Prepare to Pass the LEED Green Associate Test!

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Advice provided by: Rob Freeman Jr, LEED AP, Green-Buildings.com

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Deborah asks: I am currently looking into getting my LEED Green Associate certification. I went to school at the SUNY-College of Environmental Science & Forestry, graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Policy and minor in Business Management. I believe this allows me to qualify to take the test. I just unclear on how to "prove" that I qualify - do I need a transcript or letter from a professor? And where would I submit this to? I am also living in a LEED certified apartment complex and wasn't sure if that would count as a qualification in any way. Thanks!

Answer: Hi Deborah, thank you for your question. Congratulations on deciding to take the LEED Green Associate exam. You are correct in that there is an education prerequisite that exists for the LEED Green Associate... However, this is not the only route that a candidate may choose to meet the prerequisites for taking the LEED Green Associte exam.

The experience requirement for the LEED Green Associate credential may be met in one of three ways:

1. A LEED Green Associate candidate may document his or her experience on a LEED Registered Project by documenting such involvement on the project through a letter from their employer, project leader or through LEED Online.

2. A candidate may demonstrate employment (or prior employment) in a sustainable field of work (for some opining on what defines a sustainable field of work see this previous post).

OR

3. A candidate may demonstrate his or her engagement in (or completion of) an education program that addresses green building principles. Since many green building principles are rooted in and/or congruent with accepted general environmental principles

Solely in my opinion (I do not represent the Green Building Certification Institute) I believe that the principles of environmentalism (i.e. protecting our natural resources and ecosystems by advocating sustainable practices, efficient use of those resources and encouraging responsible stewardship of our environment for future generations, etc.) are so congruent with general green building principles that your program should be applicable and, therefore, acceptable to the GBCI.

In terms of the form of "proof" of completion of an education program, the GBCI has accepted Certificates of Completion from education providers as well as transcripts and other forms of proof of completion. Documentation is provided to the GBCI when completing the application for the LEED Green Associate exam.

Finally, in terms of your current living arrangements, it may help you better understand the concepts of LEED and their importance in the real world (and it sounds cool), but it won't help you in terms of qualification to take the exam.

Good luck!
Rob