Prove your expertise in the built environment with GBI’s professional credentials and grow your knowledge with on-demand educational courses.
GBI’s credentials provide users with an in-depth understanding of the methodology and application of GBI’s assessment and certification systems. Holding a GBI credential signals to peers, employers, and clients a proficiency with these systems and a dedication to improving the built environment.
Demonstrates sustainability expertise
Become part of the GBI network
Personal commitment to sustainability
Trusted by
4,400+
professionals and students holding a GBI credential
AIA continuing education credits available
Trusted by learners at
An introductory credential to launch your green building career, covering Green Globes, Ascent and an introduction to Journey to Net Zero (JNZ). Formerly GGEP.
Benefits
Eligibility
Students and professionals with under 5 years of experience.
$100 · 50% off for students · valid 5 years
Learn more
Become an expert user of GBI assessment and rating systems, including Green Globes and Ascent. Formerly GGP.
Benefits
Eligibility
5+ years of commercial building experience, or 3+ years with a related associate’s degree.
$750 includes the Foundations Course and one specialty track · $150 annual renewal
Learn more
Become an expert user of Guiding Principles Compliance for better public buildings.
Benefits
Eligibility
No minimum qualifications. Commercial building experience encouraged.
Recognizes leaders who have improved the built environment through GBI programs.
Benefits
Eligibility
GBI Professional credential, 10+ Green Globes projects, volunteer or presentation hours, and 3 sponsor testimonials.
Perform independent, third-party assessments for GBI programs.
Benefits
Eligibility
GBI Professional, 10+ years’ experience, 3+ sustainability projects.
New Construction: licensed architect or engineer, bachelor’s degree.
Existing Buildings: facilities credential, associate’s degree.
Your credential is valid and active. Nothing changes for you today. The GGEP and GGP titles will sunset on November 1, 2028.
What’s new
GGEP and GGP are now GBI Emerging Professional (GBI-EP) and GBI Professional (GBI-P), launched on November 11, 2026.
Refreshed for the latest standards, now including Ascent and Journey to Net Zero.
Names that reflect all of GBI’s programs, not Green Globes alone.
A new Learner Dashboard and course library, plus more accessible courses and exams.
Already a GGP or GGEP holder? Your credential stays valid until the November 1, 2028 sunset date.
Quick answers about the updated credentials. Select a question to read the answer.
For current GGP and GGEP holders
Yes, through November 2028. Enrollment in GGP closes once GBI-P is published, and enrollment in GGEP closes once GBI-EP is published.
GGP holders pay only the renewal of their credential, which includes access to the new course material. GGEP holders can enroll in GBI-EP at no cost.
GBI professional credentials are moving from renewal every two years to annual renewal. We will confirm how your current renewal date carries over in direct communications to credential holders.
Yes. Once you complete the steps for your new credential, you can download an updated certificate, signature badge and digital credential from your GBI account.
Keep your current title until you have completed the steps for the new credential. After that, update it to GBI Professional (GBI-P) or GBI Emerging Professional (GBI-EP).
No. Your knowledge and experience are unchanged. The new names reflect a broader market that includes both Green Globes and Ascent, and they position credential holders to work at a global scale.
For prospective credential seekers
GBI Emerging Professional (GBI-EP) is an introductory credential for students and early-career professionals who want to prepare to enter the industry. GBI Professional (GBI-P) is an intermediate credential for experienced professionals who have worked on a GBI project and want to become expert users of GBI’s programs and tools.
If you have fewer than 5 years of experience, start with GBI Emerging Professional. If you have 5 or more years of experience, or 3 years with a degree in a related field, GBI Professional is the right fit. GBI-EP holders stay connected through the Ambassador Program and are encouraged to pursue GBI-P as their experience grows.
GBI-EP is $100, with a 50% discount code available for students, and is valid for 5 years. GBI-P is $750 for the Foundations Course plus the specialty track of your choice. Each additional specialty track is $200, and annual renewal is $150. There is no application fee for either credential.
Specialty tracks help GBI-P learners apply GBI’s programs and tools to their own area of focus. They are taken after the Foundations Course and must be completed within one year of finishing it. The first tracks will be Design & Construction and Operations & Facilities Management, and we will notify learners as each becomes available.
Both credentials focus on Green Globes and Ascent, and introduce Journey to Net Zero (JNZ). If JNZ is a particular interest, we recommend taking the JNZ foundations course as well.
Spell out the full name whenever you can. When space is tight, use GBI-EP or GBI-P, with capital letters and a hyphen. On first mention, give the full name followed by the short form, for example “GBI Professional (GBI-P).” GBI Fellow and GBI Assessor are best written in full.
Being part of the GBI community means staying current, learning from peers, and contributing to better outcomes for the buildings we all depend on.
David Hryvniak
GBI Fellow · Senior Project Manager, JLL
GBI-EP helped me upskill and reinforce the green building knowledge learned during college.
Jason Zhou
GBI Emerging Professional · Sustainability Engineer, RNF Engineering, Inc.
Earn a GBI credential to verify your expertise, or take a course to build your skills on your own schedule.