ACCO has established a simple step-by-step process for earning the Certified Climate Change Professional® (CC-P®) credential:

1.  Secure a testing package

  • Choices include self-study, self-study with membership, live online and exam only. Read more about program fees here.

2.  Sign and execute the Non-Disclosure Agreement for Exams and submit it through the ACCO member portal at https://community.accoonline.org/page/NDA-submission.

3.  Begin preparing for exams by logging into the ACCO training portal (note: be sure to reference the recommended prep materials on the CC-P® Exam Modules page).

  • Test your knowledge with our self-assessments that are made available on any of our course description pages linked to from the course catalog.

4.  When ready to take any of the four exams, you can now access them directly through the ACCO member portal

5.  Upon completing the exam requirements, visit the “Preparing Your CC-P® Application” page for instructions on completing a successful application

Read more detailed information below on each aspect of the credentialing process and become a CC-P® today!

 

Preparing for the Exams

ACCO recommends preparing for the four exams, though you are not required to do so or to document your training.

Online Resources

  • Self-study video library: ACCO offers a suite of web-based training modules through our member portal

  • Taking coursework through ACCO's live online programs: ACCO hosts live online training programs twice per quarter

  • Online Study Guide: The official CC-P® Prep Study Guide will be published in Fall 2023.

 

Taking the Exams

Meeting Your Elective Requirements (updated July 2019)

In addition to passing the 4 above-referenced exams, you will need to take 14 hours of elective training in order to earn the Certified Climate Change Professional® (CC-P®) credential.  All elective courses must have a clear set of learning objectives covered under the scope or relating to the Core Competencies for Climate Change Officers and Professionals and should not be redundant to subject matter and competencies covered by the 4 exams.  All electives must be oriented toward executive or professional development (e.g. undergraduate/graduate courses, conference plenary sessions and site visits/tours may not be applied toward elective requirements).

For this requirement, there is a strong preference for satisfying 3.5 hours oriented toward your geographic region or region type (e.g. coastal community, high altitude, desert), 3.5 hours oriented toward your employer's sector and 3.5 hours toward your occupation or professional responsibilities.  If such training does not exist or is not reasonably accessible, ACCO will waive that requirement -- though you will still need to satisfy the overall 14 hour requirement. Electives can be taken at any time (e.g. before, during or after exams).  However, you may only use electives taken within 1 year of the date of the final CC-P® application.

Eligibility Requirements & Submitting Your Application

In order to be bestowed the Certified Climate Change Professional® (CC-P®) credential, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • If you have a masters or post-graduate degree, you should have 2+ years working extensively on climate change, sustainability or related initiatives;

  • If you have a 4-year degree, you should have 4+ years working extensively on climate change, sustainability or related initiatives; and

  • If you have a secondary (high school) degree, you should have 7+ years working extensively on climate change, sustainability or related initiatives.

You do NOT need to have satisfied these requirements until submission of the application (i.e. you can satisfy testing and elective requirements as you accumulate the necessary experience).

Upon successful completion of the 4 exams and elective requirements, you should begin preparing your Application and submit the following materials: