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What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) exam?

SEA candidates must be 18 or older. There are no specific professional or academic requirements in order to register for the SEA exam, nor is there any associated prerequisite coursework. This is because the exam itself assesses an individual’s eligibility for the credential. However, GBCI recommends that you have exposure to sustainability concepts and issues prior to testing.

What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) exam?

The Sustainability Excellence Professional credential is awarded to those practitioners who demonstrate sufficient education and knowledge of sustainability concepts and issues by passing the SEP exam as well as competence in the tasks and responsibilities required of people working in the field. SEP applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Pass the SEA exam
  • Submit an application providing evidence of eligibility for the SEP exam, including:
    • Evidence of a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent
    • Evidence of one of the following:
      • At least 5 years of sustainability-related professional experience within the last 10 years; or
      • At least 4 years of sustainability-related professional experience within the last 8 years and an additional year of full-time sustainability-related education or training; or
      • At least 3 years of sustainability-related professional experience within the last 6 years and an additional 2 years of full-time sustainability-related education or training
    • Three (3) references attesting to your work as a sustainability professional.
      As a reminder, SEP applications must be reviewed and accepted before applicants may schedule the SEP credential exam. In the event of appealing an SEP application decision, the candidate is only permitted to provide clarifying information that supports the original application. No new information may be provided. Please submit your appeal by email to GBCI.

Can I skip the SEA credential and apply directly for the SEP credential if I am an experienced sustainability professional?

No. All SEP credential exam candidates must hold a valid SEA credential when applying, without exception. This is because the content for the two credential exams is integrated; holding an SEP credential attests to one’s mastery of all domains of sustainability knowledge which form the basis of the program, including the domain tested by the SEA exam.

How much does it cost to take the SEA and SEP exams?

Please see exam pricing for the SEA exam fee and the SEP exam and application fees.

How do I prepare for the Sustainability Excellence exams?

SEA exam candidates should start by reading the Exam Specifications section of the SEA Candidate Handbook, which outlines the Core Sustainability Concepts tested by the exam.

Similarly, SEP exam candidates should start by reading the Exams Specifications section of the SEP Candidate Handbook, which details the domains of knowledge tested by the exam.

Have questions about ISSP offerings or study materials? Review their credential FAQs or reach out to ISSP support.

 

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