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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Laura asks: Do you have to become a LEED Green Associate before trying to get the LEED AP certificate?

Answer: Hi Laura, thank you for your question.

BTW, you are not alone in your confusion over this. The short answer to your question is no, you do not have to become a LEED Green Associate before becoming a LEED AP. However, you DO have to take the LEED Green Associate exam before becoming a LEED AP.

After June 30th, any LEED AP candidate, who has fulfilled the LEED AP prerequisites AND is qualified to sit for the LEED AP exam AND who is not already a LEED Green Associate is required to take a four hour exam to earn the LEED AP credential.

The LEED AP exam is comprised of two parts:

Tier I Exam: LEED Green Associate Exam 2 hours
Tier II Exam: LEED AP Specialty Exam 2 hours

There are only two situations that we're aware of when a LEED AP candidate can skip the LEED Green Associate portion of the exam during an exam session for the LEED AP credential:

1. When retaking the LEED AP exam because the test taker previously failed the Tier II portion, but passed the Tier I portion. (Candidates are allowed to retake the exam, but only have to retake the portion that they failed.)

2. When a qualified LEED Green Associate takes the LEED AP exam. The GBCI does not require LEED Green Associates to take the LEED Green Associate exam again.

So, if you are qualified to take the LEED AP exam, you don't have to become a LEED Green Associate first, but you won't be able to avoid the exam.

Good luck!