The Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) Certificate is a credential from the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) that tests how well you understand climate related risk, sustainable finance and transition planning. It suits risk managers, analysts, ESG specialists, bankers, insurers and consultants who need to apply climate thinking to decisions. You earn it by passing one computer based exam of 80 multiple choice questions, with no work experience required.
GARP built the program to give risk and finance professionals a shared baseline in anticipating and managing climate risk. The exam covers the frameworks and methods used inside organizations, so passing signals that you can assess sustainability and climate challenges, not only describe them. The program is guided by an advisory committee of senior practitioners from banks, data providers, universities and development institutions, which keeps the content close to how risk work is actually done.
GARP states that no work experience in sustainability or climate risk is required. The exam is offered in American English only. It is not highly quantitative: a few questions need limited multiplication and division, an understanding of ratios, or familiarity with measurement units, and some present graphs or tables. A digital calculator appears on screen during the exam.
The exam has 80 equally weighted multiple choice questions, including one case study with several linked questions. Candidates have a maximum of four hours and can finish early. Results are pass or fail, and GARP also gives quartile results showing how you performed relative to other candidates.
You can sit the exam remotely through Pearson VUE’s online proctoring system or on site at a Pearson VUE computer based testing center. The rules differ slightly. Remote candidates must complete a room scan, keep their phone out of reach after check in, and cannot take breaks. In person candidates need proctor approval to leave the room, and no extra time is given. Your registered name must exactly match your government issued photo ID.
The curriculum has ten chapters:
Foundations of Climate Change
Sustainability
Climate Change Risk
Sustainability and Climate Policy, Culture, and Governance
Green and Sustainable Finance: Markets and Instruments
Climate Risk Measurement and Management
Climate Models and Scenario Analysis
Net Zero
Climate and Nature Risk Assessment
Transition Planning and Carbon Reporting
GARP reviews the curriculum every year and releases revised materials on December 1 for the following calendar year, so always study from the edition that matches your exam date. Check the current SCR Candidate Guide for any weighting guidance.
Fees depend on your registration date and membership status, and exclude VAT, GST or similar taxes.
Candidate type | Early registration | Standard registration |
|---|---|---|
FRM, RAI or ERP holder | USD 525 | USD 625 |
Individual GARP member | USD 550 | USD 650 |
Non member | USD 650 | USD 750 |
Registration includes the GARP Learning platform with the full curriculum, two full length practice exams and the SCR Climate PAL tool. The printed book is optional and costs USD 100 plus shipping. If you fail, do not schedule, or schedule and do not sit, GARP offers a one time reduced retake fee for either of the next two exam windows. After that, standard fees apply again. Wire and ACH payments carry an extra USD 50 processing fee.
GARP runs the exam twice a year, in April and October. The next windows listed by GARP are April 17 to 21, 2027 and October 16 to 20, 2027. Early registration for April opens December 1 and standard registration opens February 1. For October, early registration opens May 1 and standard opens August 1.
The process has four stages: register and pay for a specific window, schedule your date and format, prepare, then sit the exam. You must schedule at least 48 hours before your preferred start time, and seats are first come, first served. You can reschedule within your window until 48 hours before the exam. Always use GARP’s registration page for exact steps and current deadlines.
Climate risk now sits inside credit, market, operational and strategic risk work, and the syllabus mirrors that: scenario analysis, disclosure, transition planning and nature related risk are all examined. That makes the certificate relevant to risk teams, sustainable finance desks and ESG or disclosure functions in banks, insurers, asset managers and corporates. Passing earns an electronic certificate and a digital badge you can share. Holders who want to stay current can pursue GARP’s CPD program, which asks for 20 credits per two year cycle but is not compulsory.
GARP estimates 100 to 150 hours of preparation and recommends a weekly study schedule instead of last minute cramming. Start with the official GARP Learning materials and both official practice exams. Our free SCR practice tests can then add extra repetition, especially for scenario style questions that mirror the case study. Use them to find weak chapters, then return to the official text to fix them
Last updated on Oct, 22 2026
