Answer:

Thank you for your question.

To become a LEED Green Associate, you must pass the LEED GA exam. The LEED GA exam is a two (2) hour multiple choice test that covers the fundamentals of green building and LEED. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

LEED exams are administered through a company called Prometric, which operates computerized testing centers throughout the U.S and abroad.

How is it different than the LEED AP exam?

The LEED GA exam covers the foundations of LEED and green building and it's required that you pass the LEED GA exam before becoming a LEED AP. People who have fulfilled the LEED experience requirement are qualified to take the LEED AP exam. You can choose to take the LEED AP exam and the LEED Green Associate exam in the same exam session or take the exams separately. We usually recommend that people take the exams on separate dates for preparation purposes. The LEED AP exam tests the specifics and details of a particular LEED specialty (i.e. new construction, interiors, homes, existing buildings, etc.) as there are LEED rating systems for each specialty area. You choose which specialty area you are interested in and that's what you'll be tested on. The LEED AP exam requires a lot of memorization. You'll need to know all the credits and prerequisites, backwards and forwards, as well as a lot of other details. In this post we covered some tips and tricks for passing the LEED exam.

What is the Passing Score?

Passing score is 170 out of 200 (or 85%) on the exam. The exam is computer-based. To prepare for the exam, it is strongly recommended that you use practice tests to become comfortable with the material and types of questions that you may see. An excellent FREE LEED GA exam is available here.

How do I apply:

Simply register with GBCI (GBCI) to apply for your exam.

LEED GA Exam Cost: GBCI charges a $50.00 application fee. There is also an exam fee of $150 for USGBC members and full-time students and $200 for all others. There is a LEED Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) renewal fee: $50 every two years.

Eligibility prerequisites: To sit for the LEED GA exam, you must fulfill one of the following prerequisites:

- Experience in the form of involvement on a LEED registered project. You may earn this experience online by participating in the LEED Professional Project Experience Program

OR

- Employment (including previous employment) in a sustainable field of work

OR

- Participating in an education program in green building. Here are some examples of LEED education programs that address green building principles.

Documenting your eligibility for GBCI:

Provide a letter of attestation from a supervisor, client, project manager, or teacher and describe your involvement on the LEED Registered Project, on the job or in the classroom.

Letters should be dated, provided on official letterhead, written in 750 words or less and signed by a qualified individual (such as a supervisor, project manager, teacher or other qualified party. For LEED Registered Projects, the name of the LEED project must be included along with the dates of the applicant's involvement with the project.

Related Advice:

• FREE LEED Green Associate Study Guide: 5 Tips for Successful Preparation



• Accredited Professional: Which LEED Credential is Right for Me?



• Free LEED AP Study Guide: Four Tips and Tricks for Passing the LEED AP Exam