FAQS

To have a member of the SITES team speak at your next conference or event, please fill out the Speaker Request Form.

Population growth and development are causing our communities to use more resources than ever before, which means more waste and a negative impact on the environment. Traditional land development and land use decisions often underestimate or ignore healthy ecosystems. Sustainable land development is cost effective, better for the land and fosters resiliency.

Through thoughtful design and management, landscapes can be developed to help sustain the natural world we live in by incorporating native vegetation, healthy soils and existing ecosystems. Our communities depend on the functions of ecosystems, which have nutrient-rich soil and provide us with clean air and water.

Landscapes, infrastructure and buildings are often designed without regard to their harmful impacts on scarce resources, underlying ecological systems and quality of life in the community.

The Sustainable SITES Initiative aims to weave development of healthy natural ecosystems with the landscape of daily human activity, via the spaces and places we inhabit, by providing a systematic, comprehensive set of guidelines to model development practices after healthy systems and processes.

Sustainable landscapes provide ecosystem services and create ecologically resilient communities better able to withstand and recover from floods, droughts, wildfires and other catastrophic events. SITES-certified landscapes additionally help reduce water demand, filter and reduce stormwater runoff, provide wildlife habitat, reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, improve human health and increase outdoor recreation opportunities.

The SITES certification process allows projects to benchmark against performance criteria. The process is performed through SITES Online, which is a clean and easy tool to allow for easy documentation. SITES Online also helps with managing the SITES project team and tracking the project from start to finish.

The SITES Rating System is a 200-point system with four certification levels of achievement (projects must meet a minimum of 70 points to achieve certification). The 18 prerequisites within the rating system are required, plus the minimum number of credits to achieve the required certification level.

A SITES certification involves registering the project with the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI); working through the SITES prerequisites and credits through a process with an integrated design team; applying for SITES certification by submitting a completed certification application and paying the fee; and receiving the certification decision after the formal review process is complete.

Please visit the Guide to SITES certification for more information.

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) administers a SITES certification. GBCI is the only certification and credentialing body within the green business and sustainability industry to exclusively administer project certifications and professional credentials and certificates of LEED, PEER, WELL, SITES and GRESB.

Registration and certification fees are flat, not based on project size. View our fee table.

The SITES Rating System can apply to development projects located on sites with or without buildings. Your site must have been constructed within the last two years and be at least 2,000 square feet in order to be eligible to apply for a SITES certification. Eligible sites include:

• Open spaces: local, state and national parks; botanic gardens; arboretums
• Streetscapes and plazas
• Parking lots
• Commercial: retail and office areas; corporate campuses
• Residential: neighborhoods or individual yards
• Educational/Institutional: public and private campuses; museums; hospitals
• Infrastructure
• Government
• Military
• Industrial parks
• Golf courses
• Cemeteries

To get started with SITES, your project team may want to view:

• The SITES Rating System is available for download; this free download includes the SITES v2 rating system, a complete set of prerequisites and credits used to measure site sustainability, and a corresponding scorecard.
• The Guide to SITES certification describes the certification process and also includes information on fees.
• The SITES v2 Reference Guide contains the v2 Rating System plus additional information for projects pursuing certification, including what submittal documentation is needed to meet the requirements, guidance on how to do calculations and prepare documentation, resources and additional definitions.
• The SITES webinar series provides an overview of the SITES program and the benefits of sustainable landscapes.

Review our PR Guidelines for ways to promote your project's recent certification.

In addition to the SITES v2 Rating System and Reference Guide, please download a copy of our complimentary slide presentation called the SITES Client Deck that outlines the business case for SITES.

We'd love to have you join our mailing list to receive the most up-to-date information about SITES. Visit www.sustainablesites.org and enter your name and email address at the bottom of the page to subscribe to our monthly updates.

For environmental designers, their clients, and the general public, SITES offers several significant benefits and values:

• SITES advances best practices in landscape architecture and other environmental design professions,
• SITES may help design professionals fulfill their health, safety, and welfare responsibilities for licensure,
• clients can be assured that their project has achieved rigorous, field-tested standards for sustainability,
• clients can market the SITES certification of their projects (as many do for the LEED® green building program), and
• SITES is ethically responsible, protects natural systems for present-day use and appreciation, and preserves ecosystems and their essential services for future generations.

In short, we:

• provide the SITES v2 Rating System, Scorecard, and in-depth SITES v2 Reference Guide full of resources
• offer case studies on our website
• answer questions via email at any time (via sites@gbci.org)
• after registration, we offer access to worksheets and calculators, SITES Online portal and provide one-on-one, project-specific support
• we assist teams outside of the US to create equivalent requirements
• we assist project teams pursuing both SITES and LEED
• offer optional pre-review calls with GBCI reviewers (email sites@gbci.org to schedule)
• provide SITES review results
• post certification - we provide a Certificate, press kit, press release and feature the project prominently on our website.

GBCI provides support to project teams pursuing SITES certification throughout the process—from pre-design through post-certification—through a variety of tools and project-specific one-on-one support. Our team will work with project teams to help identify local resources, answer eligibility and prerequisite requirements and field technical questions. At each stage of review, project teams have the opportunity to speak directly with their reviewer. Post certification, GBCI provides a SITES Certificate along with review comments, a press release and media kit to help celebrate the successes of a project team. SITES Certified projects are then listed on our website and showcased through our PR team.

Yes, SITES may be applied worldwide and we'd love to have projects from outside of the United States participate in SITES certification. Our team is more than happy to work with project teams on a one-on-one basis to adapt US references, standards and guidelines to localized resources, where applicable. 

A project team can choose to have GBCI review their project’s plans and intended design and construction strategies to see how it aligns with SITES criteria rather than, or prior to a full certification review. This review pathway is called Precertification and it is available to all SITES registered projects for a fee.

We offer precertification to help you determine which credits and prerequisites your project is likely to achieve during the full review, to demonstrate your commitment to site sustainability and resilience. It can also help market the unique and valuable features of your project to attract community support, funders and even influence permitting in some localities. For more information, please contact sites@gbci.org.

Precertification* is an optional review pathway available for all SITES registered projects. We offer precertification to help you determine which credits and prerequisites your project is likely to achieve during the full review, to demonstrate your commitment to site sustainability and resilience. It can also help market the unique and valuable features of your project to attract community support, funders and even influence permitting in some localities.

The project will receive a SITES Precertification Worksheet to guide the process. The Precertification Worksheet allows you to decide your compliance path for each required prerequisite and each credit that you will be pursuing. In the worksheet, you’ll also describe your strategy for meeting the requirements of that credit and the pathway that you’ve chosen. You will also complete your preliminary scorecard to demonstrate which and how many points you will be pursuing. Once the compliance pathway and strategy for all prerequisites and pursued credits (must be enough to achieve certification) has been approved by GBCI, the project will achieve SITES Precertification.

A Precertified project can also choose to continue to full certification to demonstrate their leadership in site sustainability and resilience for their built project, and to join the growing number of SITES certified projects around the world. For more information, please contact sites@gbci.org

*Please note that precertification expires three years after achievement.

Yes, you can contact GBCI for a refund. However, we encourage you not to delay earning your credential and to schedule a remotely proctored online exam. Before deciding if an online exam would suit your needs, please review the ProProcter User Guide and complete a systems readiness check.

If you already have an exam scheduled at a Prometric test center and wish to change the delivery method to an online exam, you will first need to cancel your original appointment by visiting prometric.com/gbci and then schedule your online exam.

You have the option of taking a Test Drive which will provide you the opportunity to take a 30-minute ‘dry-run” of the complete check-in and test delivery process through Prometric’s test centers or online via the ProProctor platform. To learn about the Test Drive and schedule an appointment, please visit the Test Drive page.

Upon scheduling your LEED exam with Prometric, you will receive an “Appointment Confirmation” email sent by Prometric (donotreply@prometric.com) which will include your exam date and time. Note that the exam time will be written in written in the 24-hour notation in the form hh:mm (e.g., 15:00 to denote 3:00 P.M, or 03:00 to denote 3:00 A.M.) along with your time zone.

Another way to confirm your exam appointment date and time is to visit prometric.com/gbci and confirm your exam appointment by entering your 16-digit confirmation number included in your “Appointment Confirmation” email and entering the last four characters of your last name. If you are not able to locate the confirmation email, please check your spam, junk or clutter folders.

A four-function calculator is available on screen as part of your test center and remotely proctored online exam. If you are taking your exam at a test center and would prefer to use a physical calculator, you may use one that is supplied by Prometric at the test center.

Note that physical calculators are not permitted during remotely proctored online exams.

Due to the global backlog of candidates impacted by COVID-19 test center closures, this increased volume of candidates using Prometric’s exam scheduling system is leading to longer than usual wait times during peak hours. GBCI recommends accessing the exam scheduling system either early in the morning or later in the evening.

Yes, you can contact GBCI for a refund. However, we encourage you not to delay earning your credential and to schedule a remotely proctored online exam. Before deciding if an online exam would suit your needs, please review the ProProcter User Guide and complete a systems readiness check.

If you already have an exam scheduled at a Prometric test center and wish to change the delivery method to an online exam, you will first need to cancel your original appointment by visiting prometric.com/gbci and then schedule your online exam.

A SITES AP is an individual who possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to support the SITES certification process, including participating in the design and development process, supporting and encouraging integrated design, managing the application and certification process, and providing advocacy and education for the adoption of SITES.

The SITES AP exam is available in English.

Log in to your SITES Online account using your existing USGBC site user account or creating a new account if you do not have one.

When you register for the exam, make sure your name is entered exactly as it appears on the legal ID that you will use when you take your exam. If your native language utilizes non-Roman characters, be sure to use Roman characters when entering your name in your site-user account and when registering for the exam.

Once registered, you will be redirected to prometric.com/gbci to schedule your exam to take it either at a Prometric Test Center or as a remotely proctored online exam.

After you successfully schedule your exam appointment, you will see a 16-digit confirmation number on the screen, and you will also receive an auto-generated email from Prometric. Record your confirmation number. You will need this confirmation number to confirm, cancel or reschedule your exam appointment.

If you would like to take your exam at a Prometric test center near you, you can locate the nearest testing If you would like to take your exam at a Prometric test center near you, go to the Prometric website to locate the nearest test center within 250 miles of your location and view the availability.

If you would like to schedule the remote proctored online option, you will first need to ensure that your computer meets the technical specification (See Pre-Exam Checklist ), and space within you intend to take your exam meets the testing environment requirements. Once you have verified your computer meets the minimum system requirements click here to schedule your online exam.

If you have a scheduled exam at a Prometric test center and would like to reschedule it for a remotely proctored online exam, you will first need to cancel your exam at the test center. Then follow to the link to schedule a remotely proctored online exam.

Please note: You will receive a new confirmation email. If you do not, please contact Prometric immediately to confirm that your exam was reschedule.

You can review the technical requirements in the ProProctor User Guide. Perform a system readiness check at least seven (7) days before your exam to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements.

For specific instructions on how to install the ProProctor application, follow the instructions in the ProProctor Software Installation Guide for either a Windows or Mac operating system. In addition, check your antivirus software to ensure that the ProProctor application is added to the exclusions list and is excluded from the antivirus scan scope while taking your online exam.

If you are having technical difficulties, refer to Prometric’s FAQ or contact ProProctor Technical Support who will provide assistance to troubleshoot errors (you may need to switch Ad-blocker software off, in order to launch the technical support chat session).

Yes. ProProctor is the application Prometric has developed for remote proctored exams. The ProProctor User Guide, provides a comprehensive overview of the application, system requirements and testing environment requirements.

First review the technical requirements in the ProProctor User Guide and perform a system readiness check before downloading and installing the ProProctor App. If you are having technical difficulties, contact ProProctor Technical Support who will provide assistance to troubleshoot errors (you may need to switch Ad-blocker software off, in order to launch the technical support chat session).

If you are using a computer issued by your employer, you may need to first contact your IT department in order to download and install the ProProctor App.

You will need to log on to ProProctor 30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam appointment. Upon logging into the Prometric site, you will be prompted to go through a series of security checks before launching your exam. You must abide by the Prometric security rules in the remote proctored environment. It is recommended you carefully read these before your scheduled exam date since you will be required to agree to them before starting your exam.

The ProProctor User Guide provides you with step-by-step instructions for how to check-in for our online exam; you should read it carefully. The check-in and security screening processes are very similar to what you would expect at a Prometric Test Center, but in an online environment. An online Prometric Readiness Agent will ask you to provide a 360-degree view of your environment using your webcam. You will need to have a small mirror to-hand so that the Readiness Agent can check your computer keyboard and screen to ensure that there is nothing attached. They will then ask you to stand up to do a visual scan of your person. This will include (but is not limited too) conducting a sleeve, pocket and glasses check. Just as at a Test Center, remember to remove jewelry and empty your pockets prior to check in.

Top tip: it is best to wear clothes that do not have pockets – it can be challenging turning-out the pockets on a pair of Jeans on camera!

It is very important that you take your exam in room with a door you can close. No one else can be in the room.

Before launching your online exam, you will have agreed to being recorded (audio and visual) for the duration of your exam. If someone else comes into the room where you are taking your exam, privacy laws require that Prometric immediately shut down your exam because the individual entering the room has not consented to being recorded. If someone enters the room where you are taking your online exam, your exam results will be invalidated, and you will forfeit the full exam fee.

Reading the questions out loud breaches exam security protocols. The content of the exam is confidential and may not be shared with anyone, which includes your remote Proctor.

A Remote Proctor will be supervising your exam during its entire duration. You must contact the Remote Proctor via chat or audio if:

• You experience a problem with your computer
• An Error message appears on the computer screen (do not clear the message)
• You need the Remote Proctor for any other reason

No, breaks are not permitted during remotely proctored online exams. It is strictly prohibited for you to be out of the webcam’s field of vision at any point while taking the exam. If you leave your seat during the exam, except when authorized to leave by the Remote Proctor at the end of the exam, your exam session and fees are forfeited.

GBCI recommends that you have exposure to SITES concepts through educational courses, volunteering, or work experience prior to testing. To sit for the SITES AP exam you must be at least 18 years of age.

GBCI complies with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require testing accommodations, you must check the box that says, “Yes, I need testing accommodations,” when you register for the exam. You and your healthcare provider each need to complete the following forms, the Candidate Form and the Provider Form, to document the disability and the need for accommodation. Each request is evaluated individually and may take up to five business days. Your request may only be sent via email to accommodations@gbci.org or faxed to (202) 545-3708. Do not mail any documents to GBCI.

Please note: for remote proctored online exams, Prometric may not be able to accommodate all requests since candidates are taking the exams in a remote location. You will be contacted by email with the status of your request.

Please see the SITES AP exam fee structure on the exam page. Your paid exam fee is good for only one exam attempt.

You have two options to take your SITES AP exam. You have the option to take your exam at a Prometric Test Center or through as a remotely proctored internet-enabled (online) exam using Prometric’s ProProctor tool.

A score of 170 or higher is required to pass the SITES AP exam. You must earn a scaled score of 170. The scaled score for all GBCI exams ranges from 125-200. The scaled score is calculated by taking the candidate’s raw score (total number of correct questions) and mapping it onto a standardized scale between 125 and 200, with the minimum competency threshold always mapped to a scaled score of 170.

Once you register and pay for your exam, you have 12 months to schedule and take your exam session.

Due to local and regional mandates in some regions, a limited number of Prometric test centers will require candidates to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to test

Candidates required to present vaccination documentation should bring forms provided to them by their healthcare provider at the time of vaccination. To view a complete list of sites that are currently requiring proof of vaccination, please visit Prometric’s Sites Requiring Proof of Vaccination page.

Please note that if you do not comply with this policy, you will not be permitted to test and you will forfeit your exam registration fee.

If you would prefer to reschedule your test center exam for a remotely proctored online exam, you will first need to cancel your exam at the test center , and then follow the link to schedule a remotely proctored online exam . Applicable rescheduling or cancellation fees may apply.

For additional information on Prometric’s global testing procedures at test centers, please click here.

You can reschedule or cancel your exam appointment by going to Prometric.com/gbci. You must have your Prometric-issued 16 digit confirmation number. You can find this number on your auto-generated email from Prometric.

• You may reschedule or reschedule your exam up to 30-days prior to your exam without incurring a rescheduling fee.
• If you reschedule an exam fewer than 30 days, but more than three days before the scheduled date, you will be charged a $50 fee.
• You cannot reschedule your exam after midnight on the third day before your scheduled exam appointment. For example, Wednesday appointments cannot be rescheduled after Sunday, 11:59 pm EST.
• If you miss your exam date or fail to reschedule at least 3 days prior to your exam, you will forfeit the entire exam registration fee.

When you reschedule your exam, you will receive a new exam confirmation email from Prometric. If you cancel, you will receive a cancellation notice. If you do not, please contact Prometric immediately to confirm your exam was rescheduled or canceled.

To receive a refund exam, you must contact GBCI. Whether you are eligible for a refund for your canceled exam depends on how far in advance you cancel your exam.

Your exam score is displayed on the screen at the end of your exam session. The score report will be emailed to you within 24 hours of your appointment. Within 72 hours, your SITES Credential account is updated and the SITES directory if you requested.

If your attempt was unsuccessful, you may register again in the same way as the initial registration. After three unsuccessful attempts, however, you must wait 90 days before submitting a new registration to GBCI. Candidates must pay the registration fee for each exam attempt.

GBCI does not release exam content or answers or allow candidates to review proprietary content under any circumstances.

Exam scoring is standardized through a computerized algorithmic process, which is applied exactly the same way to all GBCI exams that are taken. GBCI will investigate exam scores only in instances of technical malfunctions associated Prometric exam delivery.

The SITES Rating System and the SITES Reference Guide are both helpful resources. The test specifications, as well as sample questions, are also available in the SITES AP Candidate Handbook.

Yes, there are CMP requirements for the SITES AP. There has been an overall effort to align the SITES, LEED and WELL APs as much as possible. For more information about CMP requirements for both the SITES, LEED and WELL credentials, please visit the GBCI CMP Guide.

Conception: GBCI will bring together leading experts in the fields of sustainable landscape design to form a Job Analysis Committee. This committee will include landscape architects, planners, consultants, horticulturalists and water, soil and human health specialists from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The committee will be responsible for creating content areas that lay the groundwork for building the SITES AP exam.

Validation: GBCI will enlist the help of a wider group of subject matter experts, who will review the content areas and their relative importance through the SITES AP Job Analysis Survey. The survey will give experts in the sustainable landscape community an opportunity to contribute to the SITES AP credential. GBCI will then gather and analyze results to create an exam blueprint, which will outline weight distribution for exam questions by content area.

Development: Once the blueprint is finalized, GBCI will enlist subject matter experts to write and review questions to appear on the SITES AP exam. With expert consensus, a well-rounded exam will be created and launched for the SITES AP credential. The exam will be finalized and placed into the testing platform for aspiring SITES AP candidates.

During the exam, candidates may submit comments on any question(s) they believe to contain technical errors in content by using the comment button located in the navigation bar. In order to challenge an exam question, the candidate must have commented on the question and provided an explanation of their concerns. After the exam, within ten days, inform GBCI that you have left comments on your exam; in your correspondence, be sure to note the questions and the email address used to sign up for the exam, as well as the date on which you took it. GBCI will review your concerns and notify you with their finding. If you experience any problems at the Prometric test center or during a remote proctored exam, you must inform test center personnel before leaving the test center or the remote proctor prior to ending your online exam session. Prometric will draft an incident report for GBCI to review.

Because of the need for test security, GBCI will not release exam questions or answers to candidates. GBCI does not respond to complaints or challenges received more than ten days after the test date and does not respond to complaints sent to organizations other than GBCI.

GBCI does not modify exam scores under any conditions. In the event of a successful exam content appeal, you will be given the opportunity to retest; your score will not be changed. The only way to earn a SITES professional credential is to earn a 170 on the required exam(s).

Yes, the ProProctor application will work with Windows 7 or higher. A system readiness check of your computer will need to be performed at least seven (7) days before your exam date in order to confirm it is fully compatible with the ProProctor application.

For specific instructions on how to install ProProctor application in a Windows computer, please visit ProProctor Software Installation Guide for Windows OS.

Yes, the ProProctor application will work with a Mac OS X 10.13 or higher. A system readiness check of your computer will need to be performed at least seven (7) days before your exam date in order to confirm it is fully compatible with the ProProctor application.

For specific instructions on how to install ProProctor application in a Mac, please visit ProProctor Software Installation Guide for Mac OS.

Note: Some Mac users have found it helpful to temporarily switch off the Mac factory default firewall in System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Firewall in order take the online exam. Remember, ProProctor is web browser-specific and requires the current version of Google Chrome.

No, you can only use a computer or laptop to take the remotely proctored ProProctor exam.

Yes, you can use the Microsoft Surface to take the remotely proctored online exam. However, you must configure your surface in laptop mode. To learn more on how to configure your surface as laptop visit ProProctor’s FAQs.

Yes, if you have the necessary permissions to change security setting and install/launch a new program.

Prior to scheduling an online exam, you will first need to confirm with your employer’s IT department that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to your security settings (e.g. temporarily disable firewalls) and that you have permission to install Prometric’s ProProctor application. We strongly suggest that you send the General Instructions for Corporate Computers, ProProctor System Requirements and the ProProctor User Guide to your IT department so that they fully understand what is required.

Note: the ProProctor system check does NOT check your computer’s security or anti-virus settings nor whether you have the necessary permissions to install and launch ProProctor and therefore, if you have not previously checked with your employer’s IT department you may experience technical issues when trying to install and launch the ProProctor application during your scheduled exam time

Yes. ProProctor is the application Prometric has developed to deliver remotely proctored exams. The ProProctor User Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the application, system requirements, and testing environment requirements.

Download the ProProctor application at least one week in advance of your exam. To download ProProctor you will need the 16-digit confirmation number included in your “Confirmation Appointment” email sent by Prometric (donotreply@prometric.com) upon scheduling your exam. If you are not able to locate the confirmation email, please check your spam, junk or clutter folders.

No, if your webcam is integrated into your laptop and working, you do not need a separate external webcam.

Prometric has created a help section where candidates can access user manuals and guides, FAQs and common technical issues when preparing to take the online exam.

Yes. Candidates are allowed two sheets of scratch paper and either a pen or pencil during the exam. The pieces of paper and writing utensil will be examined by a proctor during the 360-degree scan of your environment that takes place before the exam. Remember, at the end of your exam you MUST tear your scratch paper into small pieces in front of your remote Proctor, BEFORE you exit your exam; if you do not, your exam results may be voided.

A digital notepad is available in ProProctor during the exam to use in lieu of the scratch sheets of paper.

Please note: Mechanical pencils or a pen that clicks are not allowed.

Review the ProProctor Software Installations Guides, the ProProctor System Requirements and perform a system readiness check before downloading and installing the ProProctor application. If you are having technical difficulties, contact ProProctor Technical Support who will provide assistance to troubleshoot errors (you may need to switch Ad-blocker software off, in order to launch the technical support chat session).

If you are using a computer issued by your employer, you may need to first contact your IT department to download and install the ProProctor application. See this FAQ for more details.

For specific instructions on how to install the ProProctor application, follow the instructions in the ProProctor Software Installation Guide for either a Windows or Mac operating system. In addition, check your antivirus software to ensure that the ProProctor application is added to the exclusions list and is excluded from the antivirus scan scope while taking your online exam.

You may visit ProProctor’s Common Technical Issues webpage to see if the issue you are experiencing is addressed in any of the common technical issues articles, and be sure to read the ProProctor User Guide from cover to cover.

For specific instructions on how to install the ProProctor application, follow the instructions in the ProProctor Software Installation Guide for either a Windows or Mac operating system. In addition, check your antivirus software to ensure that the ProProctor application is added to the exclusions list and is excluded from the antivirus scan scope while taking your online exam.

If your specific issue is not addressed, contact ProProctor Technical Support who will provide assistance to troubleshoot errors (you may need to switch Ad-blocker software off, in order to launch the technical support chat session). After 30 minutes of trouble shooting without successfully resolving the technical issue, you will be given the option by Prometric to reschedule your exam.

‘Chat’ is the best way to reach Prometric, rather than calling them by phone. In order to access Technical Support more quickly, it might be helpful to contact them outside of peak hours. Please review the ProProctor User Guide in detail (cover-to-cover) and review common technical issues prior to your exam to ensure that all system requirements are met. Remember, ProProctor is web browser-specific and requires the current version of Google Chrome.

The translated exam is presented with the English text on top and the translated text below. Please note the non-disclosure agreement, exam tutorial, and end of exam survey are in English. Do not be alarmed if you log into the ProProctor application and the initial screens are in English. Once you accept the terms of the non-disclosure agreement and complete the exam tutorial, your exam will launch both in English and the translated language. At this point, if you do not see the translated language, please contact your Remote Proctor via chat or audio.

NOTE: The primary language for all exams is English. The translation is offered solely as an aid to non-native English speakers. In the case of any discrepancies between the original English content and translated content or challenges made to the exams, the English content will be used as the basis of consideration.

Yes. All your interactions during the remotely proctored online exam will be in English, both with the Readiness Agent during the check-in process and Remote Proctor during the exam.

Once the connection is established with ProProctor, the Readiness Agent should show up within a few minutes. If the Readiness Agent does not show up within 10-15 minutes (maximum), it is most likely that the connection was not properly established and therefore, the Readiness Agent is not aware that you are waiting in the “lobby area” for virtual check-in. If this happens, you should exit the system and relaunch ProProctor. If you continue to experience an extended wait time, visit the ProProctor help page and contact technical support via chat (this is the fastest method for assistance).

Due to circumstances outside of their control (e.g., weather related closures), Prometric will on occasion cancel a candidate’s exam appointment. If this is the case, you will receive an email cancellation from Prometric and will have the option to schedule your exam as a remotely proctored online exam or at a Prometric test center. Please allow up to 5 business days for Prometric’s scheduling system to process the cancellation updates. Once the system is updated, you will be able to self-serve and reschedule your exam. Please use your current EID when rescheduling your exam.

GBCI does not advise candidates use a credit card for secondary identification for security reasons. During the online exam check-in process images are captured of a candidates ID, and as such candidates should NOT use a credit card for ID purposes for remotely proctored online exams.

This could indicate a weak internet connection. Ensure that no other devices in your home are connected to the internet. If available, use an ethernet cable connected to your internet router.

When taking the photo of your ID card:

• Make sure your face is well lit and fills the picture window in the image. Optimal camera positioning varies with each computer, but generally the best position for a headshot is approximately 12-18 inches (30-45 centimeters) from the camera, with your head centered relative to the computer screen.
• Make sure your photo identification card fills the window and your name is visible. Generally, the best position for a photo of an ID card is 8-12 inches (20-30 centimeters) from the camera, with the ID card centered relative to the camera.

If the image of your ID card is still blurry, log out of the ProProctor session and log back in.

For best internet connectivity, it is recommended that you connect with an Ethernet cable rather than using a wireless connection. Wireless connections are less stable and can lead to sudden disconnections and being dropped from the exam. If this happens, you should relaunch ProProctor to resume your exam. (Note that you will be required to go through the security check again.) If this happens three times or more times, you will be asked to reschedule your exam. Please contact gbci.org/contact for assistance with rescheduling your exam.

If you are using a wireless connection, position your device where you can receive the strongest signal.

Make sure there are no other devices (phones, tablets, gaming/video streaming devices or TVs) or users connected to your internet connection for the duration of your exam. Lack of internet bandwidth or inconsistent internet bandwidth during your exam are the most common causes of lost connection to ProProctor and your exam.

If you are disconnected from the ProProctor application three times, you will be asked by the Remote Proctor to reschedule your exam. Please contact gbci.org/contact for assistance with rescheduling your exam.

During the remote proctored online exam, audio communication between you and the Readiness Agent and Remote Proctor is crucial. For best results, use wired headphones with a microphone. Wireless Bluetooth headphones are prohibited while taking your remote proctored exam.

If you start the exam with the Bluetooth headphones, you will be required to remove them. You might be disconnected from the Readiness Agent or Remote Proctor when you disconnect the headphones. If this happens, you should log out and relaunch ProProctor to resume your exam. (Note that you will be required to go through the security check again.) If this happens multiple times, visit the ProProctor help page and contact technical support via chat.

In addition to reviewing the ProProctor User Guide in its entirety, the Prometric appointment confirmation email and the ProProctor installation guides (Windows or Mac), please review the guidance and resources provided in the ProProctor Tips & Guidance document to ensure that you have a successful testing experience.