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Keenya asks: I'm studying to become a certified Sustainability Consultant. I want to eventually become certified in LEED GA and LEED ND. Will becoming a sustainability consultant aid in the eligibility process of certification for both tiers?

Answer: Hi Keenya, thank you for your question.

Being a sustainability consultant could fulfill your eligibility for the LEED GA exam. Also, if you are currently involved in an educational program to become a sustainability consultant, you could probably use that education program as one (of three) options to fulfill your eligibility to take the LEED Green Associate exam and become a LEED GA. (However, being a sustainability consultant won't help you with your eligibility to become a LEED AP for Neighborhood Development).

If I were just starting out planning my career in sustainability consulting, I would seriously consider the LEED Green Associate credential as a good option for the foundation of my future work. I'm sort of going out on a limb here, as I am not sure which program you are involved in, but here are some reasons why LEED Green Associate is a great place to start:

1) LEED Green Associate is the first step towards earning your LEED Accredited Professional credential With the recent changes in the LEED system, LEED GA is designed for non-technical professionals to get their feet wet in sustainability. This is sheer genius by the GBCI. It educates a different type of person (i.e. one who is just starting out) as opposed to someone who already has gone "all in" with respect to sustainability. Once you've passed the Tier I exam (Exam 1) for LEED GA, you can sit for the specialty portion, pass and become a LEED AP.

2) LEED is almost synonymous with sustainability The LEED brand is highly recognized and recognizable. The logos and brand marks are very clean, well-designed and presented. This is very important to a business person (such as a sustainability consultant). By earning a LEED credential, such as LEED GA, you are able to use LEED Green Associate logos (as long as you comply with the GBCI logo guidelines) on your business cards and other materials. This is extremely helpful from a brand recognition standpoint and could help your business.

3) LEED is supported by thousands of groups, businesses and professionals nationwide who are invested in its success LEED is going to continue to improve over the long-term. Part of maintaining the success of LEED is keeping up its quality. IMHO, it will become harder and harder to earn your professional credential with the GBCI, similar to how it becomes harder over time to pass the bar exam and become an attorney. There is a tendency to keep things difficult by placing hurdles in front of those who do not really want to do the work necessary, but just want the credential. It's sort of like organic chemistry for those who want to go to medical school. If you fail organic chemistry, you're most likely not going to be a doctor. So there may be no better time than now to pursue your LEED GA credential.

Good luck!
Green-Buildings.com

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