1. Are GBCI credits available or AIA CEU’s for GPRO courses?
Yes, GBCI and AIA credits are available for all GPRO courses. You can see more detail about GBCI and AIA CEU’s in this document. Please request a certificate here. Taking the GPRO exam is not required to obtain a certificate of attendance. A certificate of attendance is not a GPRO Certificate. To obtain a GPRO Certificate, you must take and pass the GPRO exam with a minimum score of 70%.
2. Can a GPRO Certificate be used to qualify for the LEED Green Associate Exam?
Yes, a GPRO Certificate can be used to qualify for the Green Associate exam. Click here for a pdf showing the outline of the Fundamentals of Building Green course. GBCI requires a document that explains how the course relates to green building principles or LEED, this document explains how GPRO relates to green building principles and LEED.
3. When did GPRO begin?
GPRO was just launched this past Summer 2010, it has been under development since January 2008.
4. How is GPRO different from other green building education?
Unlike the majority of green education which focuses on architects and designers, the goal of GPRO is to teach the people who actually build, renovate, and maintain buildings the principles of sustainability and construction techniques that will use resources more efficiently and make buildings healthier for occupants.
5. How could this benefit me?
Skilled workers will be prepared to work in accordance with new regulations and to meet the expectations of owners and tenants who want healthier, environmentally sustainable, and energy-efficient homes and offices. The program covers the “green gap” between standard trade skills and the new awareness and skills required to successfully implement green building.
6. Are there any prerequisites?
The trade specific courses assume prior knowledge in the respective trade, but the Fundamentals course is open to anyone with an interest in green building. The Fundamentals course is required prior to taking any trade specific course.
7. What happens after I take a course?
Students will either take a multiple-choice exam testing their knowledge in the Fundamentals of Building Green -OR- if they took a trade specific course, they will take one combined exam testing Fundamentals and the trade-specific material.
8. What are the steps to a GPRO Certificate?
- Each candidate will take the GPRO 4-hour prerequisite course, Fundamentals of Building Green, a primer on sustainable practices.
- Students then move on to a 6- to 8-hour trade-specific course . Available courses are listed here.
- Candidates take a multiple-choice GPRO exam which tests knowledge of both courses.
- Candidates with a passing score of 70% become GPRO Certificate Holders and earn a GPRO certificate, wallet card and hardhat sticker in both Fundamentals and their trade-specific course.
9. What is the GPRO credential?
Certificate Holders are permitted to use the following credentials.
- GPRO: FUND for Fundamentals of Building Green Certificate Holders.
- GPRO: CM for Fundamentals of Building Green + Construction Management Certificate Holders.
- GPRO: O&M for Fundamentals of Building Green + Operations & Maintenance Essentials Certificate Holders.
- GPRO: EL for Fundamentals of Building Green + Electrical Systems Certificate Holders.
- GPRO: PL for Fundamentals of Building Green + Plumbing Certificate Holders.
- GPRO: MECH-Air for Fundamentals of Building Green + Mechanical-Air Certificate Holders.
10. Do I receive any certification as proof of passing the course(s)?
If you pass, you will become a GPRO Certificate Holder. You will receive a Certificate, Wallet Card and Hardhat stickers (corresponding to the course passed). This certificate will demonstrate that an individual understands green building as it applies to his or her trade and will enhance that person’s ability to compete for and participate in green jobs. One of our goals is to make the GPRO certificate a common requirement on construction projects throughout the country.
11. How do I attach my Fundamentals of Building Green and Operations & Maintenance Essentials patches?
A: FUND+O&M Certificate Holders will receive patches to attach to work shirts and uniforms (instead of the hardhat stickers that other Certificate Holders receive). These can be sewn on, or ironed-on. Directions for ironing-on can be found here. We recommend testing a hidden corner to prevent damage to garment.
12. Who is offering these courses?
Courses are being offered through our partners which include the USGBC chapters in Illinois, Upstate New York, New Jersey and Colorado. In NYC, our partners include CWE (the Consortium for Worker Education), CUNY (the City University of New York) and AEA (the Association for Energy Affordability). Please see our calendar of courses for more information.
13. Can I become a GPRO instructor?
For information on becoming a GPRO instructor, please visit here.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us.
