The key to earning a LEED Green Associate is a thorough understanding of green building and LEED. Earning the LEED GA credential is a prerequisite of taking any of the LEED AP with specialty exams.
The following steps are essential for preparing to ace the exam.
Download and read the free LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook very carefully. Reading the LEED GA Candidate Handbook will give you an understanding of the value in purchasing study materials from the US Green Building Council (USGC), USGBC partners, or third party sources such as Studio4LLC.
The LEED Green Associate Exam is designed to test the general knowledge of green building practices and how to support other professionals working on LEED projects.
The primary sources for the development of the LEED professional exams are the LEED rating systems. The following list of references is not meant to be comprehensive. When combined with the test specifications, the candidate has the material from which the exam is based.
The LEED v4 exam is based on the following text specifications and references. The exam questions reflect Task Domains and Knowledge Domains.
Task Domains: 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.
LEED Green Associate Tasks (100%)
- LEED Green Associate Tasks (100%)
Knowledge Domains: 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.
LEED Process (16 questions)
Integrative Strategies (8 questions)
Location and Transportation (7 questions)
Sustainable Sites (7 questions)
Water Efficiency (9 questions)
Energy and Atmosphere (10 questions)
Materials and Resources (9 questions)
Indoor Environmental Quality (8 questions)
Project Surroundings and Public Outreach (11 questions)
References
The primary sources for the development of the LEED professional exams are the LEED rating systems. The following list of references is not meant to be comprehensive. When combined with the test specifications, the candidate has the material from which the exam is based.
The LEED Green Associate Exam is designed to test the general knowledge of green building practices and how to support other professionals working on LEED projects.
LEED credentials are granted by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
There are 2 main Tiers (types) of accreditation for individuals, each with their respective LEED exam prep classes: Tier 1 LEED Green Associate (GA) and Tier 2 LEED Accredited Professional (AP).
Tier 1 LEED GA is a foundational professional credential signifying core competency in green building principles.
Tier 2 LEED AP with specialty is an advanced professional credential signifying expertise in green building and a LEED rating system based on the Rating System Reference Guide.
Note: Passing the LEED Green Associate exam is a requirement to sit for a LEED AP exam.
Tier 3 LEED Fellows are a highly accomplished class of individuals nominated by their peers and distinguished by a minimum of 10 or more years of professional green building experience. LEED Fellows must also have achieved a LEED AP with specialty credential.
The value of LEED Credentials
Adding a LEED credential to your name is a feather in your cap. It advances your career and opens doors to a greener future. The sustainable building industry is growing at an exponential rate and the world needs more LEED Green Associates and LEED APs to help certify ALL buildings around the globe.