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Life Cycle Assessment Certified Professional Exam
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a study guide for the exam?
A: No, we do not yet have enough information to provide such a guide.

Q: What should I do to prepare for the exam?
A: There are several things you can do to prepare for the exam.

• Look at the criteria list, and make sure you understand them all thoroughly.
• Study the ISO standards on LCA. Make sure you really know them.
• Study the ACLCA Ethics statement.
• Study an LCA textbook, e.g. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to LCA

Q: Do I need a calculator for the exam?
A: No. in fact you may not bring any electronic device into the examination room. Any calculations are based on simple arithmetic that you can do by hand.

Q: What is the format of the exam?
A: The exam is a multiple-choice format.

Q: How will the exam be graded?
A: The exam will be graded on a curve. This means that approximately 30% of those taking the exam will not pass.

Q: If I fail the exam, do I have to re-register to take it again?
A: You will need to sign up for the exam, but your pre-requisite status will remain the same. You do not need to re-submit your documentation.

Q: Can you arrange an exam near me?
A: Yes, that can be arranged: contact staff@aclca.org to discuss this matter.

Q: Can I take this exam over the internet?
A: Sorry, there is no way to assure the integrity of an un-proctored exam. Only in-person tests can be administered.

Q: How long is my certification good for?
A: Your certification is good for three years. You need to submit documentation to show continuing education credits to remain certified. See the recertification process on the lcacenter.org website.

Q: I never took a course named "environmental toxicology" but I learned the material in another course. How can I prove that?
A: If you took another class that covered environmental toxicology, submit an official course description as proof. The official description should include the words "environment(al)" and "toxicology" or "toxicity"

Q: Do I need to submit an official transcript with my application?
A: No, an unofficial transcript is acceptable to meet the requirements under the method 4. The transcript must be legible.

Q: My masters or PhD Program is not call LCA, but I performed an LCA as part of my thesis. Does this meet the prerequisite for the examination?
A: Yes. If your thesis included an LCA study, that is adequate to prove that you have fulfilled the prerequisites.

Q: My internship is in modeling process chemistry. Is this adequate to fulfill the prerequisite for LCA experience?
A: No. Unless you are working on an actual LCA study, your internship is nto an LCA internship.