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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a list of the questions we are asked most often. Can't find what you need? Submit a support ticket, and we'll respond within 3 business days.


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Membership

Courses and webinars

Discontinued courses

Credentials

ISSPCommunity

Membership

  • How much is ISSP membership?

    ISSP offers a variety of membership types. Explore the different benefits for individual membership and organizational membership. See member types.

  • Do you offer any discounts for membership?

    ISSP offers memberships at discounted rates for students who are currently enrolled in a college or university, for emerging professionals and retirees, and for those who reside in low or middle Income economies as defined by the World Bank. See discounts here.

  • Does ISSP offer memberships for organizations?

    Yes, we offer Organizational Memberships, and you can learn more about the benefits and pricing here.

  • I purchased a membership, but have not yet received access to my member account. What do I do?

    Login to your member account, and enter the email you used to register. You'll be prompted to create a new login account and review/add your information.


    Once you've logged in, you'll be taken to Member Compass - our  portal for you to update your profile, see events that you are registered for, pay invoices, and more. Be sure to update your profile! 


    If you still need help, please submit a support ticket, and we'll reply within 3 business days. 

  • How can I connect with other ISSP members?

    The best way to connect is by joining one of our member-only working sessions or monthly member networking calls. Both of these events are held on Zoom, where you can turn on your camera (optional) and chat with other professionals.


    You can view all events here.

  • How do I renew my membership?

    You will receive an email notification when your membership is up for renewal. Please follow the instructions and reach out to support if you need help. 

  • How do I cancel my membership?

    We are sad to see you go! Most members are not on Auto-Pay, so you will not be charged unless you specifically selected that option. (This option only applies to members who joined after June 2024.)


    If you do not renew by your deadline, you will eventually be dropped. This will be reflected in your Member Account.


    However, if you would like us to cancel your membership immediately, please reach out to support and we will assist you!

  • I received a renewal email. Will my account be automatically charged?

    No, all memberships are set to auto-renewal, which simply means you receive an automatic reminder to renew 30 days before your renewal date. At this time, you will NOT be charged. 


    You will only be charged if you manually renew and pay through your Member Account OR if you set up auto-pay when joining or paying a renewal invoice. If you do not pay your invoice prior to your renewal date, your membership will expire. 


    See in-depth explanation in our membership policy.

  • How do I know whether I am enrolled in auto-pay?

    Auto-pay is the member-elected process that allows your stored credit card to automatically be charged as a payment toward the dues invoice generated during auto-renewal. You can go to your Member Account > Payment Methods tab and see if you have a card saved there.

  • How do I turn off auto-pay?

    If you would like to turn auto-pay off, you can do so from your Member Account > Payment Methods tab. You will see a note that says: "Note: Your membership is currently set up to auto-pay using your default payment method. If you'd like to discontinue auto-pay, please click here."


    From there, you will be shown a message, explaining that you will now need to pay your next renewal invoice manually once it is ready.


  • Can I ask for a letter of recommendation from ISSP?

    We do not write letters of recommendation, but we do provide a Certificate of Membership to any active member upon request


    Disclaimer: ISSP membership does not imply any professional certification, accreditation, or endorsement by ISSP of an individual's qualifications or expertise, and ISSP does not assume responsibility for the advice or actions of its individual members. See policy.

  • How can a receive a Certificate of Membership from ISSP?

    Yes! We provide a Certificate of Membership to any active member upon request


    Disclaimer: ISSP membership does not imply any professional certification, accreditation, or endorsement by ISSP of an individual's qualifications or expertise, and ISSP does not assume responsibility for the advice or actions of its individual members.

  • How can I add my membership to my LinkedIn page?

    When you're new, it's the perfect time to announce your membership to your network! Follow these instructions to update your LinkedIn profile and share to your feed. 

Courses and webinars

  • What happens when a course is discontinued?

    We regularly review our course offerings to ensure they meet the current needs and interests of our learners.


    If a course you purchased will be discontinued, please check these next steps and FAQs

  • I purchased an ISSP course over a year ago. Can I still access it?

    It is our policy that all ISSP course purchases are valid for minimum one year from the purchase date. After that time period, it is possible the course may be discontinued - see list


    Note: We recently updated our learning hub, and you should have received an email with a code to get your purchased course in the new hub. If you did not receive this, please reach out to support

  • I received an email with instructions to complete my course(s) by 1 July 2024. Why is this?

    To enhance user experience, we transitioned to a new learning management system this summer. We are so excited to bring you a more engaging interface and a better mobile experience! 


    Your progress in any incomplete courses or modules will not carry over to the new platform, so please finish by 1 July 2024. If you miss the deadline, you will have to restart those courses from the beginning.


    What does this mean for any courses I have not started? After the transition, you will still have access to all your purchased courses, where you can start from the beginning. You should have received an email with a code to get your course, but please reach out to support with any questions. 


    What about courses that I have completed? Please save any info (such as certificates) you wish to keep before 1 July 2024, as we will not be moving over completed course information.


    Some courses will be discontinued (see list), but most courses will be moved over to the new platform, where you can continue to access there. Review our FAQs for more information on this transition. 

  • Are ISSP webinars recorded?

    Yes, most of our webinars are recorded. All ISSP members can view the webinar recordings in your Member Account.

  • What is the difference between working sessions and webinars?

    Below are more details about working sessions and webinars. 


    Working sessions: This member benefit is a monthly 90-minute working session hosted on Zoom Meeting to provide a more interactive environment. Presenters are experts in their fields and design sessions that help members to work through challenges and ask questions. Attendance is limited, and meetings are not recorded.


    Webinars: Open to the public, these monthly 1-hr technical webinars connect you with the tools and tactics needed to meet your sustainability goals. All webinars are recorded, and members can access the full archive in their member account.

  • I purchased a course or study material, but I cannot find it. Where can I access it?

    You will receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes of purchase with access details. If you cannot find that email, the details are below:

    1. Access your course(s) in the learning hub. You will use the same login details as your member account.
    2. Once inside the learning hub, please look at the left-side navigation menu. Choose 'My Courses'.
    3. Select the course and begin!

Sustainability Excellence credentials (SEA and SEP)

  • Where do I find the study materials for the SEA/SEP credentials?

    You can purchase SEA and SEP study materials in our store. 

  • Where do I register for the SEA or SEP exam?

    ISSP is the education provider for the SEA and SEP credentials. However, the exam and registration process are managed by our partner, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). 


    You can learn more about both the SEA and SEP credentials, including registration for the exam here. We encourage you to download the SEA Candidate Handbook which contains detailed information on the exam and renewal process. 


    If you have any questions about this process, you can reach out to GBCI directly via email at sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.

  • When will I receive my SEA or SEP study materials?

    The study materials are all provided instantly with an access link on your confirmation page. This information is also emailed to you immediately upon purchase. 


    If you purchased the materials and did not receive an email, please check your junk and/or spam folders. 


    If you are still unable to locate the email, please submit a support ticket, and we'll reply within 3 business days. 

  • What is needed to maintain the SEA or SEP credential?

    Each credential has its own renewal requirements managed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Learn more about renewal requirements or credential maintenance


    For any additional questions, please reach out to GBCI directly via email at sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.

  • Where do I take the SEA or SEP exam?

    The exam can be scheduled to be taken at a proctoring location near you or from your home. This process is managed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). 


    Learn more about scheduling the exams


    For any additional questions, please reach out to GBCI directly via email at sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.

  • Are the SEA and SEP programs designed for professionals working outside of the United States?

    The SEA and SEP credentials are international, and there are credential holders all around the world.

  • How long does it take to prepare for the SEA and SEP exams?

    The amount of time needed to prepare for an ISSP exam is dependent on each individual and their familiarity with the exam content. ISSP recommends that candidates give themselves at least a month to prepare using the ISSP study materials.

  • How do I find other SEA/SEP credential holders in my area?

    You can search for other credential holders on GBCI’s public directory.

  • Should I become an ISSP member before starting my SEA credential?

    Yes, we would highly recommend applying for your ISSP membership BEFORE registering for the SEA exam. 


    As an ISSP member, you will save you $110 on the SEA Study Bundle, as well as another $175 discount on the exam fee from GBCI. In addition, we have other SEA study resources like the Core Competencies course that have a significant member discount. 

  • What is exam maintenance and how might it affect my journey?

    Exam maintenance is a key component of the life cycle of an exam. It allows GBCI the opportunity to review statistical data collected over a specified period and determine which questions need to be updated or replaced to ensure the exam continues to have accurate content, a high level of integrity, and fairness. The process is seamless for candidates and should not disrupt any existing study or scheduling arrangements.


    You can learn more here

  • Why have I not received a credential renewal email?

    ISSP does not manage the renewal process, so please reach out to GBCI with any questions about credential maintenance. You can view their FAQs here or email sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.

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