Image credit: Nexii.
Are you planning to achieve TRUE certification for your project by the end of 2023? Planning ahead and making a timeline to complete all key steps in the TRUE certification process will be important to achieving certification by your deadline.
First, it is important to understand the timelines associated with each step in the certification process. Here is an overview of the review process and timeline:
- GBCI preliminary review of documentation: three weeks (15 business days)
- Project team response to preliminary review comments: varies, depending on how quickly your team responds; GBCI suggests responding within four weeks (20 business days).
- GBCI final review of documentation: three weeks (15 business days)
In order to be certified by the end of the 2023 calendar year, project teams should submit according to the timeline below.
| Target goal | Certification process step | Recommended date for submission | GBCI estimated return date |
| TRUE certification by Dec. 31 | Complete registration process | Sept. 12-Oct. 3 | N/A |
| Submit documentation for preliminary review | Oct. 16 | Nov. 3 | |
| Submit documentation for final review | Dec. 4 | Dec. 22 |
*Please note that GBCI is closed Nov. 23–24 for the Thanksgiving holiday and Dec. 25–Jan. 1 for winter break. These closure dates are factored into the estimated timeline above.
All registration and certification fee payments must clear before GBCI begins a review of a project. The timelines above assume that no midreview clarifications or appeal reviews are necessary. If needed, a limited number of expedited reviews are available for an additional fee, which can reduce the overall review timeline by half. The availability of expedited review timelines is based on GBCI capacity. If you are requesting an expedited review, contact GBCI as soon as possible, and at least 10 business days prior to submitting your application.
GBCI is here to help, so regardless of when your certification goal date is, be sure to let us know so we can advise you in planning your journey to TRUE certification. Project teams hoping to achieve review milestones by a certain date should inform GBCI of their specific needs as early as possible. GBCI will make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests, as capacity allows.
Want to know more?
Visit the resources page of our website for key forms, guidance documents, resources and especially the TRUE Certification Planning Tool, which will help you assess your potential TRUE score and complete a gap analysis.
You can also view our articles page to learn more about how to reach your certification goal date, how to prepare for TRUE certification, whether you are eligible for TRUE certification and zero waste strategies to get started on your journey.