Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes the best in class building practices and strategies. It stands out as the gold standard in green construction certifications. LEED professional qualifications will take your career to the next level.
LEED certificates are administered by the USGBC. A LEED certification demonstrates expertise in today’s sustainable design, building, and operation standards. Over 203,000 professionals have obtained a LEED certification to help enhance their professions to demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and credibility in the green building sector.
If you are thinking about obtaining the LEED GA or AP credential, we encourage you to read on and learn more about the various benefits this credential has to offer.
LEED Credentials:
Buildings are LEED-certified, whereas people are LEED accredited.
Professionals can distinguish themselves in the building sector with LEED® credentials. Three levels of LEED professional certificates exist at the moment:
LEED Green Associate:
LEED GA exam is open to everyone and does not require previous or ongoing LEED project expertise. It is a foundational professional certificate that demonstrates fundamental knowledge of green building principles. The exam, which is suited for people new to green building, assesses a broad understanding of green building practices as well as how to support others working on LEED projects.
Reasons to Become a LEED GA:
- LEED GA enhances your employment chances because it is recognized in the green construction industry as a badge of excellence.
- LEED GA will increase your knowledge and skills.
- As a LEED GA, you will contribute to sustainability
- As a LEED GA, you stay up-to-date which enhances your credibility.
- Increase your networking with LEED professionals.
- Stand out, as it’s an excellent way to make a difference and contribute to the sustainability of buildings and the environment.
For those just getting started, the LEED Green Associate credential represents your basic proficiency in green building concepts and adds value to any green construction project. Quadra Plus provides comprehensive courses to help you prepare for the LEED GA exam and achieve your credential. Click here to learn more about our LEED GA certification courses in Dubai.
LEED AP with a Specialty:
LEED AP is an advanced professional credential that demonstrates knowledge of green building and the LEED grading system. Candidates must first pass the LEED Green Associate exam to become a LEED AP with a specialty. LEED AP exam is based on a specific LEED rating system and the certification process is excellent for people who are actively involved in green building and LEED projects.
Green building experts that are actively working on projects should look for LEED AP with a specialty, an advanced professional certificate indicating green building knowledge, and a LEED rating system.
Who Benefits from Becoming LEED AP?
LEED AP certificates are particularly beneficial to people that work directly with the design, construction, or operation of buildings on a daily basis. Although not limited to, there are people in the following positions:
- Architects & Engineers (MEP, Civil, Electrical, Building, HVAC)
- Contractors, Interior Designers
- Project, Property & Construction Managers
- Commissioning Agents
- LEED & Sustainability Consultants, Environmental Advisers
- Building Operators
- Working professionals in Commercial Real Estate
Different Specialty Credentials:
Accredited Professionals have identified specialties since LEED 2009 (LEED v3). Many architects and engineers will obtain one or two specialty credentials relevant to their core work function, whereas LEED consultants will obtain a diverse set of credentials due to the breadth of their roles. There is no limit to the number of credentials that a single person can hold.
The LEED Green Associate credential is required to become a LEED AP with specialty. Both tests can be taken on the same day. However, because the knowledge base for a LEED AP is extensive, most people will study one at a time.
More about each specialty credential in detail:
- LEED AP BD+C: Stands for Building Design and Construction (new construction and major renovation)
- LEED AP ID+C: Stands for Interior Design and Construction (commercial interiors)
- LEED AP O+M: Stands for Operations and Maintenance (existing buildings)
- LEED AP ND: Stands for Neighbourhood Development
- LEED AP Homes: Stands for Residential
Because there are several AP credentials, the exams are designed to focus on the specialist rating system of your choice. LEED AP examinations are far more technical in nature and thus more demanding than the Green Associate exam. To help you succeed on the exam, Quadra Plus provides interactive courses, practice exams, and other study materials. Enroll today to get started on your path to becoming a LEED Professional.
LEED Fellow:
LEED Fellows are a highly successful group of individuals who have been nominated by their peers and have a minimum of 10 years of professional green-building expertise. LEED Fellows must also be LEED APs with specialty credentials.
Maintaining your certification
All LEED professionals must obtain and report continuing education (CE) hours within a 2-year cycle or reporting period to maintain and renew the certificate. LEED professionals spend continuing education, or “CE,” hours on credential maintenance activities. Depending on the activity, CE hours are computed differently.
This cycle starts on the day the certification is earned (depending on the exam date) and lasts 2 years minus one day. During this time, the credential holder is responsible for earning, reporting, and renewing their certificate through their credentials account.
- A LEED Green Associate must obtain and report 15 CE hours, three of which must be LEED-specific.
- LEED APs with a specialty must complete and report 30 CE hours (6 of which must be LEED-specific).
Earn continuing education (CE) hours by designing and/or completing educational courses, earning experience in LEED projects, and contributing as an author or volunteer in the disciplines of green building, health, wellness, resiliency, and circular economy.
