FAQ -LEED Professional Accreditation

What are the benefits of LEED Professional Accreditation?
For Individuals:
LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the integrated design and LEED certification process. LEED Accredited Professionals have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes. In addition, LEED Professional Accreditation offers the following benefits:

• Valuable and marketable credential for employers, prospective employers, or clients
• Listing on USGBC Web site directory of LEED Accredited Professionals
• LEED Accredited Professional certificate
• Recognition for involvement in LEED project

For Employers:

• Become eligible for projects on which owners are mandating the participation of a LEED Accredited Professional.
• Strengthens qualifications when responding to RFPs requiring LEED Accredited Professionals.
• Encourages employees to continue increasing their knowledge and understanding of green building and LEED

For the Building Industry:

• Encourages and promotes a higher understanding of LEED and supports USGBC’s mission of transforming the built environment.

When and where is the exam offered?
USGBC contracts with Prometric to administer the LEED AP exam on demand at their test sites all over the U.S. and its territories. In Boise, the Prometric test site is located 5123 North Glenwood St, across from the Fairgrounds. You can search for your local test site at www.prometric.com/usgbc.

How much does the exam cost?
The exam fee is $250 for members and $350 for non-members. All employees of USGBC member companies qualify for the member rate. (You must have your Corporate ID number entered in your website account to receive the member rate. Contact membership@usgbc.org if you have questions regarding your company's USGBC membership.) A receipt for the exam fee will print at the test site with the score report.

What should I study for the exam?
Candidates should study the LEED Reference Guide and other resources listed in the Exam Content section of the USGBC website. You purchase a LEED Reference Guide through the Products & Services section of the USGBC Web site. Candidates can supplement their study by attending a LEED Technical Review workshop. These full-day, faculty-led workshops are held around the country throughout the year. Visit the USGBC Workshops page for more information or to find a workshop near you.

What is the format of the LEED Professional Accreditation exam?
The LEED AP exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam. Each exam track consists of eighty randomly delivered questions.

How is the LEED Professional Accreditation exam scored?
A scaled scoring process is used to score each exam. Scores can range from 125 to 200, but candidates must achieve at least a 170 to pass the exam. Note that the scaled score is neither the number of items correct nor percentage correct. USGBC reports scaled scores so that candidates know that a passing score of 170 is required to pass on each test.

What is the appropriate way to designate my accreditation?
LEED® AP or LEED® Accredited Professional are the appropriate ways to designate your credential. Successful candidates may begin using the credential immediately.

When will I receive my certificate of accreditation?
Certificates are mailed six to eight weeks after your exam date.

I am already a LEED Accredited Professional. Do I need to re-test, fulfill continuing education credits, or pay annual dues to maintain my credential?
At this time, there are no re-accreditation, continuing education or dues requirements for LEED Accredited Professionals. The U.S. Green Building Council is developing an accreditation maintenance program to be implemented in the future.

Who can I contact with further questions?
Refer to the LEED AP Candidate Handbook for more information, policies and procedures. Send questions to exam@usgbc.org or call (U.S.) 1-800-795-1747 or (International) 202-742-3792.