Hi Ty, thank you for your question.

This is a very common question and there is clearly a lot of confusion among LEED APs who earned their credential before June 30th, 2009. The confusion arises not only from the complexity of the new LEED professional credentialing system, but also from GBCI itself which promotes enrolling in the new CMP (Credential Maintenance Program) as being somewhat of a good thing.

Whether it is good is completely subjective.

Enrolling in CMP is not required for LEED APs without specialty.

In an earlier article on whether or not to enroll in the LEED credential maintenance program, I noted that:

"...some of the language GBCI uses in promoting CMP could be misleading. For instance, in one email GBCI states: "You have until 2011 to enroll, but if you wait until 2010, you will not be able to count the activities you’ve already worked hard to complete in 2009." However, this choice for LEED APs without specialty to enroll does not expire altogether in 2011. Another email states "Are you a LEED AP (without specialty)? Have you enrolled in a LEED AP with specialty credential yet?... Enrollment is a voluntary, one-time process through which LEED APs (without specialty) can complete credential maintenance or retest to earn one of the new LEED AP with specialty credentials. If you haven't enrolled yet, don't wait! While it clearly states that enrollment is voluntary, the use of the word "yet" in two separate places implies that enrolling is inevitable."

Advantages and Disadvantages

In terms of advantages of enrolling in CMP... Who knows? Does having access to a more distinctive logo to use on your business cards count? One potential benefit is that you will be almost certain to actively maintain your credential with appropriate education in green building and/or LEED. There are ways to premium LEED continuing education options and there are free LEED continuing education options. Either way, you'll be spending time learning about sustainability, which should help your career in our industry.

Regarding simply staying as you are as a LEED AP without specialty, you will not lose your credential if you do choose not to enroll in CMP. You may participate in the same functions, work the same jobs, etc. as you could if you were a LEED AP with specialty.

One clear benefit of enrolling TODAY if you plan to do so eventually is that, you may do so for free today through GBCI's website. The enrollment fee is waived for legacy LEED APs through summer 2011. Enrolling in CMP after that time will cause you to incur the $50.00 fee. Of course, if you wait until 2012 and you decide at that time that you want to enroll in CMP, you may do so by either paying the fee to enroll in CMP and agreeing on fulfilling the minimum CEU requirements, or by taking another specialty exam. However, that is an option that should always be available.

Related Advice:

• Earning Additional LEED AP Specialty Credentials: Is the LEED GA Exam Necessary?



• LEED CMP: Can My LEED Credential Expire?



• Losing My Legacy LEED AP: Is it Necessary to Enroll in Credential Maintenance (CMP)?



• New LEED CMP Requirements: What Courses Can I Take?