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LEED AP

This is a brief guide to help you start the process of becoming a LEED AP.

Download the fact sheet to find the answers to the following questions and more:

Why become a LEED AP?

In today’s building marketplace, employers and clients are increasingly looking for people who know how to design, build, operate, and maintain green buildings. Being a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) gives you an edge in the industry by showing potential employers and clients that you have knowledge about the LEED rating systems.

The new credentialing system has multiple tiers, allowing you to distinguish your level ofknowledge and expertise. The three tiers are as follows:

  1. LEED Green Associate: Demonstrates knowledge and skill in practicing green design, construction, and operations. Candidates demonstrate a basic understanding of green building and have worked in a sustainable field or engaged in an education program with green building principles. These candidates generally include students, manufactures, business professionals, facility managers, educators, marketers, etc.
  2. LEED AP: Demonstrates extraordinary knowledge and skill in practicing green design, construction, and operations. This includes specialization in a particular field. Candidates demonstrate advanced understanding of green building and have experience working on LEED projects. These candidates generally include architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors, facility managers, planners, developers, etc.
  3. LEED Fellow: An elite group of leading professionals, distinguished by their years of experience and major contributions to the green building field. The application process for this is currently under development.

Which exam should I take?

The LEED AP exam consists of 2 parts. The first part of the exam is called the LEED Green Associate exam where you are asked to demonstrates general knowledge of green building practices. The second part includes a specialty exam. There are five different Specialties:

  • Operations + Maintenance (previously Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance): Mostly for facilities and maintenance professionals, available now

  • Homes: For residential professionals, available now

  • Building Design + Construction (previously New Construction): For the majority of test takers, available September 15, 2009

  • Interior Design + Construction (previously Commercial Interiors): Mostly for interior designers, available September 15, 2009

  • Neighborhood Development: For planners, governmental, and large-scale development professionals, available in 2010

Becoming a LEED AP means passing both exams, the LEED Green Associate exam AND a specialty exam. Candidates do not have to take a Specialty exam, unless they want to be considered a LEED AP. Therefore, you can either have the LEED Green Associate credential or the LEED AP credential. To become a LEED AP, you do not have to take both parts of the exam at the same time. You can take the LEED Green Associate exam, and then the specialty exam at a later date if you so choose.

What are the requirements?

LEED Green Associate Exam

  • Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP).
  • Have experience in the form of EITHER documented involvement on a LEED-registered project OR employment (or previous employment) in a sustainable field of work OR engagement in (or completion of) an education program that addresses green building principles.
  • Submit to an application audit. Five to seven percent of all applications will be audited; you will be notified immediately if you are chosen for an audit and will be notified of your eligibility within 14 days.

LEED Specialty Exams

  • Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP).
  • Document professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation.
  • Submit to application audit. Five to seven percent of all applications will be audited; you will be notified immediately if you are chosen for an audit and will be advised of your eligibility within 14 days.

Notes

To take either exam, your experience must be documented in the form of a letter from a supervisor, client, project manager, or teacher describing involvement or a certificate of completion from a qualifying course.

Green Associate Exam:

  • Eligibility based on project involvement: You must name a specific LEED-registered project, affirm you were involved with the project, and provide dates that you were involved.
  • Eligibility based on project employment: You must explain how your profession or company relates to environmentalism or the green building industry, affirm employment, and provide job title or company name and dates of employment.
  • Eligibility based on education: You must provide the course's title and provider, explain how the course relates to green building principles or LEED, affirm you were enrolled in the course, and provide dates of enrollment.

Specialty Exams:

  • Describe your involvement on the LEED Project as a consultant, contracted worker, member of the LEED Project Team, LEED Homes Provider, LEED Commercial Reviewer, LEED Homes Green Verifier, or staff member of a Certifying Body.

How do I register?

Start by visiting the GBCI website (http://www.gbci.org/). At the top right of the page click “My Credentials.” Login if you have a profile, or click “First time here?” to register. Under “Current Options” hit “Apply for an exam.” Follow the prompts submitting all of the proper information and materials. You will be notified when your application is complete. Within a week you will be notified if your application is approved. Once approved, you can click on the supplied link and proceed to register.

How much does it cost?

For Green Associate Exam

  • Application Fee: $50

  • Exam fee (per exam appointment): $150 for USGBC National Members and full-time students $200 for all others

  • Credentialing Maintenance renewal fee: $50 every 2 years

For Combined Exam (Green Associate and Specialty Exam)

  • Application Fee: $100

  • Exam fee (per exam appointment): $300 for USGBC National Members $450 for non-members

  • Credentialing Maintenance renewal fee: $50 every 2 years

For Specialty Exam Only

  • Application fee: $100

  • Exam fee (per exam appointment): $150 for USGBC National Members $250 for non-members

  • Credentialing Maintenance renewal fee: $50 every 2 years

 

For helpful and important information by the Green Building Certification Institute, please visit www.gbci.org/. For more assistance visit NEXUS during our open hours or email the NEXUS Help Desk at nexus@greenroundtable.org.

Thanks to PPI for their generous donation of LEED study materials to NEXUS. Visit NEXUS to study for the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP Specialty Exams. See what upcoming LEED trainings are being offered at NEXUS.