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The Land Environment Economics and Development (LEED)
credentialing program allows designers, builders and other professionals the
opportunity to prove that they are current in knowledge about green building and
the LEED rating system. To become a LEED Accredited Professional (AP), you must
meet certain requirements, such as having experience working on green projects
or in sustainability. You also must pass the appropriate tests.When you first
decide to become a LEED Accredited Professional, you must determine which level
of accreditation you would like to pursue. The LEED credentials that were
available as of November 2010 were those of LEED Green Associate, LEED AP Homes,
LEED AP Interior Design + Construction, LEED AP Building Design + Construction,
LEED AP Operations + Maintenance and LEED AP Neighborhood Development. All of
the designations require that candidates possess experience in green building or
sustainability. This experience can be had on LEED-accredited projects or
through professional development as well as through a course of accredited
educational programs. To become a LEED Accredited Professional, taking an exam
is also necessary. For instance, to attain certain LEED AP statuses, you must
take the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam. This exam requires you to participate
in training beforehand, including a series of self-guided, online modules and a
two-day classroom workshop. To become a LEED Accredited Professional at the LEED
Green Associate level, for instance, only one part of this exam is necessary,
compared with two for the LEED AP designation. The test consists of 80 questions
that cover most every aspect of the LEED rating system, including the five main
topic areas of green building and sustainability: indoor air quality, materials
and resources, energy and atmosphere, sustainable sites and water efficiency.
You must score 170 or above on the required section of this exam to become a
LEED Accredited Professional. If you pass, you will then be notified of your
success and will be able to begin using your LEED credentials. If you fail, LEED
permits you to register for exams two more times while your application to
become a LEED Accredited professional is still active. You also can submit an
appeal to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the organization
that oversees the entire LEED certification process. This appeal process,
however, is worthwhile only if you believe that certain questions were
technically inaccurate. |
