What is LEED?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (otherwise known as LEED) is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED certified buildings promote sustainable design and are primarily designed by a LEED AP who has been certified through the USGBC.

What is a LEED Accredited Professional? What is the LEED test? How do I become LEED certified?

Many people ask us "what is leed?". A LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) is a person who has met all the requirements for the LEED Accreditation Professional credentialing program and has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the design process, to support and encourage integrated design, and to streamline a project's LEED application and certification process. The accreditation process involves taking and passing an exam as well as meeting certain prerequisites specific to one of the available credentialing "levels". LEED certification applies to buildings.

What does "LEED 2009" refer to?

LEED 2009 refers to the new LEED Rating System developed and implemented by the USGBC in 2009.

What is the current LEED version?

LEED version 2009 (LEED Version 3) is the current version of the LEED green building certification system developed by the USGBC and GBCI. Launched on April 27, 2009, LEED encompasses the LEED 2009 rating system, the online LEED certification tool and the LEED credentialing program. Samples of our free leed exam are located on the menu to the left.

Who takes the LEED Exam?

The LEED credential is available not only to design professionals - such as architects or engineers - but also to marketing professionals, attorneys, developers, real estate agents, owners, maintenance staff, specialty consultants, product or manufacturers' representatives, lenders, contractors, and any others involved in the design, construction, or operation of green buildings.

Why should I take the LEED Exam? What is LEED going to do for me?

Becoming LEED accredited opens the door to a wealth of opportunity within the building, design and construction world. LEED is the most distinguished and widely accepted environmental design and green building certification.

LEED is well-established in both the public and private sectors for classifying a "green building". In the U.S. government, LEED is used at the General Services Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of State, Energy, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Interior to encourage and evaluate green building design and construction for all new and major renovation projects. LEED is also used in construction projects of the Navy, Army, and Air Force. Most states require new state-funded projects to achieve a minimum level of LEED certification, and increasing numbers of local governments, higher education institutions, and public schools are encouraging or requiring their new facilities and major renovations to be LEED certified. Many corporations are also choosing LEED certification for their facilities when construction of green buildings supports their corporate mission.

How does the LEED credentialing program work?

Before 2009, there was only one LEED credential: the LEED Accredited Professional, or LEED AP. Exam candidates could achieve this credential by following one of three tracks - LEED for New Construction, LEED for Commercial Interiors, or LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. Each of which focused on the corresponding LEED rating system.

The LEED AP credentialing program now includes three levels of credentials. Each level indicates the level of knowledge, experience, and proficiency in green building design held by an Accredited Professional. What is the LEED types of professional certification?

• LEED Green Associate
• LEED AP with Specialty
• LEED AP Fellow

Each of the above levels has unique pre-requisites, requirements, exam content and associated fees. Please click on the provided links on the left side and be sure to take a free LEED exam today to test your LEED knowledge.