Question 1

What is the SEAM AP credential?

Accepted Answer

The SEAM AP credential shows your expertise in the SEAM Standard and your commitment to promoting social equity in global commercial real estate projects. Whether you want to stand out in the job market, prepare for changing industry demands, or prioritize social equity in your organization, the SEAM AP credential can help you achieve your goals. Join the SEAM AP community today and make a positive impact on the world!

Question 2

What are the benefits of obtaining a SEAM AP credential?

Accepted Answer

The SEAM AP credential allows you to lead SEAM Certification efforts for a project, develop strategies for integrating social equity strategies across a real estate portfolio, or understand how to operationalize social equity for the betterment of the world.

Question 3

How does someone become a SEAM Accredited Professional (AP)™?

Accepted Answer

To become a SEAM AP™l, individuals must first become a SEAM Member. Then familiarize themselves with the SEAM Standard by studying the "SEAM Standard v1.1 with Implementation Guidance" document and/or completing the official SEAM AP Online Training Program. After gaining a thorough understanding of the standard, candidates are required to pass the SEAM AP Exam, which is conducted in an online remote-proctored environment. This process ensures that accredited professionals have the necessary knowledge to promote social equity in commercial real estate projects. To join membership and purchase the AP Online Training and AP Exam, go to https://community.seamcertification.org/

Question 4

What content is assessed in the SEAM AP exam?

Accepted Answer

The current SEAM AP v1 beta exam is based on the SEAM Standard version 1.1. Use the SEAM Standard document and/or the SEAM AP Online Training Program to understand current SEAM AP content and access sample questions and practice tests in the online training. To join membership and purchase the AP Online Training Program and AP Exam, go to https://community.seamcertification.org/

Question 5

How long is the SEAM AP credential valid?

Accepted Answer

The SEAM Accredited Professional credential is valid for two years. To maintain this accreditation and keep it active, professionals must engage in ongoing professional development, ensuring they remain current with evolving social equity practices and standards.

Question 6

How do I maintain my SEAM AP credential?

Accepted Answer

SEAM APs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education, at least 6 hours of which must be SEAM-specific, every two years in order to maintain their credential.

You are responsible for maintaining your credential every 2 years through professional activities, starting when the credential is earned (based on exam date) and ending 2 years minus 1 day from the start date. For example, if you sat your exam on January 1, 2025, you would be up for renewal on December 31, 2027. The purpose of credential maintenance is to encourage learning experiences that demonstrate continued competency and up-to-date industry knowledge. Check your SEAM AP credential to see when your credential is up for renewal!

You can earn continuing education hours through the following activities:
Continuing Education (unlimited)
Education for general CE hours (relevant to social equity, social sustainability, social justice, and human rights) can come from learning activities that are approved by SEAM, or from non-approved courses such as:
 • College and university courses
 • Simulated project participation 
 • Workshops 
 • Courses 
 • Conference events

Courses can only be counted towards credential maintenance once, and the same course cannot be reported in multiple reporting periods. SEAM-specific credit can only be achieved through SEAM-approved education designated as such. Recommended and approved CE courses will be listed in the relevant section of The Stitch: SEAM online membership platform.

If you're interested in creating content for CE units, please contact us at accreditation@seamcertification.org.(mailto:accreditation@seamcertification.org)

Project Participation (unlimited)
SEAM APs who actively serve on a project for a sustained period of at least four months within each 12-month period are eligible to earn 4 SEAM-specific Continuing Education (CE) hours annually. This recognizes their ongoing commitment and expertise in advancing SEAM Certification goals.
Authorship (unlimited)
Authorship is an accredited contribution to a print or digital publication and is worth 2 CE hours per published article. SEAM-specific hours are designated for authoring that is directly related to SEAM technical content.

You can also author an article and submit for approeal to be included in The Stitch: SEAM online community to earn up to 0.5 CE per contribution. When reporting you must include the URL of your post to receive credit and submit to accreditation@seamcertification.org.(mailto:accreditation@seamcertification.org) Qualifying contributions must be at least 250 words and meet at least one of the following requirements:
 • Subject matter must relate to the SEAM Standard, general social equity concepts such as social responsibility, human rights, social justice, inclusive design, ethical procurement, or similar
 • Personal stories about your SEAM journey
 • Discoveries on any building rating system project experience or work in the built environment
 • Provide SEAM AP exam tips and best practices or initiate and lead a study group

Volunteering (no more than 50% of total CE hours)
Volunteering includes participation in SEAM steering committees or working groups. Volunteers can claim 1 hour per hour of participation. 
Submit your CE hours
Once you've completed an activity, report it to accreditation@seamcertification.org.(mailto:accreditation@seamcertification.org) Once you have reported all of your required General and SEAM-specific CE hours, click the button below to pay the renewal fee and renew your credential.

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