The LEED AP exam pass rate is estimated to be in a range of 30%-34%.

To determine this number, Green-Buildings.com has gathered reports from various established providers of LEED preparation products and courses.

The GBCI and/or the USGBC do not provide guidance on, nor do they make public, details of the various LEED accreditation exam statistics.

After March 31st, 2009, candidates for the LEED AP credentials must fulfill eligibility requirements.

Along with the change over to LEED Version 3, the USGBC has introduced some fairly strict requirements in order to be eligible to take the LEED AP exam. We hope to be able to clear up some of the confusion surrounding these requirements so you can determine your eligibility, and if ineligible, show you the programs we offer in order to make you eligible for the test.

Certificates of Completion from eight hour online, eight hour virtual and one and two day offline LEED Green Associate prep courses sold on Green-Buildings.com have been accepted by the GBCI as a valid education requirement.

However, Green-Buildings.com is not affiliated with the GBCI and does not guarantee that the GBCI or any specific entity will recognize courses offered through Green-Buildings.com.

Candidates should refer to the LEED candidate handbooks and LEED reference guides for the fundamental information needed to pass the LEED AP exams.

Handbooks and reference guides provide an overview of the Green Building Certification Institute's ("GBCI") and Prometric's policies and procedures throughout the credentialing process as well as detailed information on the LEED rating system in the candidate's area of focus.

It is not a requirement to enroll in a prep course before taking the exam, however, it is recommended.

Many students who have passed the LEED AP or LEED Green Associate exams report that prep courses helped them better understand the LEED certification process, the relevant material on green building and the science of sustainability.

Candidates who fail the LEED exam may retake the exams as many times as they like, however they are limited to a maximum of three times per year.

If a LEED AP candidate fails the Tier II, the LEED AP exam, but passes the Tier I, LEED Green Associate exam, they do not have to retake the LEED Green Associate exam again, they only have to retake the Tier II specialty exam for LEED AP that they failed.

LEED professional exams are computer-based, multiple-choice examinations. In both the Tier I (LEED Green Associate) and Tier II (LEED AP+) exams, candidates are given two (2) hours to take and complete the exam.

Individuals may choose to take both the Tier I and Tier II exams in one sitting if they wish, in which case they will have 4 hours to complete both parts of the exam, or they may take them sequentially, or choose to take only the Tier I, LEED Green Associate exam.

LEED Green Associate (aka LEED GA) candidates are required by the GBCI to do the following:

1. Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) as outlined at www.gbci.org.

2. EITHER document involvement in support of a LEED certification project OR be employed in a sustainable field of work OR engaged in an education program in green building principles and LEED.

Individuals in becoming a LEED AP must go to the Green Building Certification Institute website at http://www.GBCI.org and follow the instructions for LEED Professional Credentials.