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New Sustainability Excellence CMP renewal policy

  • Updated

Summary

Effective December 4, 2026, GBCI is launching an updated renewal policy for Sustainability Excellence credential holders. The updated policy is designed to incentivize on-time renewal through an updated fee structure, and offer grace, flexibility, and support to credential holders who are unable to meet their credential renewal date.

Full policy details are in the Sustainability Excellence Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) Guide, and common questions about policy changes, fee structure, and credential status are answered below.

What is the new credential renewal policy?

Effective December 4, 2026, GBCI will update the renewal policy for all Sustainability Excellence credential holders. These changes incentivize on-time renewal, which can be completed up to a year before a credential expires and offer a clear path forward if you miss your renewal date. The changes will affect three key areas: the renewal process, pricing, and user experience.

Currently, credential holders have a 30-day grace period after the renewal date to report hours previously earned within the two-year reporting period and renew.

With the new policy, the 30-day grace period is extended to a 12-month grace period, allowing you extra time to earn continuing education (CE) hours without changing your current reporting period. However, please note that this additional time will be deducted from your next reporting period. A reactivation fee will be assessed for late renewals under the new policy, and discounts will be applied to those who renew early. Learn more about the new credential renewal fee schedule.

Note: Your reporting period will not change. You can confirm your reporting period and renewal date by logging into your Sustainability Excellence account and reviewing the information under "Credential Maintenance."

Will my reporting period change with the new credential renewal policy?

No. Your reporting period will not change. You can confirm your reporting period by logging into your Sustainability Excellence account and reviewing the information under "Credential Maintenance."

How will this new credential renewal policy affect me?

If your Sustainability Excellence credential renewal date (the last day of your reporting period) is before December 4, 2026, you must earn and report continuing education (CE) hours and renew your credential within 30 days after your renewal date. If you need additional time, you will be eligible for the new 12-month grace period, and the new fee schedule will apply.

Renewal fee every 2 years USGBC and ISSP members Non-members
SEA Renewal $75 $150
SEP Renewal $100 $200
Effective December 4, 2026: Late renewals are subject to a $50 late renewal fee. Refer to the CMP Guide for additional information.

If your Sustainability Excellence credential renewal date (the last day of your reporting period) is on or after December 4, 2026, no action is required. The new policy will take effect on your next credential renewal.

Note: Your reporting period does not change. You can confirm your reporting period and renewal date by logging into your Sustainability Excellence account and reviewing the information under "Credential Maintenance."

What is my renewal date?

Your renewal date is the last day of your reporting period. It is the last day you are eligible for early renewal. The day after your renewal date, your credential becomes inactive.

You can find your renewal date by visiting your GBCI credentials page and downloading your SEA or SEP certificate.

What are the pricing changes for the new credential renewal policy?

Under the new policy, the grace period will be extended from 30 days to a full year, allowing additional time to earn continuing education (CE) hours outside the normal renewal window. Reactivation fees will apply to those who renew after the 30 days into the new grace period.

New policy (effective Dec. 4, 2026) 2-year reporting period: 

  • Year 1: Earn and report CE hours
  • Year 2: Earn and report CE hours, renew credential
  • After Year 2: 12-month grace period during which credential is inactive period (Year 1 of next reporting period). Earn and report CE hours, renew credential (the additional time used will be deducted from the next reporting period).

What is my credential status?

With the new credential renewal policy, which will be implemented on December 4, 2026, your credential can fall into one of three different statuses within your most recent reporting period: active, inactive, or expired.

  • Active: You are up to date with your continuing education (CE) hours and have renewed your credential within the last two years. Your credential is within your current reporting period, and you are in the process of earning the required CE hours to maintain and/or renew your credential. Learn more about the benefits of early renewal.
  • Inactive: Your credential has lapsed and is currently outside the 2-year reporting period window. You have 12 months from the day your credential lapsed to earn and report your missing CE hours and renew your credential. It's important to note that the reporting period will not change. However, any additional time utilized within the 12-month period will be considered in the next reporting period. In other words, credential holders will use a portion of their upcoming reporting period, leading to a shorter duration for their next reporting period. Please note that a reactivation fee will apply to those who renew 30 days into the new grace period.
  • Expired: Your credential lapsed more than 12 months ago and is no longer valid. We encourage you to consider retesting to join our community of green building professionals. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from completing your credential maintenance requirements in your 2-year reporting period, you must reach out to GBCI before your reporting period ends to explain your situation. For example, GBCI will consider situations such as military deployment or a credential holder’s long-term illness. Requests must be submitted to GBCI at least 30 days before the end of your reporting period. Please be prepared to provide supporting documentation. GBCI reviews requests on a case-by-case basis and does not guarantee any extensions.

Where can I find my credential status?

Your credential status can be found by logging in to your Sustainability Excellence account and looking under "Credential Maintenance" on your Profile page. Learn more about your credential status.

Will my reporting period change if I renew my Sustainability Excellence credential during the inactive period?

Your reporting period will not change. Any additional time utilized within the 12-month grace period will be considered in the next reporting period. In other words, credential holders will use a portion of their upcoming reporting period, leading to a shorter duration for their next reporting period; you are, in effect, "eating into" the next two-year reporting period.

Can I renew my credential early?

Yes. You may renew your credential one year into your reporting period after completing the required continuing education (CE) hours. Once you have successfully renewed your credential within the current two-year reporting period, any additional CE hours earned can be reported for the ongoing reporting period. However, these additional hours cannot be counted towards the next reporting period.

Please note that you can start earning and reporting CE hours towards your new reporting period once your new reporting period begins.

Am I eligible for early renewal?

You are eligible for the early renewal rate when renewing your Sustainability Excellence credential within the active two-year reporting period.

For those choosing to renew within the first 30 days of the 12-month inactive grace period, the renewal fee remains unchanged. However, renewing beyond the initial 30-day window, during the 12-month grace period, will incur an additional late renewal fee of $50.

Can I continue to earn and report CE hours after renewing my credential early?

Yes. You may continue to earn and report continuing education (CE) hours for your current report period. However, these CE hours will not count towards your new reporting period. You can start earning and reporting CE hours towards your new reporting period once your new reporting period begins.

How will my CE hours be tracked and recognized during my inactive status?

If, while earning continuing education (CE) hours for your current reporting period, you exceed the minimum requirement and earn additional hours, those extra hours will be carried forward and counted toward your next reporting period. This means that the surplus hours will be credited and applied to fulfill the CE requirements for the next reporting period once you renew your credential.

Please note that CE hours within a single activity cannot be divided between two reporting periods. All hours from a particular activity can only be reported towards one reporting period. Therefore, the hours earned from one activity will be attributed entirely to a single reporting period and cannot be split across multiple reporting periods.

Why is my credential no longer valid?

If your credential lapsed more than 12 months ago, it means that your credential expired and is no longer valid. We encourage you to consider retesting to join our community of Sustainability Excellence professionals.

Why do I have to retest for my Sustainability Excellence credential?

You will have to retest if your credential status is expired. Since your credential is no longer valid, your only option is to retake the Sustainability Excellence Associate exam.

What happens if I do not complete my continuing education requirements?

If you do not complete your continuing education (CE) requirements by the end of your two-year reporting period, your Sustainability Excellence credential lapses and becomes inactive. You will have 12 months from the day your credential lapsed to earn and report your missing CE hours and renew your credential. It's important to note that the reporting period will not change; however, any additional time utilized within the 12-month period will be considered in the next reporting period. In other words, credential holders will use a portion of their upcoming reporting period, leading to a shorter duration for their next reporting period. Credential reactivation fees may apply upon renewal.

If your credential lapsed more than 12 months ago, it is expired and no longer valid. To regain a credential after expiration, you must register and retake the exam as a new candidate. You will be responsible for all applicable fees.

Also, as per the GBCI Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy, upon expiration of the credential, you must cease the use of the credential and logo.

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