GUIDE TO LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE

The demand for LEED certifications and LEED accreditation is constantly increasing in today’s economy. Just as a PhD brings significant expertise in an industry standard, LEED marks a trust in sustainable design.

LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM

If you are looking for a way to start your career in the green industry, LEED Green Associate is the answer. It is the first tier granted by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) to certify professionals to prove their knowledge in green building principles and practices by successfully passing the LEED Green Associate exam. Whether you are starting out or just transitioning to a sustainability role, LEED GA demonstrates your commitment to a better future.

This foundational credential helps professionals from diverse backgrounds to demonstrate a basic understanding of green building concepts, LEED rating systems, and sustainable design strategies. There are no prerequisites or eligibility criteria to acquire this credential.

EXAM FORMAT

The exam is computer based and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Previous experience on green building and LEED would definitely be helpful for passing the exam. If not, candidates can confidently pass the exam on the first try by studying the right materials.

For the examination, you have 2 hours to complete the test. The exam is scored out of 200 points, and you need 170 or higher to pass the exam.

All LEED exams are taken at the Prometric centers around the world. If you prefer to take your exam at the testing center, you can find the closest Prometric testing center from the website. However, for convenience’s sake, the LEED GA exam can be taken from home with online proctoring.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE EXAM

Currently, the exam is based on the LEED v4 rating system and here is the outline of LEED GA exam and the breakdown of all 100 questions according to their category:

• 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 Surrounding and Public Reach Outreach – 11 questions

LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES

All new? There is a full suite of LEED GA prep tools provided by Reteal.

• Self-paced Online Course
• Downloadable LEED Green Associate Guide (PDF)
• Practice Questions with detailed explanations

LEED Green Associate candidate handbook provided by USGBC

HOW TO REGISTER FOR LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM

Congratulations on your decision to become a LEED Green Associate!

To register for the exam, you can create an account by visiting the site www.usgbc.org.

In your account, under the “Credentials” section, choose LEED Green Associate and follow the instructions on the screen to complete your registration.

At the last step, you need to pay the exam fee and schedule the date and place of your exam from the Prometric’s website – prometric.com/gbci

Exam fee is $250 for non-USGBC members and $200 for USGBC members. Students can qualify for additional discounts.

TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE EXAM

• Go through the materials twice at least.
• Familiarize yourself with the LEED Rating system – LEED v4 and focus on the following categories:
  • Sustainable Sites
  • Water Efficiency
  • Energy and Atmosphere
  • Materials and Resources
  • Indoor Environmental Quality
  • Innovation
• Use Study Materials from the site
• Take endless practice exams to familiarize yourself with the question format and timing
• Focus on key concepts to understand the importance of LEED in the industry and benefits of green building

The study duration for each test taker can greatly vary and may depend on different factors. But if you dedicate 3-4 hours per day, you can prepare yourself within a duration of approximately 3 weeks.

Hope to see you as a LEED Green Associate professional soon!