Expanding Your Business: Why Housing Professionals Should Be LEED Accredited Jason La Fleur, LEED AP Director of Education, Eco Achievers Project Manager, LEED for Homes Illinois Member, Education Committee and Residential Green Building Committee www.usgbc chicago.org
Objectives: Credentialing & Maintenance 1.USGBC vs. GBCI 2.Why is LEED important in affordable housing? 3.What credentials are available? 4.What has changed for current LEED APs 5.Continuing Education 6.Resources
Market Implications of Green Building Green building = doing things differently Qualitative information due to lack of sales data Cost of NOT green = Risk! Obsolescence Depreciation = Net Income Future marketability? Longer absorption rates Higher rollover rates Less durable (higher insurance premiums)
SO, Why get a LEED credential? Attract new clients Increase your scope of work and services Prepare for leadership in a green economy Get educated to speak the language of green building
WHAT ARE PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS? A LEED credential provides employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with assurances of an individual s current level of competence and is the mark of the most qualified, educated, and influential green building professionals in the marketplace. These goals had to be balanced with three market challenges: 1. Staying current: Technology, best practices, and the LEED rating systems evolve rapidly. 2. Differentiation: A credentialing system that provides for multiple levels of accomplishment and expertise is needed to distinguish among green building professionals with basic, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge. 3. Specialization: Many green building professionals develop expertise in specific sub sectors of the industry.
Why is the professional credentialing program changing? Since 2001, more than 130,000 building professional have earned the LEED AP without specialty credential by demonstrating their understanding of environmentally sustainable building design, construction and operation. The changes to the exam system reflect the rapid advances in green building technology and practice in the marketplace. The three tiered credentials will ensure that LEED professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices AND that their proficiency is recognized.
What is the new structure?
What are the requirements to take a LEED Green Associate exam? Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) Have experience in the form of documented involvement on a LEEDregistered project OR employment (or previous employment) in a sustainable field of work OR engagement in (or completion of) an education program that addresses green building principles
What are the costs involved with the LEED Green Associate credential? Application fee: $50 Exam fee (per exam appointment): $150 for USGBC National Members and full time students $200 for all others Credentialing Maintenance renewal fee: $50 every 2 years
What are the study resources available from GBCI and USGBC for the LEED Green Associate exam? GBCI s: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook (free) includes: application information eligibility requirements testing specifics study outline links to study documents USGBC s: Green Building Core Concepts and Strategies E book ($35) USGBC s: LEED Green Associate Study Guide ($70/$85) includes: individual and group learning activities review and practice questions
What are the requirements to take a LEED AP exam? Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) Document professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation.
What are the costs involved with the LEED AP credential? Application fee: $100 Exam fee (per exam appointment): $300 for USGBC National Members $450 for non members Credentialing Maintenance renewal fee: $50 every 2 years Any additional specialty exam is $150 for USGBC National Members per exam appointment and $250 for nonmembers per exam appointment, plus the application fee.
What are the study resources available from GBCI and USGBC for the LEED AP w/ Specialty exams? GBCI s: LEED AP w/ Specialty (specific) Candidate Handbooks (free) includes: application information eligibility requirements testing specifics study outline links to study documents USGBC s: LEED Reference Guides (specific for each rating system) USGBC s: LEED AP w/ Specialty (specific) Study Guides ($70/$85) includes: individual and group learning activities review and practice questions
Credentialing Maintenance
Credentialing Maintenance for LEED Green Associate LEED Green Associates are required to complete and report 15 CE hours each 2 year reporting period 3 of these hours must be LEED specific.
Credentialing Maintenance for LEED AP without specialty Option 1: Testing After passing the applicable exam, LEED APs must complete 30 CE hours of CMP for their specialty as outlined in the CMP Guide Option 2: Prescriptive Credential Maintenance LEED APs without specialty must complete 30 CE hours which meet the minimums for each domain listed under their specialty on pages 7 9 (during the initial reporting period only). After the initial reporting period, they must complete credentialing maintenance as outlined in the CMP Guide
Credentialing Maintenance for LEED AP w/ specialty LEED APs with specialty are required to complete 30 CE hours each reporting period; 6 of these hours must be LEED specific Multiple Specialties: LEED APs must also complete an additional 6 LEEDspecific hours for each secondary specialty
How do I earn these CE hours? CE activity hours refer to the actual time LEED Professionals are engaged in a credentialing maintenance activity. There are eight delivery methods: 1. professional development courses; 2. live presentations; 3. self study programs (including reading); 4. college and university courses; 5. certificates, professional licenses, and credentials; 6. committee and volunteer work; 7. authorship; 8. and LEED project participation.
Maintenance through re testing Instead of completing CE hours, LEED Professionals can opt to maintain their credential through retesting. Must take the required exam between 3 and 12 months from the end of their reporting period. Must apply (including meeting eligibility requirements) and register for the exam at gbci.org and pay applicable fees. LEED Green Associates are required to take the LEED Green Associate exam; LEED APs are required to take only the LEED specialty exam.
Online Resources LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook Green Building: LEED Core Concepts and Strategies (e book) USGBC Exam Study Picture Guides here (available for pre order beginning 11/1/09) Jason La Fleur jason@ecoachievers.com www.ecoachievers.com www.leedforhomesillinois.org All available at USGBC www.usgbc.org Chicago Chapter: www.usgbc chicago.org LEED Accreditations: www.gbci.org