Steps to get you the USGBC LEED Certificate: What is LEED and how you get to certification from LEED

What is LEED and how to get you LEED credentials 

http://www.usgbc.org/

So why is so important to Know LEED? 

When we are going through the job requirements from the various architecture firms, the "LEED" become one of the requirements for bigger architecture firms. So what is LEED and why it is so important? 

Few years back,  I was preparing  myself to get one of these credentials from USGBC LEED. I ended up not getting one because I was hired in architecture firm and never had chance to look back. The firm that I worked, they did various projects small to big but never did  green building projects. Which means they do not require to be "LEED" employees to work. However, it is getting more important to be "LEED" credentials as many of architectural firm getting projects that requires to be green  or "LEED" certified. 

So what is USGBC and LEED? 

The USGBC founded in 1993 by current CEO Rick Fedrizzi, Mike Italiano, and David Gottfried. The purpose of this membership based non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in buildings design, construction, and operation. LEED is green building rating systems and its annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. 

• USGBC stands for: The U.S. Green Building Council 
• LEED stands for: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 

According to USGBC, the LEED is:

The LEED plaque on a building is a mark of quality and achievement in green building.

Leaders across the globe have made LEED the most widely used green building rating system in the world with 1.85 million square feet of construction space certifying every day. LEED certification provides independent verification of a building or neighborhood’s green features, allowing for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy, cost-effective buildings. LEED is the triple bottom line in action, benefiting people, planet and profit. 

WHY LEED?

LEED certification means healthier, more productive places, reduced stress on the environment by encouraging energy and resource-efficient buildings, and savings from increased building value, higher lease rates and decreased utility costs. In fact, 88 of the Fortune 100 companies are already using LEED.

 

http://www.usgbc.org/

The LEED have 4 rating systems (Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) and it will be awarded to the projects based on the number of points achieved. 

Time to get yourLEED Credentials

http://www.usgbc.org/

There are 3 main categories in LEED Credentials. one is LEED Green Associate, LEED AP, and LEED Fellow.  

• LEED Green Associate: Demonstrates a solid and current foundation in green building principles and practices.
• LEED AP: Affirms advanced knowledge in green building and expertise in a particular LEED rating system. The LEED AP is available with a variety of specialties for professionals to demonstrate proficiency in certain building types.
• LEED Fellow: A peer-nominated designation awarded to highly accomplished individuals with ten or more years of professional green building experience.

Fees: 

• LEED Green Associate: $200 ($100 for students, $250 for non-members)
• LEED AP: Full exam: $400 ($550 for non-members) Specialty only: $250 ($350 for non-members)
• 5 Specialty from the following or you can take full exam
• LEED AP BD+C: LEED AP Building Design + Construction 
• LEED AP O+M: LEED AP Operations + Maintenance 
• LEED AP ID+C: LEED AP Interior Design + Construction 
• LEED AP ND: LEED AP Neighborhood Development
• LEED AP HOMES

You can get study resources and more information about the USGBC LEED at their website.

http://www.usgbc.org/