Changes to the LEED AP Program
By Katie Neddenriep, PE
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First of all, there are now three tiers to the credentialing program:
Tier One: Green Associate -- This exam tests basic knowledge in green design and construction. It touches on each of the rating systems, as well as the categories of the ratings, including, for example, sustainable sites and indoor environmental quality.
Tier Two: LEED AP (with specialty) -- These exams focus on specialized areas of green building practices and include the following:
LEED-BD&C (Building Design and Construction)
LEED-ID&C (Interior Design and Construction)
LEED-O&M (Operations and Maintenance)
LEED-Homes
LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
Tier Three: LEED AP Fellow -- This tier is still under development, but will signify advanced knowledge and a contribution to green building standards.
The Green Associate exam is meant for product manufacturers, marketing professionals, or just about anyone who is interested in green design concepts but doesn't necessarily have a specialization. Test-takers need to have (1) past involvement in a LEED-registered project, (2) employment in a sustainable field of work, or (3) involvement in a green education program.
Most design professionals will probably focus on the LEED AP (with specialty) track. Passing the Green Associate exam is a requirement prior to becoming a LEED AP under the new version, unless you are already a LEED AP. For current LEED AP's, there are a few options.
The first option is to do nothing. You will still be considered a LEED AP, but you will not have a specialty designation.
The second option is to simply enroll in the new system and use one of the new designations behind your name (BD&C, etc.). If you took the LEED AP for New Construction (NC) test, the Building Design and Construction (BD&C) designation is its new equivalent.
The third option is to take one of the new exam options. For example, if you're interested in the LEED-ND system, you'd take that test but would not need to take the Green Associate exam prior to that since you're already a LEED AP. A prerequisite to taking the new version of the exam is to enroll in the new system, which entails signing a disciplinary policy, enrolling in the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP… I'll get to this later), AND having documented experience on a LEED project. The enrollment window varies, but is basically between the fall of this year and fall of 2011. For more information, click here: www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=201.
Under the new system, the Credentialing Maintenance Program requires that LEED AP's get 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Green Associates are required to have 15 hours of continuing education every two years. For more information, go to www.gbci.org and click on "credentialing maintenance."
To summarize: The LEED program is becoming more specialized, but at the same time, it's becoming more stringent. It's difficult to know how many existing LEED AP's will actually enroll in the new program. Right now, it doesn't seem to offer any additional benefits besides ensuring that LEED AP's are current with the ever-evolving green design movement. However, for those of us whose work is primarily focused outside the building footprint, it may make sense to become knowledgeable in the Neighborhood Development program. Luckily, we have until the fall of 2011 to figure out if it's worth jumping into the new system or not.
For those of you who are not currently a LEED AP but want to become one, there's no reason to delay getting started now. For the Green Associate exam, there are two publications available: One is the "Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide" (available now), and the other is the associated study guide, which can be ordered in advance now. The study guides for other released versions of the test are also available here:
www.usgbc.org/Store/PublicationsList_New.aspx?CMSPageID=1518.
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You can reach Katie Neddenriep with Olsson's Land Development team at kneddenriep@oaconsulting.com.