Legacy LEED APs and LEED v3

What Do I Need to Do to Maintain My LEED AP Status?

If you are an existing LEED AP, you are not yet required to take any exams to maintain your LEED AP status.    You may continue to use the LEED AP designation after your name and may even continue to work on LEED v3 projects. However, there is a clear distinction between legacy LEED APs credentialed under previous systems and professionals with the LEED AP+ with Specialty credential acquired under the v3 system.

If you do not enroll in the LEED v3 credential system, you status will eventually be changed to "inactive" in the GBCI LEED database.  You may also find the value of your LEED AP credential devalued over time, as all new and upgraded LEED APs are distinguished by specialty designation. 

The specialty designations indicate not only deep, specialized knowledge, but also familiarity with the latest LEED systems.

Fortunately,  it takes little effort for existing LEED APs to upgrade their credential under the new system.   There are two options available for you to upgrade your LEED AP credential.

Option 1: Acquire a LEED AP Specialty by Passing an AP+ Exam

You can improve and update your credential by adding a specialty certification to your LEED AP status by passing one of the five specialty exams.

FIrst, you need to enroll in the new credential system, which involves signing the Disciplinary Policy and agreeing to continuing education requirements through the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP).  

Next, pass one of the five specialty credential exams.  Fortunately,  existing LEED APs are not required to pass the LEED Green Associate exam before becoming eligible for the LEED AP specialty exam.  Existing LEED APs are also not required to demonstrate proof that they have worked on LEED projects. 

After passing the exam, you may use the specialty designation, such as LEED AP BD+C, after your name along with as the LEED AP with Specialty logos.

Option 2: Become a LEED AP Specialty without Taking the LEED AP+ Exam

You may also improve your credential to LEED AP+ without taking an AP+ exam.  As in Option 1,  you are required to enroll in the new credential system, agree to the Disciplinary Policy and the new credentialing maintenance program.   However,  the credential maintenance program has a more strict and prescriptive path that must be followed over a two-year initial reporting period.    LEED APs who follow this program will also be able to use the LEED AP+ with Specialty designation after enrolling in the program.  Candidates must enroll before the summer of 2011.

Enrolling into the LEED v3 Credential System

To enroll in the new LEED v3 system,  you must create a profile on the GBCI website.