- What is Green Advantage®?
- What is Green Advantag®’s history?
- Why has Green Advantage® decided to pursue accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)?
- What is Green Advantage®’s relationship with USGBC, GBCI, and LEED Accreditation?
- How can Green Advantage® Certification help my project attain LEED Certification?
- How green is it?
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How do I prepare for a Green Advantage® Exam?
- What if I already have experience as a green building practitioner and prefer to take the exam without training?
- How can an applicant register and pay for a Green Advantage® Exam?
- How long is a Green Advantage® Exam and how much time do I have to complete it?
- Where and when do I take the Green Advantage® Exam and how much does it cost?
- Is the $175 exam fee refundable?
- How much advance time do I need to arrange to take an Exam?
- If I fail the Exam, may I retake it?
- Who do I contact to make arrangements to schedule an exam outside of the regularly scheduled exams?
- Does the Certification expire?
- Are the exams proctored, and what are the testing conditions?
- Will Green Advantage® share my information?
- How does Green Advantage® guarantee the integrity of the Certification process?
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If I lose my Certificate, can it be replaced?
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How does Green Advantage® use the funds?
1. What is Green Advantage®?
Green Advantage® is an environmental certification for building-related practitioners - primarily contractors, subcontractors and trades people. Certified individuals have successfully passed the Green Advantage® Certification Exam demonstrating knowledge of current green building principles, materials, and techniques. Commercial, Residential, and Commercial/Residential Certifications are available, with a specific exam required for each. Because the green building field is rapidly changing, candidates must pass a Re-certification Exam every three years in order to remain Green Advantage® Certified.
2. What is Green Advantage®’s history?
Launched with funding from a US Environmental Protection Agency grant, Green Advantage® is the result of collaboration between the Nature Conservancy, Science Applications International Corporation, and the University of Florida. As a result of successful piloting and the work of scores of professionals assisting in the development of curricula, training and exams, over 6000 building-related practitioners have taken the Green Advantage® Certification Exam. More recently, Green Advantage® Board of Directors decided to pursue American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accreditation.
3.
Why has Green Advantage® decided to pursue accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)?
At Green Advantage®, we understand that our highest duty is to maintain the integrity of the Green Advantage® Certification. This focus ensures that existing Green Advantage® Certified Practitioners, candidates for certification, and those who use Green Advantage® Certification in the hiring and selection process can trust that Green Advantage® Certified will always mean:
”Empowered by current, objective, and relevant knowledge to make informed green building decisions.”
Green Advantage® is committed to offering transparent, affordable, and high quality certification opportunities to building practitioners throughout the United States. In line with this commitment, Green Advantage® is currently working to achieve American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation as a personnel certifying body.
ANSI is the sole US representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which promulgates industry standards and facilitates their adoption for goods and services ranging from food preparation to high tech manufacturing. A widely recognized partner of industry and government, ANSI also enables voluntary, consensus-based standardization throughout the United States by certifying compliance with internationally accepted standards of excellence.
Pursuit of ANSI accreditation is one more way that Green Advantage® is continuously strengthening its offering, and represents another step towards facilitating greener building across the United States.
4. What is Green Advantage®’s relationship with USGBC, GBCI, and LEED Accreditation?
Green Advantage® is a strong supporter of the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC), USGBC Chapters, and the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
According to the USGBC, "LEED® Professional Accreditation distinguishes individuals with detailed knowledge of LEED® project certification requirements and processes and a command of integrated design principles. LEED® accreditation is awarded to building industry practitioners who successfully demonstrate these proficiencies on a comprehensive exam." The USGBC encourages its members to become LEED-Accredited. Green Advantage® Certification is designed to be a non-competitive, complementary offering that supports LEED Accreditation. Intended primarily for individuals working within the construction industry - such as contractors, subcontractors and tradespeople, Green Advantage® Certification is recommended as an additional offering for developers, architects, engineers and designers who wish to be both LEED Accredited and Green Advantage® Certified. Green Advantage® is not affiliated with any LEED products or trainings. Professionals interested in LEED Accreditation or training should look for classes that are specifically sanctioned by the USGBC for that purpose.
5.
How can Green Advantage® Certification help my project attain LEED Certification?
A LEED Innovation Credit has been granted if a significant percentage of an eligible project's building force is Green Advantage® Certified prior to the commencement of construction. Please click here for a description of the requirements.
6. How green is it?
Green Advantage® ("GA") has invested substantial resources into developing exams that are relevant and sufficiently comprehensive regarding the design and field issues that relate to building-related practitioners. GA utilizes experts in green building and statistical analysis to prepare and approve Green Advantage® Exam questions and to ensure state-of-the-art environmental certification for commercial and/or residential practitioners. Practitioners can sit for GA-Commercial, GA-Residential or GA-Commercial/Residential versions of the exam.
7. How do I prepare for a Green Advantage® Exam?
Most exam candidates choose to attend a preparatory training event of some sort prior to sitting for a Green Advantage Exam. While not required, attending a formal training event is highly recommended… (workshop and training schedule). In addition to studying materials presented in training, it is recommended that exam candidates fully review the Open-Book Exam Reference sent upon paid registration as well as the Green Advantage Exam Overview. Please note that Green Advantage®, Inc does not provide, endorse or sponsor training organizations, faculty or curriculum. While we encourage academic and professional organizations to offer preparatory training, no information regarding trainings provided through this website has been verified by this webmaster or Green Advantage®, Inc.
8.
What if I already have experience as a green building practitioner and prefer to take the exam without training?
Applicants who feel they already have sufficient knowledge of green building concepts, techniques, practices, and materials may choose to take the Exam without preparatory training. Although training is not required, Green Advantage® recommends taking a preparatory training course.
9.
How can I applicant register and pay for a Green Advantage Exam?
Applicants can register for a Green Advantage® Exam by following the prompts provided on the homepage of this website.
10.
How long is a Green Advantage® Exam and how much time do I have to complete it?
You will have 90 minutes to complete a 60 question exam.
11.
Where and when do I take the Green Advantage® Exam and how much does it cost?
All Green Advantage® Certification Exams (Commercial, Residential, or Commercial/Residential) cost $175.
Exams are offered in conjunction with group trainings, or can be taken individually at a testing site. If you sign up for a prep training for Green Advantage® exams, you should confirm that the group training offers the exam to trainees at completion of the training OR, if you wish to schedule an individual exam at a testing center within the Green Advantage network, go to Register for Exam. If you choose to take the Exam at a testing center outside the Green Advantage testing network, a proctoring fee will likely be charged by the testing center; average $35. This fee is collected from you by the testing center.
12.
Is the $175 exam fee refundable?
No, the exam fee is non-refundable.
13. How much advance time do I need to arrange to take the exam?
If you are not planning to take the exam during the session associated with your training, it is recommended that you allow 10 business days lead time to make arrangements to take the exam at a testing center. You should contact Gina at ginac@greenadvantage.org to make arrangements to take the GA Exam at a participating testing center.
14. If I fail a Green Advantage® Exam, may I retake it?
Yes, practitioners may retake a GA exam as many times as is necessary to achieve a grade of 75% or greater, but an examination fee of $175 is charged prior to each examination. Green Advantage® recommends that individuals obtain further training before re-taking the exam.
15. Who do I contact to make arrangements to schedule an exam outside of the regularly scheduled exams?
Contact Gina at ginac@greenadvantage.org to make arrangements to take the exam at a participating testing center.
16. Does the Certification expire?
Green Advantage® Certification is valid for three (3) years; the recertification date is listed on the certificate sent to all those who pass the Green Advantage® Exam. Because the green building field is rapidly changing, candidates must pass an updated exam every three years in order to remain Green Advantage® Certified.
17. Are the exams proctored, and what are the testing conditions?
Yes, all Green Advantage® Exams are proctored and are administered in an open book format. Examinees may reference any of the following resources during the exam: The Green Advantage® Open-Book Exam Reference, resources and materials from training workshops, classes, or study sessions… including trainee manuals, guides, handouts and personal notes. Prior to taking the exam a proctor will screen these materials and ask to see two forms of identification, including a picture ID.
Note that this and all other policies and procedures are subject to change at any time by Green Advantage®, Inc. The Green Advantage® website, Open Book Exam Reference, exam and other materials, policies and procedures are continually being improved; input from training organizations, faculty and curriculum developers is encouraged and welcome. Ideas, concerns and suggestions may be forwarded to suggestions@greenadvantage.org.
18. Will Green Advantage® share my information?
It is GA’s policy to release an individual's score, address, or other information only if the individual taking the exam approves. For example, many of those who are Green Advantage® Certified choose to list their names and contact information in the Directory on the GA Website, while others prefer not to.
This policy exists in order to protect privacy and is in alignment with federal law and ethical rules regarding the release of student information as required under The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA").
Green Advantage® never shares or sells email addresses or personal information otherwise.
19. How does Green Advantage® guarantee the integrity of the Certification process?
Applicants taking the paper/pencil version or electronic version of the GA Exam must do so during an authorized, proctored time. A photo ID is required in order to confirm the identity of anyone sitting for the Exam. The proctor verifies the individual's identification at the beginning of the exam, and when completed, the proctor places the exam in a sealed envelope that is sent to Green Advantage® for scoring.
20. If I lose my Certificate, can it be replaced?
Yes, we will be glad to reissue your certificate at any time during your certification; there will be a $10 charge to cover materials, shipping and handling
21. How does Green Advantage® use the funds?
Examination fees help support the creation, development and continual updating of Certification Exams, exam proctoring, grading of the exams, Certification Board activity, maintenance of a certified-practitioner database, and educational and related marketing programs. Green Advantage®, Inc. is a non-profit organization.
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