Pat asks: I understand that part of LEED 2009 is the introduction of a "LEED Pilot Credit Library" program to introduce new prerequisites and credits.

If this is the case how should one "stay on top" of developments as you prepare for taking the LEED GA exam. I am working with a group of colleagues here at our office and we have purchased study guides and materials based on the recently released LEED 3.0.

If USGBC is piloting new credits on a continuing basis - study guides could become dated very quickly. Any suggestions as to how we should proceed?

Answer: Pat, as you know, USGBC launched LEED v3 (aka LEED 2009) on April 27, 2009. Planning steps are currently underway to create a process that yields a predictable development cycle for LEED.

According to the USGBC, while they have no intention of treating LEED as a building code, in the past, market feedback argues that the LEED rating system should move into a development cycle that more closely mirrors that of the traditional building code’s continuous improvement cycle.

While I’m not aware of a specifically quoted development cycle as of now, I would assume something on the order of 3 years between changes. That being said, I don’t think your group of colleagues should be concerned with your study guides and materials becoming outdated anytime soon. The last roll-out of the LEED rating system for New Construction (v2.2), which was the most current LEED-NC rating system prior to the release of LEEDv3 was released in October of 2005, for example.

So even though the LEED Pilot Credit Library is constantly in the process of developing and refining credits for the next release of LEED, I don’t think that release will come until 2012 at the soonest. And even when that does happen, the changes shouldn’t be drastic (See this post for more information: http://www.green-buildings.com/content/78890-leed-nc-22-vs-leed-bdc-refe...).

Finally, the LEED-AP and Green Associate exams are typically updated on a cycle consistent with the rating system upgrades, so even as Pilot credits are being developed, those credits won’t appear on the exam. Still, if anyone in your group is participating in a LEED 2009 project, I would encourage you to attempt one of the Pilot credits as an Innovation in Design credit. (All LEED 2009 projects that participate in the piloting of a credit or prerequisite will be awarded 1 point under Innovation & Design Credit 1 or Innovation in Operations Credit 1 after completing the required documentation and uploading it through the IDc1/IOc1 form in LEED Online for verification.) View the Pilot Credit Library here: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2104

To keep yourself updated, you could join the mailing lists for one of several LEED Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs). LEED committees rely on Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) to provide a consistent source of sound technical advice with respect to LEED. The TAGs are committees of the LEED Steering Committee (LSC) and under direct management by the Technical Committee, charged with assessing and recommending technical solutions to the LSC for review and approval.

More information on TAGs can be found at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1795. You can adjust your mailing list preferences under your account settings at www.usgbc.org.

Thanks!
Sarah Gudeman, LEED AP

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