About GRC Certify
Policies and Procedures
At GRC Certify, we take great pride in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of certification processes. Our policies and procedures serve as the cornerstone of our certification programs, ensuring transparency, fairness, and consistency throughout the entire journey.
Transparency & Accessibility
We believe that transparency is fundamental to building trust within the GRC community. Our certification processes are designed to be open, clear, and accessible to all candidates. We provide detailed information about eligibility criteria, examination procedures, and recertification requirements, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Fairness Dedication
Fairness is at the core of our certification administration. We are dedicated to treating every candidate equitably, regardless of background or experience. Our policies are crafted to prevent bias and favoritism, guaranteeing that each individual has an equal opportunity to pursue and achieve GRC certification.
Continuous Improvement
We continuously review and refine our policies and procedures to uphold the highest standards of fairness, ethics, and professionalism. Our commitment to excellence ensures that GRC Certify remains a trusted partner on your journey to professional certification.
GRC Certify Accreditation Standards
Streamlined Process
We ensure that our certification process is more streamlined and simple - but not easy!
We want to help you demonstrate and showcase your skills as fast as possible.
All of our partner organizations must adhere to this streamlined process.
We want to help you demonstrate and showcase your skills as fast as possible.
All of our partner organizations must adhere to this streamlined process.
1. Prepare
At GRC Certify, we believe in the power of knowledge accessibility. That's why all our certifications are built upon freely available and open-source standards and study materials. This approach ensures that you can access and study these materials at no cost, making the certification journey more accessible and affordable for everyone.
While our certification materials are readily available, many individuals choose to collaborate with one of our trusted training partners for a more structured learning experience. Working with our partners offers the advantage of additional context, structured guidance, and the option to learn in your preferred language. It's all part of our commitment to providing diverse and flexible learning pathways to support your success in GRC.
While our certification materials are readily available, many individuals choose to collaborate with one of our trusted training partners for a more structured learning experience. Working with our partners offers the advantage of additional context, structured guidance, and the option to learn in your preferred language. It's all part of our commitment to providing diverse and flexible learning pathways to support your success in GRC.
2. Apply
At GRC Certify, we embrace inclusivity, welcoming professionals from a wide array of cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds to pursue our certifications.
Our certification programs are open to individuals who share a commitment to The Protector Code, regardless of their previous experience or expertise. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all who are dedicated to upholding these principles.
Our certification programs are open to individuals who share a commitment to The Protector Code, regardless of their previous experience or expertise. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all who are dedicated to upholding these principles.
3. Earn
Achieve success on your terms with our online exams, available at your convenience, aligning perfectly with your schedule.
Just as real life is open book, so are our exams. You can access the same resources you use in your professional role, reflecting the practical nature of your work.
While our exams allow open-book access, they are intentionally rigorous. Adequate preparation is crucial, as they are designed to assess your expertise thoroughly.
Just as real life is open book, so are our exams. You can access the same resources you use in your professional role, reflecting the practical nature of your work.
While our exams allow open-book access, they are intentionally rigorous. Adequate preparation is crucial, as they are designed to assess your expertise thoroughly.
4. Maintain
All of our partner organizations are required to offer AUTOMATIC TRACKING of CPEs.
But don't worry, if you ever find yourself in need of assistance or facing a challenging situation, our partner organizations are ready to offer a helping hand to get things on track.
If you ever have an issue with one of our certifications or partner organizations, contact support@grccertify.org
But don't worry, if you ever find yourself in need of assistance or facing a challenging situation, our partner organizations are ready to offer a helping hand to get things on track.
If you ever have an issue with one of our certifications or partner organizations, contact support@grccertify.org
Frequently asked questions
Certification Development Process
GRC Certify works with our partners so that each certification uses a detailed and phased development process. GRC Certify formulates this process based on accreditation standards and best practices, including developing and managing the exam to support reliability, validity, and security.
Each certification goes through development stages, including:
- Job Task Analysis (JTA).
- Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK) Development.
- Exam Blueprint.
- Item Development and Test Design.
- Pilot.
- Beta Copy & Standard-Setting.
- Production.
- Maintenance.
General Eligibility
GRC Certify certifications are open and accessible to all professionals. We accept candidates from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds. Candidates for GRC Certify certifications include anyone who adheres to The Protector Code.
Preparing for an Exam
Each GRC Certify certification outlines the Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK) in the Certification Supplement Handbook. The EBK materials are generally available and often open source. The exam assesses knowledge used by a “typical” professional in a “typical” job associated with the EBK.
This means that the exam does not require specific courses or other materials as a prerequisite to take the exam. GRC Certify exams typically do not require previous job experience, through previous experience does help candidates to pass the exam.
Authorized training partners offer in-person and online courses if candidates are interested in more directed exam preparation.
Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK) & Blueprint
Each Certification Supplement Handbook details the reference materials and essential body of knowledge (EBK) and its corresponding exam blueprint covering the specific certification.
Sample Questions
Each Certification Supplement Handbook includes sample questions and answers. The answer key is taken from the question repository and serves as samples of the question type and content found in each exam.
Credential Certificates & Badges
Successful candidates who pass our certification exams are entitled to display their GRC Certify designation, along with any associated designations, on various platforms, including transcripts, social media profiles, email signatures, and other certification showcases.
Candidates' designations, including any professional "letters" for use in signatures, are documented in a digital certificate and badge. The digital certificate is provided as a high-resolution file that can be printed and framed for display.
Credential Verification
Our certificates are issued in digital format and securely recorded on a blockchain system of record. Each certificate is assigned a unique URL, enabling employers and other stakeholders to instantly verify the authenticity of the credential.
In instances where certificates are provided in hardcopy format, they include a QR code for verification purposes. Stakeholders can easily verify the printed certificate by using a QR reader on their smartphone. Scanning the QR code on the certificate will direct them to an online verification service.
For cases where stakeholders may not have access to online verification, GRC Certify offers guided support for credential verification.
You can reach out to our support team at support@grccertify.org for assistance in verifying credentials.
In instances where certificates are provided in hardcopy format, they include a QR code for verification purposes. Stakeholders can easily verify the printed certificate by using a QR reader on their smartphone. Scanning the QR code on the certificate will direct them to an online verification service.
For cases where stakeholders may not have access to online verification, GRC Certify offers guided support for credential verification.
You can reach out to our support team at support@grccertify.org for assistance in verifying credentials.
Confidentiality
We prioritize the confidentiality of candidate information. Candidates who choose to be listed in the GRC Certify Public Directory have control over the information they voluntarily provide.
Continuing Education
Being a certified professional entails remaining current with evolving practices. To fulfill this commitment, each certification mandates the completion of eight continuing professional education (CPE) units annually.
A continuing professional education unit is a measure of educational content, roughly equivalent to 60 minutes of instruction. However, in today's digital learning environment, it's important to note that watching courses at an accelerated pace, such as 1.25x or 1.5x speed, may impact the direct correlation between time duration and CPE units.
A continuing professional education unit is a measure of educational content, roughly equivalent to 60 minutes of instruction. However, in today's digital learning environment, it's important to note that watching courses at an accelerated pace, such as 1.25x or 1.5x speed, may impact the direct correlation between time duration and CPE units.
Double Counting
At GRC Certify, we understand that continuing education (CPE) activities can often cover multiple subjects simultaneously. Therefore, it's important to note that a single CPE course may apply to the requirements of multiple certifications.
Consider a course on "Risk Assessment" – it holds significance for both GRC Professional (GRCP) and GRC Audit (GRCA) certifications. This means that for every hour of participation in this course, you earn TWO units of continuing education. Specifically, ONE unit for GRCP and ONE unit for GRCA.
Consider a course on "Risk Assessment" – it holds significance for both GRC Professional (GRCP) and GRC Audit (GRCA) certifications. This means that for every hour of participation in this course, you earn TWO units of continuing education. Specifically, ONE unit for GRCP and ONE unit for GRCA.
Electronic Tracking
At GRC Certify, we advocate for seamless continuing education (CPE) tracking. We require that all CPE education providers to implement electronic tracking systems, eliminating the need for tedious paperwork and manual tracking. However, we understand that there may still be instances where individuals need to manually add or correct CPEs.
In such cases, candidates should directly request certificates from CPE event sponsors. It's essential for candidates to review and verify all manually submitted CPE records on the tracking platform to ensure the continued renewal of their GRC Certify credentials.
Recertification
All GRC Certify Certifications require recertification every five (5) years based on industry standards and best practices.
Auditing
GRC Certify conducts audits that encompass the following:
Retesting Audits: GRC Certify verifies that a candidate has not attempted the certification exam more than six (6) times within any 12-month period. This practice aligns with current industry standards and retesting best practices. The 12-month duration is calculated from the date of the candidate's initial exam attempt.
Continuing Education (CE) Audits: GRC Certify confirms that candidates have fulfilled their required Continuing Education (CE) units as stipulated for each certification. We strive to collaborate with CPE providers who offer automated tracking and reporting to GRC Certify. Candidates retain the capability to maintain and rectify documentation manually in case of any discrepancies.
Retesting Audits: GRC Certify verifies that a candidate has not attempted the certification exam more than six (6) times within any 12-month period. This practice aligns with current industry standards and retesting best practices. The 12-month duration is calculated from the date of the candidate's initial exam attempt.
Continuing Education (CE) Audits: GRC Certify confirms that candidates have fulfilled their required Continuing Education (CE) units as stipulated for each certification. We strive to collaborate with CPE providers who offer automated tracking and reporting to GRC Certify. Candidates retain the capability to maintain and rectify documentation manually in case of any discrepancies.
Complaints & Appeals
GRC Certify may make adverse decisions, which can encompass various outcomes, including but not limited to:
Denial of a candidate's application.
Denial of certification.
Denial of continuing education.
Denial of certification renewal.
Revocation of certification.
In case of an adverse decision within the areas specified above, GRC Certify will communicate the decision and the process for appealing such decisions to the individuals affected.
For individuals wishing to appeal GRC Certify's adverse decision (referred to as the "Grievant"), the following guidelines and associated timelines must be adhered to:
The appeal request should be submitted within sixty (60) days after the Grievant receives notice of the adverse decision.
The Grievant is responsible for presenting clear and compelling evidence to support the appeal.
GRC Certify will review the appeal request and inform the applicant of the determination.
For a comprehensive understanding of our Appeal Policy, please contact GRC Certify at support@grccertify.org.
It is important to note that all administrative practices and procedures, including the appeals process, will be conducted without discrimination based on factors such as age, race, creed, color, religion, lifestyle, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
Denial of a candidate's application.
Denial of certification.
Denial of continuing education.
Denial of certification renewal.
Revocation of certification.
In case of an adverse decision within the areas specified above, GRC Certify will communicate the decision and the process for appealing such decisions to the individuals affected.
For individuals wishing to appeal GRC Certify's adverse decision (referred to as the "Grievant"), the following guidelines and associated timelines must be adhered to:
The appeal request should be submitted within sixty (60) days after the Grievant receives notice of the adverse decision.
The Grievant is responsible for presenting clear and compelling evidence to support the appeal.
GRC Certify will review the appeal request and inform the applicant of the determination.
For a comprehensive understanding of our Appeal Policy, please contact GRC Certify at support@grccertify.org.
It is important to note that all administrative practices and procedures, including the appeals process, will be conducted without discrimination based on factors such as age, race, creed, color, religion, lifestyle, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
GRC Certify is a member organization of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence with credentialing efforts that are aligned with the standards set forth in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Education Measurement, 2014.)
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