Developed with rigorous international standards, the Sustainability Excellence credentials provide third-party verification of competency in the profession to a rapidly growing community.
Business leaders are looking for credibility when it comes to sustainability hires. In a space exploding with applicants, set yourself apart with demonstrated familiarity with the core issues, trends, concepts, and frameworks of sustainability.
In addition to preparing candidates to sit for the Sustainability Excellence credentialing exams, the SEA and SEP study materials offer an in-depth description of the sustainability field. They are often used as professional reference guides in both academic and field settings.
Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) Credential
Originally created by ISSP, the SEA credential demonstrates an understanding of core sustainability concepts and best practices. The SEA is designed for those who are new to the sustainability field, including students, recent graduates or professionals interested in incorporating sustainability concepts into their work. The SEA is a prerequisite for the SEP.
Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) Credential
The SEP demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience in the sustainability field. Candidates must earn the SEA first and demonstrate professional mastery in key fields, including stakeholder engagement, and implementation of sustainable strategies. The SEP is intended to recognize experts who are at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable world.
As developer of the credential, ISSP provides education to support exam preparation, credential maintenance, and professional development. Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) acquired the credential in 2019 and is responsible for administering and delivering the certificates.
You can register for the exams on the GBCI website, and we encourage reviewing the SEA Candidate Handbook alongside the study materials.
Purchase prep materials and create a study schedule for yourself. Each study bundle includes the Study Guide, Sustainability Terms Flash Cards, and Exam Practice Questions.
Read the Candidate Handbook. Then, create or log into a GBCI site account and visit the credentials page to register for the exam. The exam can be taken online from home or in a testing center.
After passing the exam, you’ll earn a professional credential to share with your network and prospective employers. It's valid for two years and requires ongoing professional development.
Move your career forward in sustainability. The SEA study materials will give you familiarity with the core issues, trends, concepts and frameworks of sustainability. The SEA Exam Study Bundle includes:
ISSP members receive significant discounts on the SEA and SEP study materials and the exam. Just login to the store with your member credentials to see member pricing.
Created in alignment with the SEA Study Guide, these on-demand courses are designed for individuals who may be new to the sustainability field but who plan to incorporate sustainability concepts directly into their work. It could also be for individuals who want to demonstrate knowledge of sustainability via the SEA credential or those with expertise in a sector of sustainability that desire a broader industry understanding. Courses can be purchased individually dependent on a learner's needs.
Below are a few of the courses to get you started. You can
view all courses here.
You can find the study materials for the SEA and SEP credentials here.
The study materials are all provided via email with a digital download and are emailed to you immediately upon purchase.
If you purchased the materials and did not receive an email, please check your junk and/or spam folders.
If you are still unable to locate the email, please submit a support ticket, and we'll reply within 3 business days.
ISSP is the education provider for the SEA and SEP credentials. However, the exam and registration process are managed by our partner, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).
You can learn more about both the SEA and SEP credentials, including registration for the exam here. We encourage you to download the SEA Candidate Handbook which contains detailed information on the exam and renewal process.
If you have any questions about this process, you can reach out to GBCI directly via email at sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.
Each credential has its own renewal requirements managed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Learn more about renewal requirements or credential maintenance.
For any additional questions, please reach out to GBCI directly via email at sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.
The exam can be scheduled to be taken at a proctoring location near you or from your home. This process is managed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).
Learn more about scheduling the exams.
For any additional questions, please reach out to GBCI directly via email at sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.
The SEA and SEP credentials are international, and there are credential holders all around the world.
The amount of time needed to prepare for an ISSP exam is dependent on each individual and their familiarity with the exam content. ISSP recommends that candidates give themselves at least a month to prepare using the ISSP study materials.
You can search for other credential holders on GBCI’s public directory.
Exam maintenance is a key component of the life cycle of an exam. It allows GBCI the opportunity to review statistical data collected over a specified period and determine which questions need to be updated or replaced to ensure the exam continues to have accurate content, a high level of integrity, and fairness. The process is seamless for candidates and should not disrupt any existing study or scheduling arrangements.
You can learn more here.
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