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June 2009 Update:  NEW LEED 3.0 Technical Review + Exam Prep Course at MiaGreen Conference.

LEED 2009 (v3) Update
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between LEED Version 3 and LEED 2009?
LEED 2009 is part of LEED Version 3 (v3). LEED 2009 refers to the actual LEED rating system and LEED credits. LEED 2009, coupled with an expanded third-party certification program and significant enhancements to LEED Online, make up the multi-faceted initiative that we refer to as LEED v3.


Which rating systems will be incorporated into LEED 2009?
LEED 2009 will incorporate New Construction, Core and Shell, Commercial Interiors, Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance and Schools.

What notable advancements will be reflected in LEED 2009?
• LEED Prerequisite/Credit Alignment and Harmonization
• Predictable Development Cycle
• Transparent Environmental/Human Impact Credit Weighting
• Regionalization


How will LEED 2009 affect the LEED AP (Accredited Professional) Exam?
The current version of the LEED AP exam will be available through 2008. Beginning in early 2009, after LEED 2009 launches, exams will be updated to reflect the new changes. The LEED Professional Accreditation exam will continue to keep pace with USGBC’s LEED Rating System. GBCI is working with volunteer subject matter experts and exam development consultants to evaluate how the LEED AP credential will reflect LEED 2009.


What is the difference between the current exam system and the LEED AP+ ?
There are three differences between the current exam system and the new tiered system:

1.  There will be three tiers of excellence for a professional to pursue. This improves upon the current exam system by providing a mechanism to recognize knowledge and expertise beyond a basic understanding of green building practices. A tiered credentialing system allows the marketplace to distinguish among practitioners with fundamental, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge.
2.   There are eligibility requirements for all tiers of the new system.
3.   There are credentialing maintenance requirements for all tiers of the new system. As sustainable technologies advance and the LEED Rating System evolves, LEED credentialing needs a mechanism to ensure that LEED Professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices.


What is the timeline for introducing the new tiered system?
The changes will be phased in throughout 2009 starting with the LEED Green Associate Exam and the LEED AP+ Operations & Maintenance exams, which will be launched in May 2009. (Please see timeline below.)

MARCH 2009
LEED AP New Construction v2.2 – Registration Deadline
LEED AP Commercial Interiors v2.0 – Registration Deadline

SPRING 2009
LEED Green Associate Exam – Launch (May)
LEED AP+ Operations & Maintenance Exam – Launch (May)
LEED AP+ Building Design & Construction Exam – Beta Test
LEED AP+ Interior Design & Construction Exam - Beta Test
New Candidate Application Available

SUMMER 2009
LEED AP+ Homes Exam - Launch
LEED AP+ Building Design & Construction - Launch
LEED AP+ Interior Design & Construction - Launch
New Credentialing Maintenance Program – Launch

2010
LEED AP+ Neighborhood Development
Visit www.gbci.org for announcements and updates


What are the three tiers of LEED Accreditation under the new tiered system?
Tier I LEED Green Associate: As the first step in the LEED professional’s career pathway, the Green Associate credential attests to the candidate’s knowledge of good environmental practice and skill, and reflects understanding and support of green design, construction, and operations. There are no specialties within the LEED Green Associate tier.

Tier II  LEED AP+: The LEED AP+ credential signifies an advanced depth of knowledge of green building practices. LEED AP+s will earn their credentials in one (or more) of the following five specialties:
1. Building Design & Construction (BD&C)
2. Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
3. Interior Design & Construction (ID&C)
4. Homes
5. Neighborhood Development (ND)

Tier III LEED AP Fellow: Although the application process is currently under development, this tier will distinguish an elite class of leading professionals. Fellows contribute to the standards of practice and body of knowledge for achieving continuous improvement in the green building field.

How will the exams differ from the current process?
Tier I, the LEED Green Associate exam, is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination; you will have 2 hours to complete the exam. This core knowledge exam is also part 1 of the LEED AP+ examinations. If you become eligible to take the LEED AP+ exam and you have maintained your LEED Green Associate credential, you will not have to take this exam again.

Tier II, the LEED AP+ exams, will be two parts. The exams are multiple-choice and computer-based. The first part will be the core knowledge exam (taken by Tier I, LEED Green Associates) about green building and general knowledge about the LEED Rating System. The second part will be a specialty exam depending on the track you choose. You will have 4 hours to complete both parts of the exam.

What if I pass only one part of the LEED AP+ exam?
If you pass one part of the LEED AP+ exam, you will have to retake only the part you failed.


What if I want to get an additional specialty (other than the one I originally enrolled in/tested for)?
You will have to apply to take only the specialty portion of the exam. The cost associated with taking only a specialty exam is $100 application fee; $150 exam fee for USGBC national members and $250 exam fee for non-members.


What are the requirements to take a LEED AP+ exam?
1.  Agree to the Disciplinary Policy and Credential Maintenance Requirements as outlined at www.gbci.org.
2.  Document professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED online or employer attestation.
3.  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.


What are the Credential Maintenance Requirements for a LEED AP+?
Participate in 30 hours of continuing education required every 2 years, with 6 hours obtained from an approved program specific to the LEED Rating System, credit categories, and LEED updates.

The information on Credentialing Maintenance will be available in the first quarter of 2009. The tiered system will be flexible to allow credit for other than taking a class or attending a workshop. Please visit www.gbci.org for more information in the first quarter of 2009.


What are the costs associated with becoming a LEED AP+?
Credential Fees: $100 application fee; $300 USGBC National Member fee per exam appointment or $450 non-member fee per exam appointment; $50 maintenance fee every 2 years. Any additional specialty exam is $150 for USGBC National Members per exam appointment and $200 for non-members per exam appointment, plus the application fee.


What are the requirements to obtain the LEED AP Fellow credential?
These requirements are currently under development and GBCI will provide additional information in 2009.


What if I register my project under the current LEED system – will I be required to switch to LEED 2009 in January?
Projects registering under the current LEED rating systems will have the option to upgrade to LEED 2009 during the transition time when the new system launches with LEED online, or they can continue to use the version of LEED under which they registered.


Will LEED 2009 apply to LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development?
At this time, LEED 2009 is only for commercial building applications and their existing rating systems (LEED for: New Construction, Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, Commercial Interiors, Schools and Core & Shell).


How will LEED 2009 affect LEED for Retail, Healthcare, and Schools?
LEED for Retail and Healthcare will be aligned with LEED 2009. The date is to be determined in 2009, more information to follow.


Where can I find further information?
For more information about LEED 2009, visit www.usgbc.org/leed2009


How do I fit into the new tiered system as a current LEED AP?
LEED APs credentialed prior to June 2009 have three options:
Become a LEED AP+ by enrolling in the new tiered system—i.e. agreeing to the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) and signing the Disciplinary Policy—and completing the prescriptive CMP requirements for the initial 2-year reporting period. Once you have enrolled, you will use one of the new specialty designations (O&M, BD&C, ID&C) after your name. Enrollment must occur before June 2011.

Become a LEED AP+ by passing one of the new specialty examinations; only part 2 of a LEED AP+ exam will be required if testing by June 2011. When applying for the exam you will need to sign the Disciplinary Policy and agree to CMP. You will need to complete the ongoing CMP for your designation and will use one of the new specialty designations (O&M, BD&C, ID&C) after your name.

Do nothing; you will be designated a LEED AP without a specialty title in the LEED Professional Directory.


How do the LEED AP+ specialties correspond to the LEED AP exam tracks?
Operations & Maintenance, formerly Existing Buildings (LEED AP+O&M)
Building Design & Construction, formerly New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED AP+BD&C)
Interior Design & Construction, formerly Commercial Interiors (LEED AP+ID&C)

Legacy LEED APs will automatically enroll in the specialty that corresponds to the exam track through which they were originally accredited. Legacy LEED APs may request to enroll in a different specialty among O&M, BD&C and ID&C, if it is more applicable to their field of work.

What is the cost for a current LEED AP to enroll in CMP?
The $50 credentialing maintenance fee for the first 2-year CMP reporting period will be waived for current LEED APs who enroll in the new tiered system between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2011. After June 30, 2011, the credential maintenance fee will be $50 every 2 years.


When can I enroll in the new tiered system?
Legacy LEED APs can enroll in the new tiered system between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2011. GBCI will contact existing LEED APs as future developments warrant.

What if I choose not to enroll in the new tiered system?
You will be designated a LEED AP without a specialty title in the LEED Professional Directory.