FAQ
General
What is certification?
Certification is a formal recognition by PECB, which states that the individual has proficiency within, and a comprehension of, a specified body of knowledge. Certification is a vital component of every professional as it provides evidence that certified professionals hold standardized competencies based on best practices. Certification can also serve as documented evidence of a professional’s qualifications, competencies and experience.
Why become certified?
The benefits of being certified include the following:
- It serves to demonstrate that the certified professional holds defined competencies based on best practices.
- It allows employing organizations to make an informed selection of employees or services based on the competencies that are represented by the certification designation.
- It provides incentives to the professional to constantly improve his/her skills and knowledge.
- It serves as a tool for employers to ensure that training has been effective.
Can I use certifications on my business cards?
Yes, professionals with PECB certification may indicate their certification(s) on their personal business cards.
Does PECB certification have a maintenance requirement?
PECB Official Training Courses
What is the content of the training?
There is a combination of class work exercises, real life experience discussions, observation, homework, practical application and study. All our courses are intensive and they enable the participants to develop the expertise necessary to support an organization in implementing and/or auditing management systems.
How many people would normally attend each course?
This varies. Classes can have between 4 to 20 candidates. In some rase cases we've seen a partner organizing a training course even with two persons.
What is the duration of PECB training courses?
Duration vary from course to course. Please refer to the table below:
|
Course |
Duration/days |
Exam |
|
Introduction |
1 |
NO |
|
Foundation |
2 |
YES, at the end of day 2 |
|
Lead Auditor / Implementer |
5 |
YES, second half of day 5 |
|
Other LEAD courses (CLPTP, CLPI, CLSSP, etc...) |
5 |
YES, second half of day 5 |
What is the difference between the Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor courses?
How much does a PECB training cost?
There are different fees, depending on the training that you attend. Prices are set by our authorized training partners and the best way to find this out is to contact one of our training partners for details. Otherwise, you can drop us a ticket at https://pecb.com/customer and we'll put you in contact with one of our partners.
Course Registration
How do I register for a specific course?
How do I decide which courses should I take?
PECB has developed a catalogue of training courses related to compliance framework and standards. Select the relevant subject to determine which training course is right for you. PECB official training includes Lead Implementer, Lead Auditor, Foundation and Introduction courses. Check our course catalogue and other brochures from here.
Certification
How do I apply for a certification?
My reference is not responding. Can I change it?
Yes. If your reference is not responding, you can change it by logging to myPECB, clicking “My Certification” then click on “Pending” reference and then “Change reference”.
What are the work experience requirements?
The work experience depends on the certification, certifications such as: “Foundation”, “Provisional Implementer” and “Provisional Auditor” do not require any work experience. For clarification, please see the table shown below:
|
Certification |
Exam |
Professional experience |
Audit experience |
Project experience |
Other requirements |
|
Provisional Implementer |
Lead Implementer Exam |
None |
None |
None |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
|
Implementer |
Lead Implementer Exam |
Two years One year of work experience in the field of certification |
None |
Project activities totalling 200 hours |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
|
Lead Implementer |
Lead Implementer Exam |
Five years Two years of work experience in the field of certification |
None |
Project activities totalling 300 hours |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
|
Provisional Auditor |
Lead Auditor Exam |
None |
None |
None |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
|
Auditor |
Lead Auditor Exam |
Two years One year of work experience in the field of certification |
Audit activities totalling 200 hours |
None |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
|
Lead Auditor |
Lead Auditor Exam |
Five years Two years of work experience in the field of certification |
Audit activities totalling 300 hours |
None |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
|
Master |
Lead Auditor Exam Lead Implementer exam |
Ten years Two years of work experience in the field of certification |
Audit activities totalling 500 hours |
Project activities totalling 500 hours |
Signing the PECB code of ethics |
I don't have the required experience for a Lead Auditor certification. Can I still get certified?
No. You cannot get certified as a Lead Auditor if you do not have the required experience. However, if you can prove that you have 200 hours of audit activities, you can apply for “Provisional Auditor” or “Auditor”. Once you have the required experience of 300 hours of audit activities, you can upgrade to “Lead Auditor”. Upgrades are free of charge if you are a PECB member.
How will I receive my certificate?
How long will the certification be valid?
PECB certifications are valid for three consecutive years. To maintain a certification, applicants must demonstrate every year that they are still performing tasks that are related to the certification.
What are the requirements for Master certifications?
Taking the Exam
What is the exam structure and domains?
What are the upcoming exam dates?
Currently, we are organizing only paper-and-pencil exams at our partner locations. For more information please contact us at examination@pecb.com
At what time does the exam start and how long does it take?
Usually exams are taken on Friday afternoon, but this can change if exams are scheduled otherwise. Foundation exams lasts one hour, while Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer last three hours.
For more information please contact us at examination@pecb.com
Are PECB exams open-book or closed-book?
We have both types of exams-depending on the certification.
Our essay-type exams and open-book and all notes and reference documents may be used during the exam excluding the use of a computer and/or other smart devices.
Our multiple-choice exams are closed-book and not other material but exam paper and pencil is allowed in the examination room.
Can I eat or drink during the exam?
Food is not allowed during the exam session (except for medical reasons and for this you need to have prior approval), but you can bring a bottle of water.
I do not live in the United States, Canada or Europe. Can I take your exams in my country?
Yes. We often organize exams in different countries worldwide. If you do not live in United States, Canada or Europe, please contact us at examination@pecb.com for more information regarding exams in your country.
What is PECB’s exam cancellation policy?
To receive a full refund, you must cancel your exam registration at least 14 calendar days prior to the start date of the course.
If you cancel between fourteen (14) and seven (7) calendar days before the course, you will receive a 50% refund of the exam fee. No refunds will be provided for cancellations requested less than seven calendar days of the exam start date.
You may also contact us up to seven (7) calendar days prior to the course and arrange to transfer to another exam. When a transfer request is made, a new course date must be provided. No transfer requests will be allowed less than seven (7) calendar days of the exam start date. In case that PECB must cancel an exam or change exam location, liability is limited to the exam fee.
In such circumstances, the customer has the option of a full refund or transfer to an alternative available exam.
Exam Results
What is the exam-grading process?
Panels of experts evaluate every exam to ensure that the grading process provides an accurate assessment of the candidate’s proficiency. These experts establish the passing score for the exam and also use statistical analysis to make sure that different versions of the exam are equally challenging.
Currently it takes between 6 to 8 weeks for our examination team to grade and provide results on essay type exams and 2 to 4 weeks on multiple-choice exams.
PECB is working on an online examination system that will speed the exam-grading process to 48 hours for essay type and instant results upon submission for multiple-choice exams.
What is the passing score on a certification exam?
It depends on exam. Each exam has a passing score that might be the same of different from the other. Passing score is determined after psychometric analysis.
Some exams have a minimum score of 70% and some 65%, 69%, 80%...
How long does it take to get my exam results?
I passed the exam. What is my score?
The examination results will not include the exact grade in numbers or percentage, only a mention of pass or fail.
I did not pass the exam. What is the retake policy?
In the case of a failure, the results will be accompanied with the list of domains in which you had a lower percentage than the passing score to provide you with the guidance to get prepared for the retake exam.
There is no limit to the number of times that you can retake the exam. You will, however, be charged a retake fee each time.
If you have attended a trainign course with one of our authorized training partners, you can retake exam for free only once with a condition that retake exam must be taken within 12 months of your last attempt. If you do not retake it within this period, you will have to pay for new exam.
I have passed the exam, what is the next step?
Recertification
Why should I recertify?
We strongly believe that by maintaining your certification, you will secure the investment you have already made in your career. Certification is a mark of excellence. It demonstrates that the certified professional has the knowledge and experience to assure the quality of products and/or services.
How do I check my certifications and the expiration dates?
By logging onto your myPECB account and checking your certification dates. Also, your certificate issue and expiry date is located on the certificate.
How do I know if I need to recertify by exam?
As an example, a professional has performed 20 days of certification-related professional activities in year 1, 10 days of certification-related professional activities in year 2 and 30 days of certification-related professional activities in year 3. Although during year 2 the professional did not performed enough certification-related professional activities, his/her tri-annual total is equal to the minimal tri-annual requirements. So this professional would be recertified.
Payment
How do I pay for my registered courses?
When you register for a course with one of our partners, please consult with them regarding payment as you will be paying them for the trainign course, not PECB.
How many days in advance do I have to pay to get a confirmed seat in the class?
It is advisable to pay at least a week before the class starts, however please check with a course organizer.
Privacy and Security Questions
What should I do if I think my PECB account's security has been compromised?
Contact PECB immediately at Customer Center
How secure is PECB's website. Can I trust you with my personal data?
SSL is a protocol used to provide security over the Internet. The protocol makes sure the data isn't being transmitted in plain-text format, which is much easier to snoop on. PECB has installed a True BusinessID SSL certificate from GeoTrust throughout entire website which makes communication secure and difficult for attackers to "sniff" your information and gain access to your user account and personal data. You can verify our SSL certificate from here. Additionally, please read our website legal notice under TERMS, CONDITIONS AND POLICIES which every user signs when opening an account with PECB.
How do the security questions and answers work?
The security questions and answers provide an extra layer of security to further authenticate your identity when you sign on to PECB website. This added security feature will further minimize the risk of potential unauthorized access to your personal and financial information. if you believe that you accoutn has been compromised, please contact our Customer Service.
PECB's new online system/website
How many categories of users are in the new system?
Beside PECB internal user roles, there are four main categories:
1. Members,
2. Trainers,
3. Training Partners, and
4. Agents
If a hold a PECB credential and I am also a trainer, can I have only one account with one email address to use for both roles?
Unfortunately no!
System is built that way that each member category has a different dashboard and must have a unique email address for each account category. So, you must have one account connected to one email address as a member (certified professional) and one as a trainer.
Online Examination
How can I navigate through questions?
You can use the Previous or Next buttons to go to a previous or next question.
Can I update the answers?
Yes, you can go back to a previously answered question to update your answer.
How much time do I have to respond a question?
There is no limit on the time spent per question.
How can I report a bug?
If you encounter a bug or would like to submit a suggestion on improving the PECB Exams application, please send us your feedback at customer@pecb.com.
Can the Invigilator hear me?
Yes, the Invigilator is also able to hear through the Microphone available as built-in in your webcam, or at the device, you are using to take the online exam. However, whenever there is a need for communication, the Invigilator will initiate the communication using the Instant Messaging module available within the PECB Exams application.
How can I save my answer?
Once you are finished answering a question, use the Next or Previous button to save the answer.
What do the numbers and the colors on the right side-bar mean?
PECB Tech
How much time do I have to respond a question?
There is no limit on the time spent per question.
Can the Invigilator hear me?
Yes, the Invigilator is also able to hear through the Microphone available as built-in in your webcam, or at the device, you are using to take the online exam. However, whenever there is a need for communication, the Invigilator will initiate the communication using the Instant Messaging module available within the PECB Exams - Technical application.
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