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LEED v4 education has
arrived

Education Course FAQs for Aspiring Credential Holders

Catalogue
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) took over the administration of the LEED® Professional Credentials in
Calendar Canada in February 2010. Since that time, the program has evolved significantly. This FAQ document has been updated to
help clarify the evolution of the credentialing program and the changes that have occurred since the transition to the
LEEDv4 exams in June 2014. Should you have a question which is not covered here, please contact CaGBC
Store Customer Service at [email protected].

• How have the LEED Professional Credentials changed in the last year?
Higher Education Program • How have the LEED exams changed recently?

Corporate Education LEED Professional Exams

• How will LEED v4 affect the content of the exams?
Sustainable Building • What are the different LEED Professional Credentials and how are they different
Advisor Program (SBA) • How will LEED v4 affect the content of the exams?
• Which exam should I write?
e-Learning • Do I have to write the LEED Green Associate exam first?
• What are the eligibility requirements for the LEED Professional Credentials?
• Will I be able to write my exam in French?
Living Building Challenge • How much do the exams cost?
• Will I get a CaGBC member discount on any of the exams?
• What resources and materials should I use to prepare for an exam?
LEED Credentials • Is there a study course that I can take to help me prepare for a LEED exam?
• How do I apply for my exam?
Earning a new LEED • Where do I write the exams?
Credential • How do I maintain my credential?
• How should I note my LEED credential on my business cards, e-mail signature etc?
Maintaining your LEED • When I will receive my certificate indicating my LEED designation?What happens if I am unable to meet the continuing
Credentials education requirements to maintain my credential?

Green Rater Certificate

LEED Professional Credential Overview
FAQs for Aspiring Credential
Holders Q: How have the LEED Professional Credentials changed in the last year?
FAQs for Current Credential
Holders A: The most recent change to the LEED credentials is that the exams are now based the newest LEED rating systems,
LEEDv4. This applies to all of the exams except for the Homes and Neighbourhood Development (ND) which will continue to
be based on 2009 rating systems until later this year or early 2015. Also, candidates for the LEED AP specialty exams are no
longer required to submit official documentation of their LEED project experience. Candidates are still strongly recommended
to have prior LEED project experience as it is critical to the LEED AP® designation and, will tested on their project proficiency
within the LEED AP exam itself.

The current LEED Professional Credentials includes:

• 3 levels of excellence for building professionals to pursue. These tiers provide a means for recognizing knowledge and
expertise beyond a basic understanding of green building practices. They also allow employers, builders and other
industry stakeholders to distinguish between green building professionals with basic, advanced, and extraordinary
levels of knowledge.
• Eligibility requirements for the LEED Fellow (peer nomination)
• Credential maintenance requirements for a ll exam based tiers. As sustainable technologies advance and the LEED
Rating Systems evolve, the LEED Professional Credentials must reflect this evolution to ensure that LEED
Professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices. | top

Q: What is the CaGBC's role in the LEED Professional Credentials?

A: Since the changes to the LEED Professional Credentials in 2010, CaGBC has been focused on providing exam preparation
support to aspiring credential holders in Canada gain the understanding of LEED they will need to pass the exams and support
existing LEED Professionals by providing education to maintain their credentials.

Passing the LEED Professional Exams demonstrates a strong depth of knowledge in and practical understanding of the LEED
Rating Systems. In Canada, CaGBC can be your source for education, study guides, reference guides, chapter study
sessions, and other support to help you meet the challenge. | top

LEED Professional Exams

Q: How will LEED v4 affect the content of the exams?

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A: Unlike the previous LEED 2009 exam content, which focused solely on Knowledge Domains (as in, what LEED
professionals need to know?), the LEED v4 exams include a focus on Task Domains, or what LEED professionals need to do.
In the LEED v4 exams, Knowledge Domains reflect the rating systems’ credit categories and what one needs to know. These
include concepts such as LEED Process, Integrative Strategies, LEED credit categories, and Project Surroundings and Public
Outreach. Task Domains reflect the tasks necessary to perform LEED safely and effectively. These include concepts such as
LEED Project and Team Coordination, LEED Certification Process, Analyses Required for LEED Credits, and Advocacy and
Education for Adoption for LEED Rating System. You can find more information about these changes in the applicable
LEEDv4 exam handbooks here.

Q: What are the different LEED Professional Credentials and how are they different?
A: Tier I: LEED Green Associate

The LEED Green Associate credential recognizes individuals with a demonstrated basic knowledge of green building
fundamentals and commitment to sustainability and transformation of the built environment. The Green Associate credential is
meant for professionals who support green building design, construction, and operations, in non-technical areas of practices,
such as product manufacturers, real estate agents or brokers, higher education faculty. Building professionals who are new to
green building and LEED can also pursue the Green Associate as an entry level designation which reflects their level of
knowledge. This credential is a key mark of quality sought by employers that shows the world that the individual is at the
forefront of the green building industry. | top

Tier II: LEED AP with specialty

The LEED AP with specialty credential demonstrates an advanced depth of knowledge in green building practices and
specialization in a particular LEED Rating System. This credential is best suited for those professionals with hands-on
technical experience on a LEED registered and/or certified project. This would be individuals such as architects, designers,
engineers, designers, building managers etc. There are five (5) areas for specialization:

LEED AP Building Design + Construction (BD + C)

LEED AP Homes
LEED AP Interior Design +Construction (ID + C)
LEED AP Neighborhood Development (ND)
LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (O+M)

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. To be eligible for this
designation, you must have been a LEED AP for at least eight (8) years and be enrolled and/or have achieved the LEED AP
with specialty designation. The LEED Fellow credential is a peer-reviewed and nominated credential. | top

Q: How will LEED v4 affect the content of the exams?

A: As previously mentioned, as of June 30th, the majority of LEED exams are based on LEED v4 rating systems. The two
exceptions are the Homes and ND exams which will transition later in 2014 or early 2015. | top

Q: Which exam should I write?

A: This decision is dependent on a variety of factors – LEED project experience, time available for preparation and
maintenance of the credential, professional demands and financial resources.

Many people choose to earn the LEED Green Associate credential as an entry level credential until they gain the necessary
LEED project experience to be eligible to upgrade to the LEED AP credential of their choice.

As mentioned earlier in this FAQ, the Green Associate is suitable for those who do not have the level of technical experience
on a LEED registered and/or certified project required to earn the LEED AP. The Green Associate can also be a standalone
credential for industry professionals who are not likely to be a regular member of the decision making team for a LEED
project .

The LEED AP with specialty is intended for individuals who are able to demonstrate active, on-going participation on a LEED
registered and/or certified project in a leadership or management role. This would include architects, engineers, and designers
etc who have had a hands-on role with the LEED Project team. When applying for this credential, you must be able to support
your eligibility by providing references from a member of the team who supervised or oversaw your work. If you were the
project manager, a letter from the building owner would also be acceptable.

The full, or combined LEED AP exam includes the Green Associate and the specialty of your choice and is four (4) hours long,
with 200 multiple choice questions. When you pass the combined LEED AP exam; your credential reflects your specialty
credential (BD+C, O+M, Homes etc). | top

Q: Do I have to write the LEED Green Associate exam first?

A: Yes, you will have to write the Green Associate, either as a standalone exam or as part of the combined exam (as
described above). You have the option to write the exams separately. In this case, you would write the Green Associate
portion first and then on a separate date, the specialty portion. The full exam is four hours. If you choose to write the exams
separately, you will have to apply for them separately and pay the applicable application fees; ($50 USD) for the Green
Associate, $100 (USD) for the LEED AP with specialty. | top

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for the LEED Professional Credentials?
A: With the transition of the exams to the LEEDv4 rating systems, the GBCI no longer requires candidates to submit formal
eligibility documentation. Please note that they continue to recommend that candidates for the Green Associate credential
have had some type of exposure to LEED and green building concepts through educational courses, volunteering, or work
experience prior to writing their exams. Candidates for the LEED AP exams are strongly recommended to have prior LEED
project experience as it is critical to the designation and, as such, project proficiency will be tested objectively within the LEED
AP exam itself.

All candidates must agree to the Disciplinary and Exam Appeals Policy and credentialing maintenance requirements, must
submit to an application audit, and be 18 years of age or older. | top

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Q: Will I be able to write my exam in French?

A: All of the LEED Professional exams are available at Prometric test centers in Canada in English. Several of LEEDv4
exams, including the LEED Green Associate, LEED AP BD+C and O+M are available in French, Brazilian Portuguese,
Spanish and and Chinese (simplified). The exam handbooks have also been translated and can be found on the USGBC
website here. | top

Q: How much do the exams cost?

A: The LEED exams fees are as follows:

LEED Green Associate

Exam fee: $250* for CaGBC corporate members and full-time students, and $300* for all others
Maintenance: $50* every two years

LEED AP with specialty

Full exam: $400* for CaGBC corporate members ($550* for non-members)
Specialty only (for LEED Green Associates): $250* for CaGBC corporate members ($350* for non-members)
Maintenance: $50* every two years | top

*Please note all pricing is in US dollars and includes application fees which were previously listed separately.

Q: Will I get a CaGBC member discount on any of the new exams?

A: CaGBC Corporate members are eligible for member pricing on LEED Professional Exams.

To receive the member discount, candidates must call USGBC customer service at +1-202-828-1145 prior to scheduling their
exam. This must process must be completed by phone, as we are two separate organizations, and our membership data is not
accessible through the USGBC website. The USGBC receives regular updates of CaGBC membership so they can verify your
information. You will be asked to confirm your Credential account information, your company name and company member ID
number. Please note that chapter members are not eligible for discounts for the exams. | top

Q: What resources and materials should I study to prepare for an exam?

A: We advise all exam candidates to review the relevant GBCI Candidate Handbook to ensure they understand what
references have been used to develop the exams. The basis for all of the current exams is the LEEDv4 rating systems.

For candidates preparing to write the LEED Green Associate exam, we recommend the Studio4 LEED Green Associate Study
Guide and the Studio4 LEED Green Associate 101 Questions Answers, with full answers and referenced links.

We have been providing these resources through our website and study courses since January 2011. We have reviewed
Studio4's study materials and found them to be excellent source of support for the LEED Green Associate exam, even helping
CaGBC staff pass . They are, in our opinion, among the most comprehensive materials on the market and will definitely
contribute to your learning process. You can find these materials under LEED Exam Preparation Tools on the CaGBC website
in our online store.

CaGBC is not planning to develop study materials for the specialty exams at this time. We recommend that candidates review
the Candidate Handbooks for the exams as well as the relevant USGBC v4 reference guide as they are the basis for the
exams. | top

Q: Is there a study course that I can take to help me prepare for a LEED exam?
A: CaGBC currently offers several different options to help people prepare for and pass the Green Associate exam. With the
transition to LEED v4 and the availability of the Canadian Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs), the CaGBC, as Canada’s
official provider of LEED v4-related education and training, is working hard to help you prepare with a slate of new courses
(both in-class and online).

We offer several options to assist people with preparing for and passing their LEED exams:

• Green Associate In-Class Study Cours - this two day in-class prep course includes small and large group activities,
exam writing strategies, and over 100 practice test questions. Participants also receive all the GBCI primary references
as well as a supplementary study guide and 101 additional practice questions for home study. Our faculty includes
recognized LEED experts with extensive project experience who provide valuable practical advice on the application of
green building strategies in the Canadian environment. Course participants receive over 100 practice test questions, as
well as all GBCI primary references as well as a supplementary study guide and 101 additional practice questions on a
USB key.

• Green Associate Exam Preparation - Virtual Classroom - this 2-month online, self-directed course requires participants
to log into a virtual classroom to complete their assignments etc and post questions for the instructor. The course
involves approximately 30 hours of activities that you can complete whenever is convenient, including viewing of online
readings, recorded audio presentations, and videos. Online discussions focus on one unit each week and participants
are encouraged to submit comments and questions several times a week to maximize their learning. Self-quizzes also
give the opportunity to test their knowledge of each unit.

• Green Associate live webinar - this is our newest option for people preparing to take the Green Associate exam and
offers the information in a convenient learning format. The course is delivered by an instructor in four live, two-hour
sessions, providing access to over eight hours of real-time content. Learning through webinars is less expensive and
more accessible than traditional classroom study courses. The CaGBC Green Associate Study Course webinar also
provides supplementary study tools, including over 400 built-in online practice questions.

CaGBC also has two great options to prepare for your LEED Green Associate through the Higher Education Program:

• LEED Green Associate Study course – for full-time students - Perfect for students who want to earn a professional
LEED credential while in school, this two-day course provides the foundational knowledge for the LEED Green
Associate exam. It is an important element of an individual's study plan, providing opportunities to gain and test new
knowledge through lectures, small and large group activities, and practice test questions. For course details,
visit CaGBC Higher Education. To view local course schedules and fees, contact one of our 20 participating institutions.

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• LEED Green Building Strategies and Green Associate Exam Preparation for students and professionals
seeking continuing education - This course offers a great learning opportunity for both students and that seeking a
general green building overview; this course is an intensive 36-hour program that provides a comprehensive overview
of techniques, approaches, materials and technologies used in creating green buildings and communities, while also
preparing you for the Green Associate exam. The course is designed to be interactive and engaging, incorporating
multimedia, field trips, guest speakers, and case studies in addition to assignments. Depending on the institution, it is
offered in a semester-long or five-day format. For course details, visit CaGBC Higher Education. To view local course
schedules and fees, contact one of our 20 participating institutions.
• LEED AP Building Design + Construction V4 Study Course - this 2 month online course offers approximately 30 hours
of activities and provide fundamental knowledge for the LEED AP BD+C exam. Participants have access to online
readings, recorded audio presentations and practice test questions whenever convenient; you are encouraged to
submit comments and questions to online discussions several times a week to maximize your learning.
• LEED AP O+M V4 Online Exam Preparation Course - participants will examine case studies of LEED EB: OM certified
building projects, concepts of integrated design, third-party verification and the LEED administration process. Students
have access to readings, recorded audio presentations and practice questions. Students are also encouraged to submit
comments and questions to online discussions to maximize learning. With over 30 hours of activities, this study course
provides the fundamental knowledge for the LEED AP O+M exam and makes it an important element of your study
plan. | top

Q: How do I apply for my exam?

A: Exam applications are submitted through the USGBC website, which is www.usgbc.org. First time applicants can use the
link here to set up a profile and begin the application process. Once you have created your USGBC account, you can follow
the prompts to submit your exam application. You will then follow the prompts to submit your application. You will receive an
on-screen and email notification that your application was successfully submitted to Prometric. The email should include a link
to the Prometric website for you to choose your test date etc. Using their online scheduling system, you may choose the test
centre, date and time that is convenient for you. You are able to view dates up to 3 months ahead or within 72 hours of
submitting your application to GBCI. You can find the exact address of the test center in your city/province, by visiting their
website – www.prometric.com/gbci. You will have to select an exam in order to view the test centres. | top

Q: Where do I write the exams?

A: The exams are written at Prometric test centres. Instructions on scheduling your LEED exam can be found in candidate
handbooks which are available as a free download here. They are very helpful and informative resources for LEED exam
preparation. Please note that an eligibility ID is valid for one exam attempt. Should you fail your exam, you will have register
for a retake. | top

Q: How do I maintain my credential?

A: LEED Green Associates must complete fifteen (15) hours of credential maintenance every 2 year cycle, while LEED AP's
with specialty must complete thirty (30) hours. For Green Associates, three of the fifteen hours must be LEED specific, which
is defined as an activity that has an explicit connection to processes, procedures, or concepts (i.e. intents, requirements, and
strategies) found in any of the current LEED rating systems. For LEED APs with specialty, six (6) of the thirty hours must be
LEED specific and related to their area of specialty. All CE hours are reported through your LEED credentialing account on the
USGBC website (the same account used to apply for your exam). You do not need to report any continuing education to
CaGBC.

You can continue to look to CaGBC for quality, leading edge education to help you stay at the forefront of the green building
industry. | top

Q: How should I note my LEED credential on my business cards, e-mail signature etc?
A: When you pass the LEED Green Associate exam, you may use the title "LEED Green Associate, "LEED Green Assoc"
and/or the logo. All other instances should be noted as "LEED Green Associate" or "LEED Green Assoc."

When you pass the LEED AP exam, you may use the title "LEED AP" followed by your specialty (ies): BD+C, Homes, ID+C,
ND, O+M and/or the logo. While LEED is a registered trademark, USGBC and GBCI do not require LEED Professionals to use
the '®' or 'TM' symbols in email signatures or on business cards. | top

Q: When I will receive my certificate indicating my LEED designation?

A: Once your exam results have been processed, you can request your certificate. Certificates are available in two forms: PDF
soft copy (available for download at any time for free from your credentialing account) and a hardcopy (one free per reporting
period, additional copies cost $25 each). If your certificate arrives damaged or does not arrive at all, please request a free
replacement through the USGBC website here. | top

Q: What happens if I am unable to meet the continuing education requirements to maintain my

credential?
A: LEED Professionals’ credential(s) will expire if they fail to complete the CMP requirements and submit for renewal 90 days
after their reporting period. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from being able to complete your credential maintenance
in your 2-year reporting period, you may request a waiver or extension. Please review the current Credentialing Maintenance
Program (CMP) Guide on the USGBC website here for more details.

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