What is an Appeal?

An appeal is a formal written request to have a decision reconsidered. This applies specifically to adverse decisions made by the Advisory Commission or its representatives related to an individual’s achievement of a certification.

Fair Treatment in the Appeals Process

The Advisory Commission is committed to providing a fair and unbiased appeals process. Submitting, reviewing, and deciding on an appeal will not lead to any unfair treatment or discrimination. All appeals are handled objectively and fairly, and everyone who submits an appeal will be treated equally and without bias.

How to Submit an Appeal?

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Appeals Board at appeals@offsec.com within 30 days of receiving the decision. The written appeal must clearly state what is being appealed and why, and should include any relevant documents or supporting materials.

Review and Decision Timeline

Your appeal will be reviewed either at the next scheduled meeting of the Appeals Board or within 45 days of submission, whichever comes first. The Board will base its decision only on the information that was originally available to the Commission or its representatives at the time the initial decision was made.

Any member of the Appeals Board who has a conflict of interest, or whose impartiality could reasonably be questioned, will not participate in reviewing the appeal.

The Appeals Board or its representative will inform both the appellant and the Advisory Commission of the final decision within 30 days after the appeal has been reviewed.

Appeal Determination Impacting Others

If an appeal is approved and the decision affects the eligibility or exam scores of other candidates, a full review or rescoring will automatically be done for those who may be impacted. The Certification Director will notify the affected individuals of the review and the final decision within 60 days.