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Questions about Free Training
Your Registration for Training
Your Certification Exams
Your Certification
Your Membership in the GRC Group
Other Questions
Training Registration
Q: I just registered for the self-study training package that includes the textbooks, study guides and exams. What happens next?
A: Your textbooks and study guides will be mailed out by the end of the week. Please allow one week for delivery. You will receive an email confirmation along with a request for your proctor's information for the certification exams. After we receive your proctor's information, we will set up your certification exams within 24-48 hours.
Q: What does the online training package include?
A: The online training package includes the 16-hour online training, textbooks, and study guides. It does not include the certification exams.
Q: When can I take the online training?
A: The online training is available to you anytime, anywhere where you have a secure internet connection.
Q: I only registered for the self-study training that includes the textbooks and study guides. I would like to register for the online training that also includes the textbooks and study guides. Will I receive a credit for the extra set of materials?
A: Yes, we are able to credit the fee of the materials from your online training fee. After registering for the online training, please email us directly or using the contact form and we will credit the fee for the materials and not send you an extra set.
Q: Where and when are your classroom trainings?
A: Classes are held in cities throughout the U.S. For a list of locations and dates, please click here.
Q: Is training in Sarbanes-Oxley important?
A: We think so! And so do the experts. See what Carl Geppert, Partner, KPMG, US, had to say in Global Telecom Business: "You have train people in Sarbanes-Oxley. You have to train people in internal controls - starting with what is a control, how you document controls, how you construct a process flow, how you evaluate the operations and the effectiveness of the control ... There's a training need across the business for anyone touched by SOX" (reproduced with permission).
Certification Exams
Q: What is the format of your CSOX certification exams?
A: Each certification exam is an open book proctored exam that consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in 60 minutes. Passing rate is 70%.
Q: What are my options if I failed the certification exam?
A: You can register for a retake of the same exam. Click here to register for the exam. Once your retake exam is set up, you will receive an email confirmation with your user id and password. Please allow up to 24 hours for the setup of the exam.
Q: Since the exams are open book, can I reference any textbooks, research papers, etc. when taking the exam?
A: No, you are only allowed to reference the textbooks listed in your email confirmation for your registration. Your proctor also has the list of allowed textbooks.
Q: How long are the CSOX certification exams valid?
A: The exams are valid for 12 months from the date of your registration. After 12 months, the exams will automatically expire and you will no longer have access to them.
Q: I just signed up for the CSOX certification exams. Who can be my proctor?
A: An approved proctor is someone with whom you currently work (colleague) or someone to whom you currently report or have reported to in the past (supervisor).
Q: What are my proctor's responsibilities?
A: Your proctor must be present when you take each exam. He or she will unlock the website for you so that you can sign in and take the exam.
Q: I just registered for the exams, when can I take them?
A: After we receive your registration, you will receive an email requesting for your proctor's information. After we receive your proctor's information, we will send the relevant information to him/her and to you. When you receive the login information, you will be able to take the exam anytime, anywhere (up to 12 months) with your proctor present.
Q: What are my options if my CSOX exams have already expired?
A: You can email the Certification Committee with your request to take an expired exam. Please email your request to exams@grcg.com, with the subject line "CSOX Examination Request - Expired Exam."
Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final. If your request is approved, you will be given access to the exams as well as a new expiration date. If your request is denied, you will be provided with the next steps you need to take on your path to certification.
Q: What are my options if my CSOX exams are going to expire but I cannot take them in time?
A: You can email the Certification Committee with your request for an extension. Please email your request to exams@grcg.com, with the subject line "CSOX Certification Exams - Extension Request."
Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final. If your request is approved, you will be given a new expiration date for your exams. If your request is denied, your exams expiration date will not change.
Q: What is the study guide?
A: The study guide consists of chapter reviews for each chapter in the textbook, as well as questions and answers for each chapter in the textbook.
Q: Are the certification exams based on the study guide or the textbooks?
A: The exams are based on the textbooks only.
Certification
Q: What is the difference between being "certified in" an area and being a "certified professional?"
A: To be "certified in" an area, you must have a minimum of three years of professional experience and knowledge of the subject matter (either through passing an exam or through experience). To be a "certified professional," you must have a minimum of three years of related work experience in the subject matter and knowledge of the subject matter (either through passing an exam or through experience).
Q: I recently passed my certification exams. What happens next?
A: Once you pass all of your certification exams (two exams if you registered for the self-study/online training and one exam if you are attending a classroom training), you can expect to receive the actual CSOX certificate from us within two weeks.
Q: How long is my CSOX Certification valid?
A: Your CSOX Certification is valid for 12 months from the activation date, which is included on your CSOX certificate.
Q: What are the requirements to maintain my Base-Level Certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: The requirements include:
- Current membership in the GRC Group
- Read subject matter related journals and newsletters or attend seminars, webinars, trainings or conferences for a cumulative total of 12 hours per year.
Click here to maintain your certification(s).
Q: What are the requirements to maintain Pro-Level Certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: The requirements include:
- Current membership in the GRC Group
- Read subject matter related journals and newsletters or attend seminars, webinars, trainings or conferences for a cumulative total of 12 hours per year.
- An average of 1,200 hours/year of SOX-related work experience over the past three years, as verifiable by two professional references.
Click here to maintain your certification(s).
Q: How do I renew my certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: To renew your certification(s), use this link to review requirements for annual maintenance. Then, complete the online application and registration for annual maintenance. Please note that there are two steps to the process. Please complete both to ensure that your registration for annual maintenance goes smoothly.
Q: I currently hold a Pro-Level Certification but will not have the required work experience this year. What do I do?
A: When it is time to renew your Pro-Level Certification, use this link. On the online application form, answer "yes" to the question regarding reverting back to the Base-level Certification. Once you have additional work-related experience, you can re-apply for the Pro-Level Certification.
Q: I currently have the Base-Level Certification. How do I upgrade to the Pro-Level Certification?
A: You can upgrade your certification provided you have the required experience. Use this link to apply for an upgrade.
Membership in the GRC Group
Q: I am currently a member of The GRC Group. How do I log in to read the members-only content?
A: You can use the Member Login area (located in the right column) to log into the members-only area.
Q: How do I update my membership profile?
A: To update your profile, use the following link.
Q: I lost my password. How do I log in?
A: Use the following link to update your profile and change your password.
Q: How do I renew my membership in the GRC Group?
A: To renew your membership, use this link.
Q: What are the fees associated with membership?
A: There are several membership options. To review the options and join, visit our membership page.
Q: What are the benefits to becoming a member of the GRC Group?
A: There are numerous benefits to joining the GRC Group, including free access to webinars, discounts on our training programs, and much more. To read about the benefits of joining, visit our membership page.
Q: The SOX Institute changed its name to the GRC Group. For my current certifications, how should my resume reflect that change?
A: The SOX Institute is one of the institutes within the GRC Group. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to it in your resume as "SOX Institute, GRC Group."
Other Questions
Q: Where can I find downloadable white papers?
A: All downloadable white papers can be found under Research and Resources in our Education Center. Use this link to view all available papers for download.
Q: Where can I find past webinar presentations?
A: All webinar presentations are available for download in the Webinar area in our Education Center. Use this link to view all archived webinar presentations. Members of the GRC Group also have access to audio recordings of past webinars.
Q: Do you accept checks?
A: While we generally prefer online payment via credit card, we can (in some instances) accept company checks made out to the Sarbanes Oxley Group. We do not accept personal checks.
Q: What category PMI PDUs do you offer?
A: Category 4 (no limit on number of PDUs). The appropriate number of PDUs are listed in the course description.
Q: What CPEs are available with your training?
A: There are two kinds of CPEs available with our training: NASBA CPEs and Industry CPEs.
NASBA CPEs: CPEs for CPAs (i.e. those recognized by many/most State Boards of Accountancy) and are available only through our group-live classroom training.
Industry CPEs: CPEs recognized by companies such as ACFE, ISACA, etc and are available through our group-live classroom training as well as our self-study training (textbook-based and online training).
Ultimate decision to accept CPEs rests with the respective body/organization, and it is your responsibility to check with them (i.e. State Boards of Accountancy, ACFE, ISACA etc).
Q: How do you handle refunds in currencies other than the U.S. dollar?
A: Unfortunately, exchange rate fluctuations for international payments are unavoidable. All monies refunded are in U.S. dollars, and will reflect the exchange rate in effect on the date of the refund. The GRC Group/SOX Institute is not responsible for changes in exchange rates.