FAQs For Aspiring LEED Credential Holders Updated, September 27th 2010

LEED Professional Credential Overview How have the LEED Professional Credentials changed? Who is responsible for the LEED Professional Credentials in Canada? Who is GBCI and what is their role developing and delivering LEED Professional Exams? What is the CaGBCs role in the LEED Professional Credentials?

LEED Professional Exams What are the LEED Professional Credential tiers? Which exam should I write? Do I have to write the LEED Green Associate exam first? Can I write both exams at once? What are the eligibility requirements for the LEED Professional Credentials? When will the exams be available in Canada Will I be able to write my exam in French? Will I get a CaGBC member discount on any of the exams? I purchased the CaGBCs National Benefits Package. Will I get the member rate on the exam?
What should I study to prepare for an exam?

Is there a study course that I can take to help me prepare for a LEED exam? What is the process to write an exam? Where do I write the exams? How do I maintain my credential?

LEED Professional Credential Overview Q: How have the LEED Professional Credentials changed? A: Since 2001, more than 100,000 building professionals have earned the LEED AP without specialty credential through GBCI by demonstrating their understanding of environmentally sustainable building design, construction and operations. The changes to the exam system reflect the rapid advances in green building technology and practice in the marketplace. The three-tiered credentials will ensure that LEED professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices AND that their proficiency is recognized. In 2008, GBCI surveyed LEED APs to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the LEED AP program. Through this research, GBCI identified that LEED APs wanted a credential that stayed current, differentiated expertise among green building practitioners, and provided specialization within different sectors of the industry. Changes to the LEED Professional Credentials include: 3 levels of excellence for a building professional to pursue. These tiers provide a means for recognizing knowledge and expertise beyond a basic understanding of green building practices. These tiered credentials will allow employers, builders and other industry stakeholders to distinguish between green building professionals with basic, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge. Eligibility requirements for all tiers. Credential maintenance requirements for all exam based tiers. As sustainable technologies advance and the LEED Rating Systems evolve, the LEED Professional Credentials need mechanism to ensure that LEED Professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices.

Q: Who is responsible for the LEED Professional Credentials in Canada? A: The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is now responsible for administering the LEED Professional
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FAQs For Aspiring LEED Credential Holders Updated, September 27th 2010
Credentials globally. Q: Who is the GBCI and what is their role developing and delivering LEED Professional Exams? A: The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) was established in 2008 to administer credentialing and certification programs related to green building practice. GBCIs third-party administration and development provides balanced and objective management of the LEED Professional Credentials. Q: What is the CaGBCs role in the LEED Professional Credentials? A: CaGBC will provide support to aspiring and current LEED Green Associates and LEED APs through education and exam preparation. We are focusing our resources on helping candidates gain the understanding of LEED they will need to pass the exams and support LEED Professionals by providing education to maintain their credentials. We now offer the LEED Green Associate study course for candidates planning to write their Green Associate exam. As
a result of this workshop you will be able to:

Identify general concepts, technologies and strategies associated with each credit category Describe the purpose of the LEED rating system Identify LEED credit categories Effectively study to register and take the LEED Green Associate Exam

To further reduce exam anxiety, you will leave the course with the following tools: Green Associate Study Guide and Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide (a value of $125.00) CaGBC USB key with all reference documents required to study for the LEED Green Associate exam GBCI LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook Large sample of exam questions and Flash Cards to aid your study efforts A certificate of completion

Further information on how this course will benefit you, whats included and how to register, please go to ://www.cagbc.org/education/course_catalogue/articles1506.php. Registration is open for dates as early as October in some cities. Since GBCI develops and delivers the LEED Professional Credentials, it does not offer or endorse any supporting education programs or exam preparation resources. Passing the LEED Professional Exams demonstrates a strong depth of knowledge in and practical understanding of the LEED Rating Systems. In Canada, CaGBC will become your source for education, study guides, reference guides, chapter study sessions, and other support to help you meet the challenge.

LEED Professional Exams Q: What are the LEED Professional Credential tiers? A: Tier I: LEED Green Associate For professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice, GBCI has created the LEED Green Associate credential, which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations.

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FAQs For Aspiring LEED Credential Holders Updated, September 27th 2010
Tier II: LEED AP with specialty The LEED AP with specialty credential signifies an advanced depth of knowledge in green building practices and specialization in a particular LEED Rating System. Specialties: LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (O+M) LEED AP Homes LEED AP Building Design + Construction (BD + C) LEED AP Interior Design +Construction (ID + C) LEED AP Neighborhood Development (ND) Tier III: LEED AP Fellow The LEED Fellow credential distinguishes an extraordinary class of leading professionals. Fellows contribute to the standards of practice and body of knowledge for achieving continuous improvement in the green building field. Q. Which exam should I write? The answer to this question depends on the individual and their LEED project experience. The LEED Green Associate exam/credential is ideal for individuals without technical experience and who wont be working directly on LEED projects. It is a standalone credential meaning individuals in non-technical roles in the building industry will remain as LEED Green Associates throughout their careers. The Green Associate is also a starting point or entry level credential for young professionals and others without direct project involvement. These individuals may upgrade to the LEED AP with specialty credential at some point in their careers, once they gain the necessary project involvement. For example, contractors, product manufacturers, higher education instructors, etc are ideally suited to this credential. The LEED AP with specialty is aimed at individuals with direct experience or documented involvement on a LEED registered and/or certified project. This credential is best for people who are architects, engineers, and designers etc who will be part of the LEED project team. If you are not an existing LEED AP from the previous exam system, you will write the Green Associate exam as part of your specialty but when you pass; your credential will reflect your specialty credential (BD+C, O+M, Homes etc).

Q: Do I have to write the LEED Green Associate exam first? If you are not an existing LEED AP, and do not have LEED project experience, then yes, you must write the LEED GA exam prior to writing a LEED AP with Specialty exam. However, if you can demonstrate project experience, you can write both the Green Associate and the LEED AP with specialty in the combined version of the exam. Q: Can I write both exams at once? Yes see answer above. Q: What are the eligibility requirements for the LEED Professional Credentials? A: All candidates are also required to agree to the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy and Credential Maintenance Program and submit to an application audit. Candidates for the LEED Green Associate must have experience in one (1) of the following three (3) areas: f EITHER documented involvement on a LEED-registered project OR employment (or previous employment) in a sustainable field of work OR engagement in (or completion of) an education program that addresses green building principles.

Candidates for the LEED AP with specialty must have experience in the form of documented professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation.
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FAQs For Aspiring LEED Credential Holders Updated, September 27th 2010
Q: When will the exams be available in Canada? A: All LEED Professional exams are now available at Prometric test centers across Canada (in English only). Q: Will I be able to write my exam(s) in French? A: The (GBCI) has confirmed that the LEED Green Associate and Building Design and Construction exams (the new NC exam) will be available in French in early 2011. To prepare the exams for French speaking professionals, the GBCI needs your help. GBCI is recruiting French speaking subject matter experts to help them translate these exams. They are looking for volunteers fluent in both English and French, and with exposure to the French in Europe and or Canada. During the week of October 25th, the GBCI will conduct a translation verification session for the LEED Green Associate and LEED AP BD+C exams in Montreal, Quebec. Accommodations will be provided and travel expenses will be reimbursed. To be eligible, participants must be LEED APs enrolled in the new Credentialing Maintenance Program or LEED Green Associates. To learn more and complete the quick, one-page survey to volunteer, please visit .gbci.org/volunteer Q: Will I get a CaGBC member discount on any of the new exams? A: Yes, CaGBC Corporate members will be eligible for member pricing on LEED Professional Exams. However, your CaGBC membership must be linked to your Credentials account on the GBCI website prior to registering for an exam; member pricing is not automatically retroactively applied after registration. Q: I have purchased the CaGBCs National Benefits Package (NBP), will I get the member rate on the exam? th A: The GBCI will only offer discounts to individuals that purchased the NBP on or before the 26 of March 2010. These individuals must meet the following conditions: - Their NBP must be active and not expired; - They must register to write their exam within 12 months of the date they purchased their NBP and no th later than 25 of March 2010. st - Example: If you purchased your NBP on November 1 , 2009, you must register for your exam by st th October 31 , 2010. If you renew your NBP and register for your exam on November 5 you will not be entitled to the discount. For administrative purposes the GBCI will be applying the discount to the registration fee, rather than to the exam itself; this amounts to similar savings.

Q: What should I study to prepare for an exam? We advise all exam candidates to review the relevant GBCI Candidate Handbook to ensure they understand what references have been used to develop the new GBCI exams. The GBCI exams are based on US LEED rating systems rather than Canadian versions, which means there will not be a LEED exam based on the LEED Canada for New Construction 1.0 or the newly released, NC 2009 rating system. For instance, the LEED Green Associate exam is based largely based on the LEED Core Concepts book developed by the USGBC. LEED Canada rating systems were not used in the development of any of the new exams. A: The LEED Green Associate exam is a universal exam based on the references outlined in the LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook. The following resources have been designed by the USGBC which you might find useful in preparation for the LEED GA exam: The Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide and the LEED Green Associate Study Guide. Both of these resources are now available for purchase from the CaGBC. . These guides can be purchased for $100 for CaGBC corporate and National Benefits Package (NBP) members; $120 for nonmembers. Individuals who register for the CaGBCs LEED Green Associate study course will receive these documents at no extra charge, along with a variety of useful and pertinent study tools.
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FAQs For Aspiring LEED Credential Holders Updated, September 27th 2010
The LEED AP exams are also universal; however like the initial LEED exam delivered in Canada, the primary references used to create the current LEED AP exams are the USGBC Reference Guides. Future exam development / adjustments will reflect the global application of LEED and therefore be more applicable to the Canadian context, however in the meantime we advise Canadians interested in writing these exams to be prepared for questions based on the USGBC rating systems. Q. Is there a study course that I can take to help me prepare for a LEED exam? A. Registration is now open for the CaGBCs LEED Green Associate exam study course. This is a course that will help Canadians write an exam that was developed using US based content. This course will certainly help to prepare for the exam but it is not a one-size fits all approach.. We are considering the development of a study course for the LEED AP BD+C exam in the future. To register for a course in your area click here http://www.cagbc.org/education/course_catalogue/articles1506.php Q: What is the process to write an exam? A: To write the exam, you first apply for the exam by logging on to Credentials through GBCIs website. Once your application has been approved, you then register for an exam appointment and receive an eligibility ID, which you use to schedule the exam with Prometric. Q: Where do I write the exams? A: You write the exam at Prometric test centres throughout Canada. To find a test centre near you, visit Prometrics website at .prometric.com/gbci. Exams can be scheduled year round based on availability of seating at the Prometric test centres. Q: How do I maintain my credential? LEED Green Associates must complete 15 hours of credential maintenance every 2 year cycle, while LEED APs must complete 30 hours. The following FAQs have been created for LEED APs who require credential maintenance. LEED APs that wrote a LEED exam in Canada prior to the 16 of January 2010 should read FAQs for LEED APs th who passed a LEED exam prior to 16 January 2010. LEED APs with specialty who wrote a GBCI credential should read Maintaining my LEED credential with the CaGBC.
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