| Accreditation FAQs |
What is Green Roof Professional (GRP) accreditation and why is it necessary? GRP accreditation is an indicator that an individual has achieved a specific knowledge level with regard to green roof design, project management, installation and maintenance. This new professional designation will:
Passing the exam indicates that you have demonstrated knowledge and skills deemed important by the green roof industry at a given point in time. It is not a form of licensure, and is not an indication of professional competency in the field. For example, an individual may become a LEED Accredited Professional under the US or CA Green Building Councils. However this does not mean they are ‘competent’ to design a green building. What benefits are there to being an accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP)?Accredited Green Roof Professionals will be ideally positioned to be the professional of choice on green roof projects. Their roles will likely be to:
In what cities will the exam be delivered?Click here for a list of exam dates and locations.Do I have to take every one of the four courses in order to take the exam?It is highly recommended that you take all the courses unless you already have sufficient multidisciplinary green roof knowledge and expertise, in which case you may write the exam without having taken them. At a minimum you should purchase all of the course manuals and study them. Manuals are available from the Green Infrastructure Store.Who can become an accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP)? Is this only for architects and landscape architects, i.e. those on the design side?Anyone can take the exam. Those on the installation side will also benefit from having the designation. They may also require additional training associated with the installation of specific systems provided by manufacturers.What material will be on the exam i.e. is it everything in the course manuals?You will be tested on the body of knowledge contained in the four courses (101, 201, 301, 401).What happens if I took the first edition of Green Roof Design 101, which has since been updated? Will this mean there are going to be some questions that I won’t be able to answer?No, courses are being updated all the time but the body of knowledge that you will be tested on will remain constant.What is GRHC doing to increase the market demand for accredited Green Roof Professionals (GRPs)?GRHC has already been actively promoting the accreditation program through its Living Architecture Monitor magazine, web site, conference, and courses. An aggressive marketing campaign began in 2008 and has continued since the launch of the exam. This campaign is designed to highlight the benefits of having an accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP) on the team. GRHC is also working with policymakers to support the GRP through procurement policies and incentives.How much will it cost to write the exam and how do I register?The cost is $495 US. Registration links for all future exams will appear here. How can I reduce the costs of becoming a Green Roof Professional (GRP)?There are several ways to save money.
How soon after I complete the exam will I know if I have passed?Results are usually made available within 2 to 3 weeks of the exam date.How long is the designation good for? Do I have to rewrite the exam at some point in the future or do I maintain my standing through continuing education credits?Standing in the program will be maintained by obtaining a minimum of 16 continuing education credits every two years. Eight of these credits will be for GRHC related activities including our conference and courses. Please click here for Accreditation Maintenance and Renewal Guidelines. A renewal fee of $95 US will also be required.Can I take the courses and the exam on line?Currently the answer is "no", but we are continually working on new and better ways to improve our course delivery and availability and will be investigating this possibility in 2010. The exam will initially be written by paper and pencil.Is this designation relevant to any other professional designation? i.e. will this help me get my LEED AP?The knowledge gained by taking the green roof courses is beneficial to understanding how they can be used to maximize LEED credits for your clients’ projects. The GRP designation is a further indication of expertise in green building, but will not assist with obtaining the LEED AP designation.Which organizations are endorsing/supporting your program?Our courses are officially endorsed by the AIA, ASLA, APLD, RCI, USGBC and a number of state/provincial associations such as the Ontario Association of Architects. Other organizations allow continuing education credits for our courses on a self-reporting basis (meaning course registrants submit for credits after the course and the organization decides if they will allow the credits). We are continually working on broadening support from key organizations.Will the exam be open book?No it will not.Is there a study guide for the exam?A Green Roof Professional Accreditation Exam Guidebook is available on our web site here.What accommodation is made for people with disabilities – learning disability or physical disability?Anyone with a disability must make this detail known when applying to write the exam and all reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate him or her.Is there a cost to re-take the exam if I fail?Yes, the cost is $495 US.How long after I fail the exam can I take it again?You can write the exam again at the next available opportunity. Exam locations and dates are listed on our web site.Do I have to be a member of GRHC to write the exam?While both members and non-members can write the exam, all GRPs are required to be GRHC Individual Members in good standing. Thus, you may wait to receive your exam results before deciding whether or not to join GRHC as a member.Do I have to be a GRHC member to renew my GRP status at the 2 year renewal date?Yes. As of January 1, 2011, all GRPs are required to be GRHC Individual Members in good standing. |
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 April 2011 17:16 ) |
