LEED Certification

What Qualifications Do You Need for LEED Training?

If you want to look into LEED training for full accreditation, then you will want to make sure that you meet all of the prerequisite requirements before you start studying for your exam. This way you can take care of any gaps in your experience before you need to file your LEED application.

The LEED accreditation is awarded in two parts. The first part is the Green Associate, or tier one, designation. This level covers the basics of green construction and sustainability. All LEED accreditation requires the Green Associate designation as a foundation.

The next level of accreditation is the LEED AP+ level of accreditation, and this level branches into one of five areas of specialty, which are as follows:

· ID+C - Interior Design and Construction (previously Commercial Interiors - CI)

· Homes – Homes

· O+M - Operations and Maintenance (previously Existing Buildings - EB)

· ND – Neighborhood Development

· BD+C – Building Design and Construction (previously New Construction - NC)

There are three ways that you can garner the experience that you need to get permission to test for the first exam. All three methods require documentation to rove the experience either from a supervisor or a teacher.

LEED Training and Prerequisites

First of all you should have experience working on a LEED project. You must have some recent involvement in the project, but it does not matter in what capacity that you were working, but you do have to be involved in some way with the project.

Second of all, the board looks for experience working in a sustainable or green field. For example, if your current job has anything to do with sustainability or embraces green technology, then this would meet the prerequisite to take the Green Associate exam. If you work for a company and they have no projects that are sustainable, and you have never worked on a green project, then you have one final option to meet your prerequisites for the LEED Green Associate.

That option is education. For this option you must have taken or be enrolled in a class that addresses green construction. Be aware though, that GBCI is still working on clarification for the education criteria. So if you are enrolling in a class as a prerequisite for taking an exam, try to find a class at a local college of at least a state college.

Once you have decided which criteria that you meet, then you need to get a letter from your boss or teacher verifying your work or educational ability. For the education verification you can also use an official transcript. Once you have your documentation together submit it along with the application and your fees to schedule your exam.

Now that you have passed the test for Green Associate, it is time to choose a specialty and begin studying for your LEED AP+ exam. Your LEED training will focus on this specialty, and you will ultimately be tested and earn your accreditation in this specialty.