- What is the difference between a personnel certification and a certificate program?
- Who is eligible to take an exam?
- How are exams administered?
- How do I register?
- How do I prepare for an exam?
- What topics are covered on each exam?
- Am I required to take exam preparation training for personnel certifications offered by GA?
- Once I register for a certification exam, how long do I have to take it?
- Where can I take an exam?
- How do I reschedule my exam?
- If I do not pass the exam, may I take it again?
- How long will I be credentialed?
- How do I make a suggestion for improvement, file a complaint or an appeal?
- Are there testing accommodations for people with special needs?
- Are my exam results confidential?
- How do I update my GA Online Directory information?
- How do I buy GA hard hat decals?
- How do I specify GACA or GACP certified personnel in my project specs?
- How can I offer training in preparation for a GA personnel certification exam?
- Does Green Advantage offer internships?
- How can I volunteer with Green Advantage?
- How does one gain appointment to the Green Advantage International Green Builder Education Board or the National Healthcare Construction Credentialing Board?
1. What is the difference between a personnel certification and a certificate program?
Certification is a higher level personnel credential than a certificate program. Certification is more ambitious for the candidate as well as the certifying organization. Green Advantage offers both.
The chart below shows some of the differences between the two types of credentials.
Certification Certificate
| 1. Based upon competency assessment (regardless of training)
2. Prerequisites vary – can be revoked 3. Granted by personnel certifying body 4. Attests to demonstrated competency 5. Offers signifier that can be placed after certificant’s name, for example: John Smith, GACA® 6. Renewal required – can be renewed through ongoing requirements | 1. Based upon training followed by exam to determine whether candidate learned material presented in training2. Prerequisites vary – cannot be revoked
3. Granted by certificate issuer 4. Attests to course completion 5. No signifier granted, though certificate can be listed on resume 6. No renewal – time-limited validity training curriculum |
2. Who is eligible to take an exam?
Green Advantage Certified Associate® (GACA®) candidate must:
- Be at least 16 years of age. Written parent or guardian permission is required for youth 16 or 17 years old
- Pay exam fee, or have fee paid by a third party on your behalf
- Sign GACA Registration Agreement
- Note: Training in preparation for the exam is recommended, but not required
Green Advantage Certified Practitioner® (GACP®) candidate must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Pay exam fee, or have fee paid by a third party on your behalf
- Sign GACP Registration Agreement
- Note: GACA certification is NOT required as a prerequisite
- Note: Training in preparation for the exam is recommended, but not required
Pre-Construction Risk Assessment/Infection Control Risk Assessment (PCRA/ICRA) Certificate Program candidate must:
- Attend 12 hours of training
- Pass the exam upon completion of training
3. How are exams administered?
The GACA and GACP written exam are administered electronically through remote proctoring, and in paper/pencil format. Paper/pencil format is administered by a Green Advantage proctor to groups of 8 or greater candidates. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the paper/pencil format is rarely used.
The PCRA/ICRA Certificate Program exam is administered electronically through remote proctoring following completion of training.
GACA or GACP:
Go to the Register page of the Green Advantage website for details.
PCRA/ICRA Certificate Program:
Go to the Register page of the Green Advantage website for details.
5. How do I prepare for an exam?
Green Advantage offers the following certification exam preparation materials:
Certification Exam Overviews:
These important preparation resources are provided for each written certification exam: GACA and GACP. The purpose of each Exam Overview is to acquaint you with the topics that are covered on a given exam.
Study Guides:
Green Advantage publishes a Study Guide for the GACP and GACA written exams. The associated Study Guide is sent to you when you register for the exam. The Study Guide may also be supplied to students taking a Green Advantage-approved course at an educational institution (i.e. college, university, vocational school, high school). Exam questions are drawn from this Study Guide, so it is a very important document for you to read and thoroughly review.
The Study Guide is not designed to replace training, but it will assist you in preparing for your certification exam. If you register online, you receive the associated Study Guide attached to your registration confirmation email. If you do not register online, you should receive the appropriate Study Guide through the organization that is registering on your behalf or the educational institution well in advance of your exam date. If your exam date is approaching, and you have not received your Study Guide, please contact Green Advantage for assistance at exams@greenadvantage.org.
PCRA/ICRA Certificate Handbook:
The PCRA/ICRA Certificate Program Handbook (linked here) outlines the PCRA training that is immediately followed by an exam.
6. What topics are covered on each exam?
GACA Certification Exam:
This exam focuses on ensuring successful green building projects, reducing risks associated with green building, and applying green building methods, materials, and 300+ best practices related to building performance, worker & occupant health and safety, crew collaboration, disaster resistance, and costs.
GACP Certification Exam:
This exam focuses on ensuring successful green building projects, reducing risks associated with green building, and applying green building methods, materials, and 800+ best practices related to meet or exceed green project goals for building performance, worker and occupant health and safety, crew collaboration, disaster resistance, and costs.
PCRA/ICRA Certificate Program Exam: The purpose of the Certificate Program (12 hours of training and exam) is to prepare construction personnel across trades and regardless of whether serving in a supervisory or non-supervisory capacity foundational principles that promote understanding about and successful delivery of PCRA/ICRA related activity. Targeted learning outcomes include: understanding the need for PCRA/ICRA, key concepts related to infection control during construction, Interim Life Safety Measures, and health and safety during healthcare facility construction.
7. Am I required to take exam preparation training for personnel certifications offered by GA?
No, candidates for GACA or GACP personnel certification are not required to take training courses. However, Green Advantage recommends training in preparation for the exam, and the GA website provides information on third-party organizations offering exam prep trainings. (Visit www.greenadvantage.org for more information on trainings.) As a certifying body, GA does not provide, endorse, or sponsor certification preparation trainings.
8. Once I register for a certification exam, how long do I have to take it?
All GA registrations expire after twelve months from the day payment is made. If a candidate does not take the exam within one year from the date of voucher or individual payment, the party purchasing the voucher or the candidate forfeits the registration fee. GA Exam® fees are non-refundable. To take the exam after one year, the candidate must re-register and repay. Note that additional restrictions may apply to group voucher programs.
Electronic Exam:
Electronic exams for the GACA or GACP certifications and for the PCRA/ICRA exam are administered through remote proctoring over the candidate’s PC or desktop computer.
Paper/pencil Exam:
Paper/pencil credentialing exams for the GACA, GACP or PCRA/ICRA credentials are taken in groups hosted by an employer, training organization, union, or other institutional host. These exams are offered at sites that meet GA testing center criteria. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, paper/pencil exams are rarely administered.
10. How do I reschedule my exam?
- Candidates who wish to reschedule their exam can easily due so by adjusting the date/time for their remote proctored exam. Rescheduling can be done via the scheduler link sent to candidates.
- If a candidate fails to attend the remote proctored exam session as scheduled, a rescheduling fee applies. See this link for a fee schedule.
- If a candidate is registered for a group exam but cannot make it, the candidate may convert that registration to take a remote proctored exam.
11. If I do not pass the exam, may I take it again?
Yes, a candidate may retake the exam as many times as is necessary to pass, however, the candidate must pay the exam retake fee each time the exam is retaken. See fee schedule.
12. How long will I be credentialed?
GACA is a 5-year certification.
GACP is a 5-year certification.
PCRA/ICRA Certificate Program certificates awarded after May 2022 are valid for 5 years. Previously issued certificates are valid until December 31, 2022.
13. How do I make a suggestion for improvement, file a complaint or an appeal?
Green Advantage strives to maintain the integrity of its certifications by assuring fair conditions and providing timely responses to complaints, grievances and appeals. If a candidate has a complaint, grievance or appeal, the candidate may submit it in writing to Green Advantage at the address below, or send an email to exams@greenadvantage.org. The description of the problem should be specific. GA reviews all complaints, grievances, and appeals internally and responds to such communications within two weeks.
Green Advantage, Inc.
P.O. Box 3170
Frederick, MD 21705-3170
14. Are there testing accommodations for people with special needs?
Any exam candidate requiring testing accommodation(s) should contact exams@greenadvantage.org immediately after registering for an exam. If the disability is documented by a licensed psychologist or physician, GA will work with the candidate to identify how to accommodate the candidate’s needs appropriately while maintaining the overall fairness of exam testing conditions. GA reserves the right to request documentation of the candidate’s disability from a physician or psychologist.
15. Are my exam results confidential?
An exam score is released only to the test taker, unless Green Advantage® receives a written, signed statement authorizing the release to another party, or unless the exam fee was paid by a third party. In the event that an employer or another third party, such as a governmental agency, has paid for the exam, the results in pass-fail terms may be released to that entity. GA may also disclose an examinee’s account information if compelled by a governmental authority or required under applicable law or if required by an accrediting body. If GA is required by law to release account information, unless prohibited by law, notification is given to the examinee.
16. How do I update my GA Online Directory information?
Login, go to the Dashboard and follow the prompts.
Click here to see the available items.
18. How do I specify GACA or GACP certified personnel in my project specs?
The Bidding and Specifications Guide contains suggested bidding and specification requirements and language for projects to be constructed in compliance with the GA30, the GA3030.
19. How can I offer training in preparation for a GA personnel certification exam?
Green Advantage welcomes individuals and organizations interested in providing prep trainings for its certification exams. We offer free resources to help trainers deliver successful trainings, and we list certification training providers’ contact information on our website as a resource for exam takers.
GA recommends that trainers who offer certification exam prep training follow steps listed below:
- Step 1. Review prep resource materials and trainer information that can be found on the Green Advantage website.
- Step 2. Attain the certification yourself before offering prep training for GACA or GACP
- Step 3. Develop, or purchase from another training provider, training materials (e.g. slide deck, flash cards) based on the appropriate GA Study Guide.
- Step 4. If arranging a group exam, send an email to info@greenadvantage.org to schedule the exam at the completion of your training and study period.
- Step 5. Hold your training
To have your GA prep training provider information or products listed on the GA website, contact info@greenadvantage.org. Further questions or feedback? Please email GA at info@greenadvantage.org or call (540) 822-9449. GA encourages your inquiries and input!
20. Does Green Advantage offer internships?
Yes, Green Advantage offers internships and research opportunities to talented students and professionals in many disciplines, including architecture, construction management, sustainability, statistics, communications, marketing, public policy, journalism, etc. These opportunities allow individuals to make an impact, develop personally and professionally, gain hands-on experience in environmental research and education while promoting environmentally sensitive construction practices that support social and economic sustainability. To learn about available opportunities or to suggest new projects, an interested party should contact ces@greenadvantage.org.
21. How can I volunteer with Green Advantage?
Volunteering can provide valuable business experience and build skills while working for a great cause. An interested party should contact Green Advantage at ces@greenadvantage.org.
22. How does one gain appointment to the Green Advantage International Green Builder Education Board or the National Healthcare Construction Credentialing Board?
Board members are appointed by the Green Advantage Governing Board of Directors. Nominations should be directed to info@greenadvantage.org.