Major Changes to the LEED System Coming This Spring
The LEED rating system, as many now are aware, will be undergoing a major change this spring with the roll-out of LEED 2009 (Version 3.0)
With this change will be a MAJOR change to the LEED AP process. First, a three-tiered system will replace the present single credential. Secondly, there will now be a prior experience in green building that must be demonstrated, along with a separate application form submitted before one can apply to take the LEED AP Exam. In addition, ALL levels of credentials will now require continuing education maintenance to be completed on a two year basis. It must also be mentioned that USGBC no longer administers the LEED AP Exam or handles the credentials process; this is now done by a separate sister organization, the Green Building Certification Institute.
At the entry level, will be the LEED Green Associate. This will be a general credential for people that have limited exposure to green building, such as students. Even here, interest and involvement in the support of LEED process will be required prior to taking a new Core LEED Exam of two and one half hours in length, which covers the general areas of green building.
The second level, the LEED AP+ will now require actual involvement on a LEED registered project prior to taking the LEED AP Exam, which now will be in TWO parts -- the Core Exam as described for the LEED Green Associate, AND a separate Specialty Exam in the area that the person wishes to practice, such as Building Design and Construction (Old N/C) as well as a choice from other areas, such as LEED for Homes, Operations and Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, among others. This specialty exam will be one and one-half hours in length. Once both exams are passed -- now a total of four hours -- the applicant will be awarded the LEED AP+ credential that will have the designations of the specialty area(s) noted after the AP+. (NOTE: Only three re-takes are permitted if one fails either of the two exams on the first attempt, before a three month waiting period, and the need to re-apply is triggered) Both exams will still be multiple choice computer based exams, administered in the same fashion as before.
The most elite level will be the LEED Fellow, which is still being clarified, but will include the very few LEED Professionals that pass a very rigorous peer review process of their LEED project portfolios.
Another new item here is the STRICT code of disciplinary conduct that must be agreed to by all LEED Professionals. Along with the usual abidance to laws and professional codes, professional performance, adherence to specific GBCI standards will also be audited and actions taken against those who run afoul of this.
Current LEED AP's (those that have earned the credential prior to May, 2009) will be given two years (until June, 2011) to opt in to this new system, or else they will retain their current LEED AP credential in an INACTIVE state. To opt in, they must agree to the Disciplinary Code AND agree to take 30 hours of continuing maintenance every two years. They will be assigned the LEED AP+ credential in the specialty area that they either tested in or have experience. They will not be asked to re-test, but if they want additional designations added to their LEED AP+, they will only need to take the specialty exam in that area.
Thus, the LEED AP Credential will become even harder to obtain, as not only will prior green building tenure be required, but an an even more rigorous exam process will be in place, along with ongoing continuing eduction required. This has been instituted due to criticism that the original LEED credential lacked credibility, especially over a long period of time, if one did not up-date his or her education and training to keep up with the ongoing changes in green building. Also, no prior LEED experience was ever required. (This issue, however has been controversial, as many individuals have gained valuable expertise from non-LEED projects or other sources. (It must be noted that many organizations, such as ASHRAE and most of the energy efficiency organizations have similar work and/or other experience requirements prior to be eligible to take their exams.) In addition, it was felt that a differentiation in the level of expertise was needed as well; hence the new three-tiered system.
Due to the current state of the economy, it may be hard for some to enter the LEED AP system, as prior work experience with a LEED project may be difficult, if not impossible to come by for many.
For further information and updates, go the Green Building Certification Institute web site.
With this change will be a MAJOR change to the LEED AP process. First, a three-tiered system will replace the present single credential. Secondly, there will now be a prior experience in green building that must be demonstrated, along with a separate application form submitted before one can apply to take the LEED AP Exam. In addition, ALL levels of credentials will now require continuing education maintenance to be completed on a two year basis. It must also be mentioned that USGBC no longer administers the LEED AP Exam or handles the credentials process; this is now done by a separate sister organization, the Green Building Certification Institute.
At the entry level, will be the LEED Green Associate. This will be a general credential for people that have limited exposure to green building, such as students. Even here, interest and involvement in the support of LEED process will be required prior to taking a new Core LEED Exam of two and one half hours in length, which covers the general areas of green building.
The second level, the LEED AP+ will now require actual involvement on a LEED registered project prior to taking the LEED AP Exam, which now will be in TWO parts -- the Core Exam as described for the LEED Green Associate, AND a separate Specialty Exam in the area that the person wishes to practice, such as Building Design and Construction (Old N/C) as well as a choice from other areas, such as LEED for Homes, Operations and Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, among others. This specialty exam will be one and one-half hours in length. Once both exams are passed -- now a total of four hours -- the applicant will be awarded the LEED AP+ credential that will have the designations of the specialty area(s) noted after the AP+. (NOTE: Only three re-takes are permitted if one fails either of the two exams on the first attempt, before a three month waiting period, and the need to re-apply is triggered) Both exams will still be multiple choice computer based exams, administered in the same fashion as before.
The most elite level will be the LEED Fellow, which is still being clarified, but will include the very few LEED Professionals that pass a very rigorous peer review process of their LEED project portfolios.
Another new item here is the STRICT code of disciplinary conduct that must be agreed to by all LEED Professionals. Along with the usual abidance to laws and professional codes, professional performance, adherence to specific GBCI standards will also be audited and actions taken against those who run afoul of this.
Current LEED AP's (those that have earned the credential prior to May, 2009) will be given two years (until June, 2011) to opt in to this new system, or else they will retain their current LEED AP credential in an INACTIVE state. To opt in, they must agree to the Disciplinary Code AND agree to take 30 hours of continuing maintenance every two years. They will be assigned the LEED AP+ credential in the specialty area that they either tested in or have experience. They will not be asked to re-test, but if they want additional designations added to their LEED AP+, they will only need to take the specialty exam in that area.
Thus, the LEED AP Credential will become even harder to obtain, as not only will prior green building tenure be required, but an an even more rigorous exam process will be in place, along with ongoing continuing eduction required. This has been instituted due to criticism that the original LEED credential lacked credibility, especially over a long period of time, if one did not up-date his or her education and training to keep up with the ongoing changes in green building. Also, no prior LEED experience was ever required. (This issue, however has been controversial, as many individuals have gained valuable expertise from non-LEED projects or other sources. (It must be noted that many organizations, such as ASHRAE and most of the energy efficiency organizations have similar work and/or other experience requirements prior to be eligible to take their exams.) In addition, it was felt that a differentiation in the level of expertise was needed as well; hence the new three-tiered system.
Due to the current state of the economy, it may be hard for some to enter the LEED AP system, as prior work experience with a LEED project may be difficult, if not impossible to come by for many.
For further information and updates, go the Green Building Certification Institute web site.
Posted by Alan L. Englander at 1/13/2009 11:59 PM 
Categories: LEED, Credential Maintenance Requiremets, Disciplanary Agreement, LEED AP, Eligibility
Categories: LEED, Credential Maintenance Requiremets, Disciplanary Agreement, LEED AP, Eligibility
Comments