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LEED AP vs. LEED GA: What is the Best Way to Start?

 

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Question:

Jim asks: Hello, I currently work in sales for a solar company with some hands on commerical installations. I am also RESNET and BPI accredited. With most of our commercial projects being LEED where do I need to start? LEED AP? GA? Do I need 1 before the other? Thanks!

Answer:
Advice provided by: Rob Freeman Jr, LEED AP, Green-Buildings.com
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Hi Jim, thank you for your question. Since you already have your BPI and RESNET accreditations, you are already qualified to take the LEED Green Associate exam (i.e. there is no additional eligibility requirement that you have to fulfill in order to comply with GBCI prerequisites for the exam.) As you have worked on LEED projects, you also are qualified to take your LEED AP exam.

To answer your questions, if you are interested in the LEED AP credential, then go for that, but I would recommend passing your LEED Green Associate exam first and then moving on to take the LEED AP exam on a separate date.

Two Parts of the LEED AP Exam

The LEED AP exam is actually two exams, the first part is (for all intents and purposes) the LEED Green Associate exam. LEED AP candidates are required to take this exam as well as the second part which is the LEED AP "Specialty" portion of the exam, however, you can avoid taking both exams on the same date if you wish, by becoming a LEED Green Associate first, then registering for the LEED AP exam separately as a LEED Green Associate.

As a LEED Green Associate who has worked on a LEED registered project, you can skip the "first part" and move right to the LEED AP "Specialty" portion which tests your knowledge of the LEED rating system you are interested in (for you it might be LEED for Homes or LEED Building Design + Construction, etc.)

Before the move to this new "two test" system, many people who were studying for the LEED AP exam spent many weeks or months preparing for just the "Specialty" portion, because it is considered a difficult exam, and it is no different today. So why complicate your life by adding ANOTHER exam to the mix on the same day that you have to take an already difficult exam.

Also, if you take both on the same day and for some reason you fail one of the exams, you will not earn any credential and you will have to retake the exam that you failed again.

So, if you go for the LEED AP credential, it may be best to proceed with LEED Green Associate first then move on to the LEED AP credential.

Thanks again,

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Expert Advice and Comments

Advancing from LEED AP certification

Fri, 05/06/2011 - 15:40 — Lynn B. (not verified)

I'm looking to advance my current certification from LEED AP (earned back in 2008). I have 4 years of experience in designing LEED certifiable buildings as an interior designer / architecture. Which credential would best suit me? Is becoming a LEED AP BD + C be logical sequence for advancing my LEED AP credentials or some other specialty?

I don't really know

Mon, 05/23/2011 - 17:12 — Mr. Omazi (not verified)

I don't really know

rpfjr's picture

LEED ID+C exam

Wed, 07/13/2011 - 15:30 — rpfjr

Hi Lynn,

The best credential for interior designers would be LEED AP ID+C (Interior Design + Construction).

I took this exam and have some (hopefully) helpful tips on preparing for the ID+C in this post on passing the LEED exam.

Of course, you should follow the path that makes the most sense to you personally. If you are interested in new construction, then BD+C would be appropriate. Here is a basic article on what LEED stands for and the various rating systems available.

Rob is the founder of Green-Buildings.com.

Am I qualified to sit for LEED AP

Sun, 10/30/2011 - 16:12 — cp (not verified)

I sell homes for a large national builder. I would like to increase my knowledge base and earn a LEED Green Associate certification. Energy efficiency is a large part of my sales process and our company is a market leader in green building. I certainly feel as though I am a vital part of enabling green construction practices to occur, but do I have the "professional experience" required to sit for the exam after personal study?

clairemolo's picture

Re: Am I Qualified to Sit for the LEED AP

Fri, 11/04/2011 - 09:54 — clairemolo

Hi cp,

Your work selling homes could potentially meet GBCI's first option for LEED Green Associate eligibility ("Option 1: You must be (or have previously been) employed in a sustainable field of work"). However, "sustainable field of work" is not well defined. GBCI ultimately decides whether or not you are qualified -- so your best bet is to contact the GBCI at gbci.org or by calling 1-800-795-1746.

For more information about this and other eligibility options, check our FAQ page.

Hope this helps!
Claire

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I studied Environmental Science and concentrated in Sustainable Development. My interest in green building and LEED stems from my project-based coursework at Cornell, where I proposed design strategies

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