Advice provided by: Sarah Gudeman, LEED AP, EIT, Morrissey Engineering, Inc.
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Mohammed asks: Hi, I am a project Engineer and have worked continuously on a LEED project spanning for 6 months. I was working with an architect for this project and got some knowledge about LEED AP. I am willing to take LEED AP exam. It says that you must have professional experience on a LEED project within the three years of application as per information on the site. Can I still apply for LEED AP exam and count my 6 months LEED project experience though my project is over last month itself. Also, what kind of attestations or approvals I need from my employer or Architect ?

Answer: Mohammed, Candidates must have experience in the form of documented professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation.

Therefore, I think your project experience does quality you to take the exam as long as you can show how they have contributed to the registered project through active participation in it and have on-going responsibility through their participation.

When you’re filling out your exam application, you are required to provide the name of the LEED Project, the city, state (ZZ if outside the US and Canada), and country, the LEED Rating System under which the project was registered/certified, and the project’s start date. You are also required to upload one letter from a supervisor/client/project manager describing your activities or role on the LEED project.

If for some reason you are audited, GBCI auditors will review this letter of attestation based on these requirements:

- The letter must be on letterhead or provide other evidence of its authenticity

- The body of the attestation should be limited to 1,500 words or less.

- The letter must be dated.

- The letter must be authored and signed by a supervisor, client, project manager, or someone else qualified to evaluate the applicant’s performance.

- The author’s title and relationship to the applicant should be demonstrated, for example the author’s business card.

- The letter must summarize and confirm the applicant’s involvement with the LEED Project.

- The full name or Project ID for the LEED Project must be provided.

- The letter must provide the dates of the applicant’s relevant involvement.

- If the applicant is not currently involved with this LEED project, the end date of this involvement cannot be more than three (3) years ago.

Candidates must also agree to the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy and credentialing maintenance requirements and submit to an application audit.

Make sure to check the Building Design & Construction Reference Handbook for more information in regard to the exam. The handbook is revised each month and released by the Green Building Certification Institute on the first business day of the month: http://www.gbci.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3671.