Q: How do I fit into the new tiered system as a LEED AP without specialty credentialed under New Construction, Commercial Interiors, or Existing Buildings?

A: LEED APs without specialty credentialed under NC, CI, or EB have three options:

1) Become a LEED AP with specialty by passing one of the new specialty examinations; only the specialty part of the exam will be required if testing during your enrollment window. When applying for the exam you will need to sign the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy and agree to Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP). Once you have passed the exam, you mayl use one of the new specialty designations (O+M, BD+C, ID+C) after your name.

2) Become a LEED AP with specialty by enrolling in the new tiered system-i.e. agreeing to the CMP and signing the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy-and completing prescriptive CMP for the initial 2-year reporting period. Once you have enrolled, you will use one of the new specialty designations (O+M, BD+C, ID+C) after your name. Enrollment must occur before during your enrollment window.

3) Do nothing; you will be designated a LEED AP without specialty in the LEED Professional Directory.

Q: What are the requirements to take a LEED AP exam? 

A: Candidates are required to:

1) Agree to the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy and Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) as outlined at www.gbci.org.

2) Document professional experience on a LEED-registered project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation.

3) Submit to application audit. Five to seven percent of all applications will be audited; you will be notified immediately if you are chosen for an audit and will be advised of your eligibility within 14 days.

Q: Do I need to take the LEED Green Associate exam to be eligible to take the LEED AP exam?

A: No. The LEED Green Associate exam is the first part of the LEED AP exam so you do not have to take it before you apply. In order to be eligible for the LEED AP exam, you must meet the requirements above.

Q: What are the costs associated with becoming a LEED AP?

A: The costs are:

•Application fee: $100
•Exam fee (per exam appointment):
◦$300 for USGBC National Members
◦$450 for non-members
•Credential Maintenance renewal fee: $50 every 2 years
Any additional specialty exam is $150 for USGBC National Members per exam appointment and $250 for non-members per exam appointment, plus the application fee.

Q: What is the format of the LEED AP exams?

A: The LEED AP exam is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam comprised of two parts (the LEED Green Associate exam and the specialty exam), each containing 100 randomly delivered multiple choice questions, and must be completed in 4 hours. View pages 8-10 of your exam's candidate handbook for sample exam questions.

Q: Do I get a break between the parts?

A: No. You may get up and leave your seat (with permission from the test center staff); however, the timer will not stop so when you return the time elapsed will be reflected in the time remaining for the exam.

Q: How is the LEED AP exam scored?

A: The LEED AP exams are scored using a scaled process. Scores for each part range from 125 to 200 but candidates must achieve a minimum score of 170 on both parts to pass the exam and earn the LEED AP credential.

Q: What if I pass only one part of the LEED AP exam?

A: If you pass one part of the LEED AP exam, you will have to retake only the part you failed. Please note that you are still subject the restrictions of three attempts per application period. For example, if it is your first attempt, you will have two additional attempts within the application period to take and pass the part you failed. (See How many times can I take the exam during my application period? for more information.)

Q: If I pass the first part (the LEED Green Associate exam) but not the second (the specialty exam), can I call myself a LEED Green Associate?

A: No. If you pass only the first part of the LEED AP exam, you are NOT a LEED Green Associate. This is because you applied to be a LEED AP and, with that application, you have three attempts to pass the both parts of the LEED AP exam.

If you would like to become a LEED Green Associate, you must contact customer service with the request. Please note that you will be subject to the $50 Green Associate Application fee and will have to agree to the LEED Green Associate Terms and Conditions and CMP requirements.

Q: If I pass the second part (the specialty exam) but not the first (the LEED Green Associate exam), can I call myself a LEED AP?

A: No. In order to become a LEED AP, you must pass both parts of the LEED AP exam.

However, you will have to retake only the part you failed. Please note that you are still subject the restrictions of three attempts per application period. For example, if it is your first attempt, you will have two additional attempts within the application period to take and pass the part you failed.

Q: What happens if I fail part 1 (the LEED Green Associate exam) three times during my application period?

A: If you fail the LEED Green Associate exam three times during your application period, you will have used all of your allotted exam attempts. That means that you will have to wait until three months from the end of your application period (one year from your application approval date) to apply for any LEED Professional Exam.

Q: What happens if I pass part 1 (the LEED Green Associate exam) but fail the part 2 (the LEED AP specialty exam) three times?

A: If you pass part 1 but fail part 2 three times, you can either wait until three months from the end of your application period (one year from your application approval date) to apply to earn the same specialty or you can change credentialing routes and get three attempts to take and pass a different specialty exam within your original application period. For example, if your application was approved on January 1, 2010 and you fail the BD+C specialty exam three times, you can either wait to apply for the exam again on March 1, 2011 or you can change credentialing routes to Homes and have three attempts to take the Home specialty exam by December 31, 2010.

Q: Can I be both a LEED Green Associate and a LEED AP?

A: If you successfully complete any of the LEED AP specialty exams during an active LEED Green Associate reporting period, the LEED Green Associate credential will expire and be replaced by the LEED AP specialty credential. Please see your exam’s candidate handbook or contact GBCI Credentialing Staff at www.gbci.org/contact for more information.

Q: What if I still have unanswered questions or want to learn more?

A: If you have additional questions about LEED Professional credentials, please view your exam's candidate handbook, a resource for GBCI and Prometric policies and procedures throughout the credentialing process, and the Glossary, a dictionary of useful GBCI terms and definitions.