LEED 2009: A Detailed Look at Credentialing Changes
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This year the USGBC is adopting LEED 2009, and with it comes some significant changes in LEED AP credentialing. We’ve written another post about this topic, but felt it necessary to delve into more detail.
Under the new program, there will be three new ‘tiers’ of LEED AP accreditation and a fourth option for existing LEED AP’s. Let’s look at each one:
Tier 1 - LEED Green Associate
- Prerequisite 1: Submit to application audit. 5-7% of all applications will actually be audited.
- Prerequisite 2:Â Agree to the USGBC disciplinary policy.
- Prerequisite 3:Â Employment in a green or sustainable industry or enrolled in a relevant educational program.
- Prerequisite 4:Â Prove affiliation with LEED projects.
- Examination:Â Core competency - 2.5 hours.
- Continuing Education:Â 15 hours every 24 months
Tier 2 - LEED AP+
- Prerequisite 1:Â Submit to application audit.
- Prerequisite 2:Â Agree to the USGBC disciplinary policy.
- Prerequisite 3:Â Relevant, documented experience in at least one LEED project within last 24-36 months.
- Examination:Â Core competency AND specialization (NC, CI, H, etc.) - 4 hours (ouch!).
- Continuing Education:Â 30 hours every 24 months.
Tier 3 - LEED AP Fellow
This level of accreditation is still under development.  The USGBC writes that a ‘major contrubution to the standards of practice and body of knowledge for achieving continuous improvement in the field of green building’ is required. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
Legacy LEED AP
Anyone that is currently a LEED AP will become a Legacy LEED AP. However, in order to remain an ‘active’ LEED AP all current designees must upgrade to the LEED AP+ within 24 months of the roll-out of the new credentialing program. In order to upgrade you only have to (i) agree to the USGBC disciplinary policy and continuing education requirements and (ii) take and pass just the specialization component of the exam.
I’ve heard a lot of grumbling about the new program, but I actually think that it will be a good thing. At a minimum, the continuing education component is a good idea. Our industry changes quickly and professionals need to keep up with new developments.
Plus, making it more difficult to become an AP isn’t necessarily bad - a higher standard makes us all look good.
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9 Comments
February 10th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Hello, I just came across your site.. Very informative. Thank you for the great information as I will be attending courses (hosted by Clean Edison, also decided to take advantage of their private tutoring..I’ll take all the help I can get!) to pass the exam soon.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Thanks for stopping in, John. Best of luck on the LEED AP exam and let us know if you have any questions as you prepare.
February 10th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I’ve heard that March is the deadline to register for the AP Exam under it’s current format. Any details or exact dates on that, that you know of?
February 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Last we heard, the registration deadline is March 31st. We just had someone in our office take (and pass) the exam to beat the deadline. Please let us know if we can help in your preparations and good luck!
February 13th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Very informative site !
I became a LEED AP ( NC) in 2007..that means I will become a Legacy-AP.
I want to sign -up now for LEED-EB but is it better for me to quickly do the LEED-EB 2.2 or wait to do the LEED-EB 2009 ? If the latter , then can I apply for LEED EB 2009 now, start preparing for the exam and then sit for the accreditation exam in MAy/Juen or whenever LEED 2009 comes online ?
Thanks !
Bernard
February 18th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
You are correct that you will become a Legacy AP this year, but it probably doesn’t make any sense for you to rush to take the current version of EB now. You can opt-in to the LEED 2009 system in June (or so) and take your EB track test after that. Do it any earlier and you would have to learn the new EB standards anyway. Make sense?
Thanks for visiting and please let us know if we can help in any way.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Thanks for the feedback !
I also noted that LEED EB 2.2. is not offered at the moment - only NC and CI. So, its best I wait for the 2009 version.
On another note, can any LEED APs give me an idea what you normally charge ( or what is normally accepted ) as reasonable fees for providing LEED AP services ? I normally use 0.5% of the total Project Cost as a starting point but this seems to be very high for most clients.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Bernard. Great question and thanks for the idea for today’s post: http://leedblogger.com/2009/02/19/leed-consulting-how-much-does-it-cost/
February 25th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Bernard. Thank you for asking that question. I have been wondering that myself. I also agree that not all plans are developed with points in mind in the beginning. Any more information you can provide would be appreciated.