How to Become LEED Certified: A Comprehensive Guide

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is a globally recognized gold standard for measuring the environmental sustainability of buildings. Whether you are looking to become a LEED Green Associate (GA) or an Associated Professional (AP), or you need to certify a building project, this guide will walk you through the process.

Becoming a LEED Green Associate (GA)

Before you can pursue higher levels of LEED certification, you must start with becoming a LEED Green Associate. This credential is the foundation for LEED certification and is crucial for anyone looking to work in the green building sector.

Step 1: Understand the Qualifications

To become a LEED GA, you must pass a comprehensive exam that covers the basics of the LEED Green Building Rating System. This exam tests your understanding of building codes, LEED requirements, and minimum project requirements (MPR) for various types of buildings.

Step 2: Download the LEED Green Associates Handbook

The LEED Green Associates Handbook, available for free on the LEED website, is a comprehensive resource that covers testing, registration, certification, and frequently asked questions. It is essential to read it completely to ensure a thorough understanding of the requirements.

Step 3: Apply for the LEED Green Associate Exam

The exam is administered at specific testing sites throughout the country. To register for the test, apply online. Locate an exam center near you, and schedule an appointment. The test costs $250, but previous LEED members can receive a $50 rebate.

Step 4: Study for the Exam

There are several options available for studying:

Classes: Attend a class to get comprehensive guidance. Official LEED Exam Book: Purchase the official LEED exam book to get an in-depth understanding of the material. Online Course: Enroll in an online course through the Building Council for flexible learning.

The GA test requires specific knowledge of building codes, LEED requirements, and MPR, so you need to memorize a lot of standards and facts to keep them all straight. The Green Building Council provides a primer with practice problems and links to suggested study materials on their website.

Step 5: Know the Types of Questions on the Test

The test consists of 100 randomly chosen multiple-choice questions and is taken electronically at your testing site. You can expect the following types of questions:

Recalling Facts and Codes: Simply remembering and reciting facts and building codes from the exam prep book. Problems Scenarios: Being given a problem or scenario and asked to solve it using familiar theories and practices of green buildings and LEED codes. Complex Problems: These require breaking down complex problems and determining a solution that accounts for multiple relationships, theories, and interactions within a building.

Step 6: Take the Test

On the day of the test, bring a valid, non-expired photo ID. You will be seated at a personal workstation and given 100 questions to answer within a two-hour window. You must answer all of them but can skip and return to questions later. You must score to pass, and you will be given a 10-minute break midway through the test.

Step 7: Print Your Certification

Once you pass, your Green Building Council account will update to reflect your new certification, and you will receive a link to print a copy. You can now legally refer to yourself as a LEED Green Associate on any official documents or resumes.

Becoming a LEED Associated Professional (AP)

To become a LEED AP, you must already have a LEED GA certification. APs have specific, detailed knowledge in one area of LEED certification, such as building design and construction, interior design and construction, home construction, operations and maintenance, neighborhood development, and home sustainability. Each AP certificate focuses on a distinct aspect of building sustainability.

Step 1: Attain Your LEED Green Associate Certification

As mentioned earlier, the LEED GA certification is mandatory before you can become an AP.

Step 2: Determine the LEED AP Certificate You Need

Decide which type of AP certificate is most suitable for your career goals. Each certificate has specific requirements and focuses on different aspects of LEED certification.

Step 3: Register for Your Test

The AP test is also administered at specific testing sites nationwide. To register, apply online and find an exam center near you. You can take both the GA test and your specific AP test together to save time and money.

Step 4: Study for Your Specific Test

Each test has unique questions and requirements, so ensure you have the correct study materials and classes if needed. Exam prep guides for each test can be found on the LEED website.

Step 5: Take the Test

On the day of the test, bring a valid non-expired photo ID. You will be seated at a personal computer and given 100 questions to answer within a two-hour window. You must answer all of them, and you can skip and return to questions later. You must score to pass, and you will be given a 10-minute break midway through the test.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

As an AP, you must prove that you have earned 30 continuing education (CE) hours every two years, with at least 6 of those being LEED-specific. This can include building projects, classes, or internships. Failure to document your CE hours will result in having to retake the test after two years.

Certifying a Building Project with LEED

To certify a building with LEED, you need to ensure it meets the program's requirements and apply for certification through the LEED process.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Any new building — commercial or residential — is eligible for LEED certification if it is a permanent structure, meets local building codes, and fits the LEED size requirements. Additionally, new neighborhoods, building upgrades, and complete remodeling projects can also be certified.

Step 2: Determine Project Type

There are several types of projects that can be certified:

Building Design and Construction: Certifies any newly constructed building that meets LEED requirements. Operations and Management: Certifies improvements to existing buildings that make them more efficient or green. Interior Design and Construction: Certifies interior designs as healthy and efficient workspaces. Neighborhood Development: Certifies neighborhood construction design and planning. Saadil Homes: Certifies individual homes as efficient in energy consumption and waste management.

Step 3: Understand the LEED Credit System

LEED credits are the building blocks of your certification. They add up to form your building's overall score, ranging from basic certifications to higher levels such as Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 points).

Step 4: Consult LEED Certified Professionals

Consult LEED-certified Associated Professionals (APs) to help plan, design, and build LEED-specific projects. There are various types of APs, each specializing in a specific field related to your project. For example, AP-OMs (Operations and Management) are trained to work on improvement projects.

Step 5: Apply Online for LEED Certification

This process can take several months. Here's what you need to do:

Create a U.S. Green Building Council account. Register your building project. Ensure you apply for each building individually if you are certifying multiple buildings for a campus or large project. Provide documentation of LEED credits.

Step 6: Know the LEED Certification Deadline

The deadline changes annually. The Green Building Council publishes the deadlines online, so make sure to check their website for the current year's deadline.

Step 7: Work with the US Green Building Council During the Review Process

Within 20-25 days, you will get a review of your application, detailing the credits you will receive and any issues with your project. You will be asked to either accept the review or make any necessary changes to your proposal. If you do not resubmit the proposal, it will be reviewed again before being accepted or denied. If denied, you may appeal by adding new credits, documentation, or testimony to your application.