LEED v3 Changes to LEED AP Credentials
Under LEED v3, the project certification process moves to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), an independent non-profit organization apart from the USGBC.
Previously, acquireing the LEED AP credential required passing only one general exam. Now, becoming a LEED AP requires passing both the Green Associate Exam and a LEED AP Specialty Exam. Learn how to become a LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP under the new credentialling System.
Already a LEED AP? Learn how the LEED v3 affects your credential.
LEED v3 Rating System Technical Advancements
Technical changes to the LEED system fall under three categories:
- Harmonization and Alignment of LEED Credits
- Environmental and Human Health Credit Weighting
- Regionalized Priorities
Harmonization and Alignment of LEED Credits
All LEED commercial and institutional rating system credits and prerequisites have been consolidated and aligned by the USGBC to draw upon their most effective common denominators. The result of this shift is to create consistency among credits and prerequisites across all LEED 2009 rating systems. In addition, precedent-setting and clarifying information from Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIRs) have been incorporated into rating systems.
Environmental and Human Health Credit Weighting
Unlike prior LEED systems, credits now have different weightings depending on their ability to impact different environmental and human health concerns. Climate change, indoor environmental quality, resource depletion, water conservation and nine other environmental impact categories were used to evaluate each point. Now, each credit reflects its portion of the "big picture", with more points awarded for LEED for strategies that have greater positive impacts on energy efficiency and CO2 reductions.
(Want to learn more? Download the USGBC's Credit Weighting Tool to see what factors went into the data weighting process.)
Regionalized Priorities
Naturally, the environmental priorities of an arid region like Arizona differ from a wetter, colder climate like Michigan. To recognize these regional differences, regionally specific environmental issues were identified through USGBC's regional councils, chapters and affiliates. Now, six LEED credits have been prioritized because they address specific environmental issues relating to a project's location. The project will be awarded up to four extra points (one point per credit) for earning the priority credits.
(Want to learn more? Download a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding regional priority credits)
Download the New LEED Rating Systems
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Download Regional Priority Listings by State
Each link below downloads an .xls spreadsheet that list zip codes and the six prioritized LEED credits for each.
