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New Sustainability Excellence platform

  • Updated

Will there be any changes to the SEA or SEP exam eligibility requirements?

No. Refer to the current Sustainability Excellence Candidate Handbook for eligibility requirements for the SEA and SEP credentials.

How will I apply for the SEP exam?

If you hold a valid SEA credential and are eligible for the SEP exam, you will be able to register using the new platform when it launches on June 29, 2022. You will submit your SEP application to GBCI. When your application has been reviewed and approved, you will be able to schedule your exam through Prometric.

How will my SEA or SEP exam be delivered?

The SEA and SEP exams are transitioning to GBCI’s delivery partner Prometric and exam candidates will have the option to take their exam at one of Prometric’s global testing centers or a remotely proctored online exam using Prometric’s ProProctor platform.

What will be the security requirements for in-person exams at test centers?

At test centers, you will be required to store your belongings in a locker. You will have access to your ID and your locker key for the duration of your exam. Then you will go through a security checkpoint, where you will be asked to empty your pockets; remove eyeglasses, roll down shirtsleeves, remove watches and fitness trackers/ monitors, remove jewelry*, and roll up pant legs for inspection; and pass through a metal detector. Upon completion of the enhanced security check-in, you will be escorted to a workstation by test center staff. You will not be able to access your belongings during the exam.

*Religious jewelry and wedding rings are exempt.

Will the hardware and software requirements for online exam delivery be changing?

Yes. Remotely proctored online exams will be delivered through Prometric’s ProProctor platform. Please review the ProProctor User Guide along with GBCI ProProctor Tips and Guidance document and the ProProctor Exam Checklist in order to ensure that your computer and workspace meet the requirements for taking your exam online.

Will the testing environment requirements for online exam delivery be changing?

Yes. Please review Prometric’s online testing environment requirements in order to ensure that your workspace is prepared for when you take your exam.

What will be the identification requirements for taking exams at a test center or online?

When the new platform launches on June 29, 2022, the identification requirements for the SEA and SEP exams, both in-person at a testing center and online via Prometric’s ProProctor platform, will change. You will be required to provide one form of valid government-issued identification that contains all the following four elements:

  1. Your first name and last name must EXACTLY match the name (in Roman characters) that you used to register for the exam
  2. A recent, recognizable photograph that looks like you
  3. Your signature
  4. Be unexpired and include an issue date and an expiration date

If your identification does not include a recent photograph, your signature, and an issue and expiration date, you must provide a secondary identification (with the same first and last name in Roman characters) that includes the outstanding required elements.

Both your primary and secondary identification (if applicable) will need to have been laminated by the issuing authority at the time of issue.

What will be the reschedule and cancellation policy for exams delivered through the new platform?

When the new platform launches on June 29, 2022, the registration and cancellation policies and fees for the SEA and SEP exams will change to the following:

  • You may reschedule or cancel your exam up to 30 calendar days prior to your exam without incurring a rescheduling fee.
  • If you reschedule or cancel your exam fewer than 30 calendar days but more than 4 calendar days before the scheduled date, you will be charged a $50 fee.
  • You cannot reschedule your exam after midnight on the third day before the scheduled appointment. (For example, Wednesday appointments cannot be rescheduled after Sunday, 11:59 p.m.)
  • If you miss your exam date and time, fail to reschedule, or cancel 3 calendar days prior to the exam, you forfeit the entire exam registration fee.

Refund Policy

Days before the original exam date

Cancellation

Reschedule

30 days or more

Yes

Yes

4-29 days

Yes, less a $50 cancellation fee

Yes, less a $50 rescheduling fee

0-3 days

No

No

What are GBCI credentials accounts?

When the new platform launches on June 29, 2022, candidates will be required to log in to a GBCI credentials account (or create a new one) in order to register for an SEA or SEP credential exam. In addition to exam registration, GBCI credentials accounts will allow users to:

  • Manage their SEA or SEP credentials
  • Download their certificate
  • Review their credential reporting period
  • Renew their credentials by logging continuing education (CE) hours.

How will I access my GBCI credentials account?

If you are an SEA or SEP credential holder, you will be sent instructions for accessing your new GBCI credentials account when the new platform launches on June 29, 2022. If you already have a USGBC account, you will be able to use the same information to log into your GBCI credentials account.

How will I use my GBCI credentials account to maintain my credential?

You will be able to log into your account and report your CE hours (previously Continuing Education Units) towards renewing your credential. CE hours will align with the CMP activities as currently outlined in the Sustainability Excellence CMP Guide. You will also be able to pay your renewal fee directly through your account.

Will there be any changes to the SEA or SEP credential maintenance requirements?

No. Refer to the current Sustainability Excellence CMP Guide for credential maintenance requirements for the SEA and SEP credentials.

What is the timeline for the transition of the SEA and SEP exams to the new platform?

SEA and SEP exams will be delivered through the current Exam Center through June 17, 2022. The exams will not be available for an 11-day blackout period between June 18 and June 28, 2022. The exams will be available again using the new registration and delivery platform on June 29, 2022.

What will happen to my currently scheduled SEA or SEP exam?

SEA and SEP exams will continue to be delivered through the current Exam Center through June 17, 2022. If your exam is scheduled on or before June 17, 2022, you can proceed to take your exam through the Exam Center. If your exam is scheduled after June 17, you will need to reschedule or your exam will be canceled and you will have to register in the new platform.

How will the transition affect my SEA or SEP exam scheduled before June 17, 2022?

SEA and SEP exams will continue to be delivered through the current Exam Center through June 17, 2022. If your exam is scheduled on or before June 17, 2022, you can proceed to take your exam through the Exam Center. However, you will not be able to reschedule your exam in the Exam Center to take place after June 17, 2022.

If you want to reschedule your exam to a date after June 17, you will need to cancel your currently scheduled exam in the Exam Center, and then re-register for your exam using the new platform when it launches on June 29, 2022. In order to receive a full refund, you must cancel your exam at least 72 hours before the scheduled time if the exam is in-person at a testing center, or at least 24 hours before the scheduled time if the exam is online.

What do I do if my SEA or SEP exam is scheduled after June 17, 2022?

You will not be able to take your SEA or SEP exam in the current Exam Center after June 17, 2022. You have the option to reschedule to an earlier date, or you can wait and register to take the exam in the new registration platform which launches on June 29, 2022.

If you want to reschedule your exam to an earlier date, log in to your account in the Exam Center and click ‘My Assessments’ in the blue menu bar. From there, you can scroll down to manage your exam registrations. You may reschedule your exam without any fee if you do so at least 72 hours before the scheduled time if the exam is in-person at a testing center, or at least 24 hours before the scheduled time if the exam is online.

If you do not reschedule your exam to a time on or before June 17, 2022, your exam will be canceled on June 13, 2022. You will receive a full refund of your exam fee within 10 business days of the cancellation. You will receive a notification of the exam cancellation and refund from the Exam Center. If you have questions about your exam fee refund, please contact sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.

If your exam is canceled, you will be sent separate instructions for re-registering for your exam using GBCI’s new exam registration platform which launches on June 29, 2022.

What happens when I pass my exam before June 17, 2022?

Candidates who pass their SEA or SEP exam in the current Exam Center before June 17, 2022, will have their certificates sent to them via email within 10 business days. They will also receive a new GBCI credentials account when the new platform launches on June 29, 2022.

When I pass my exam in the new platform, what will be my next steps?

When the new platform launches on June 23, 2022, exams will be available through GBCI’s delivery partner Prometric. Candidates who pass their SEA or SEP exams in the new platform will be able to download their certificate and manage their credential in their GBCI credentials account.

What will be different when I register for an exam in the new platform?

Exam registration will take place through a different website, using a GBCI credentials account. Exams will still be available via Prometric in-person at a test center or online via Prometric’s ProProctor platform. See the Policy Updates section for more details about the new process, security requirements, and more.

Will I still be able to cancel or reschedule my exam in the new platform?

Yes, however, there will be changes to the reschedule and cancellation policies and fees. See the new policies.

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