The LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) is the foundational LEED credential. It proves you understand green building principles and the LEED rating system, it has no prerequisites, and it is the credential you must hold before you can take a LEED AP with specialty exam.
LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is the body that governs the LEED certification program, which mainly focuses on green building projects or sustainability projects. The LEED rating system is highly known and used in many construction projects, as we all know. Having LEED credentials validates your understanding of the LEED rating system and opens doors to opportunities both locally and abroad. To become a LEED professional, two levels of the test must be taken and passed. If you are new to LEED entirely, start with what is LEED.
LEED Green Associate (LEED GA)
The LEED Green Associate is a foundational professional credential that validates key proficiency in green building principles. It would be beneficial to a beginner as he/she would gain an understanding of the LEED rating framework’s structure and concepts.
What the LEED Green Associate exam covers
The exam is now based on the LEED v5 rating system and is built around eight knowledge domains, each mapped to a LEED v5 credit category. The candidate handbook publishes the number of questions in each, which tells you exactly where to concentrate your study:
| Knowledge domain | Questions |
|---|---|
| LEED Process | 15 |
| Energy and Atmosphere | 15 |
| Materials and Resources | 11 |
| Indoor Environmental Quality | 11 |
| Water Efficiency | 10 |
| Location and Transportation | 9 |
| Sustainable Sites | 8 |
| Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments | 6 |
The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions in a 2-hour appointment, and you need a scaled score of 170 or higher to pass. It contains both scored and unscored questions distributed randomly, so treat every question as if it counts. The authoritative specification is always the LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook.
Who should take the LEED Green Associate?
Anyone who needs the general knowledge regarding the green building rating system or otherwise known as sustainability can appear to give the exam and there is no prerequisite to take the LEED Green Associate exam. In practice it suits architects, engineers, project and construction managers, facilities and operations staff, sustainability and ESG teams, and students moving into the built environment. It is also the required first step for anyone intending to become a LEED AP, so many candidates take it as the opening move rather than as a destination.
Where and how you sit it
The exam is delivered by Prometric, either at a Prometric test centre or remotely with online proctoring through the ProProctor application, and is scheduled at prometric.com/gbci. There is no cap on attempts, but after three unsuccessful attempts within a twelve-month period you must wait 90 calendar days before registering again, and the registration fee applies to each attempt.
What does the LEED Green Associate exam cost?
Exam fees are set by USGBC and paid directly to them. There is a standard fee, a reduced rate for USGBC members, and a further reduced rate for full- or part-time students. Because these are reviewed from time to time, always check the current fee on the USGBC website before you register rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.
The LEED Green Associate training program is designed to enable participants to succeed in the LEED GA Exam. The successful completion of the training program would arm you with the necessary information to proceed to the next stage of taking the examination. You can appear for the LEED GA examination by registering on the USGBC portal. Training is not required to sit the exam — it exists to improve your chances of passing first time.
Keeping the credential active
The LEED Green Associate runs on a two-year cycle. To maintain it you report 15 continuing education hours per cycle, of which 3 must be LEED-specific and the remaining 12 can be general. Hours can come from education, authorship, volunteering or project participation. Renewal fees apply and vary depending on whether you renew early, on time or late; USGBC publishes the current amounts. There is a grace period after your renewal date, but once a credential expires it has to be re-earned by re-taking the exam.
What comes after LEED Green Associate?
Once you are certified in LEED Green Associate, you can go for the next level of certification i.e LEED AP with specialties. To know more regarding LEED AP check out our LEED Accredited Professional article, or compare the two side by side in the difference between LEED GA and LEED AP. 3FOLD TRAINING delivers exam preparation for the BD+C specialty — see LEED AP BD+C training, or take both credentials together on the LEED GA and AP BD+C combo course.
You can explore your LEED Green Associate training with 3FOLD TRAINING and we assure you the quality training to build your career on green building projects with the help of the followings:
- Once you have enrolled in LEED Green associate training, you will be provided with our learning management system credentials valid up to 365 days i.e 1 year from the date of registration. With video lessons, specimen mock exams, quizzes, and course materials, all written to the LEED v5 rating system.
- You will be provided with a zoom registration link, which will be valid till the end of training. With quality training provided by our training expertise.
- As the training is complete, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which also counts towards your continuing education hours.
- Our concerned product manager will guide you to the exam application whenever you would like to apply for the exam.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a prerequisite for the LEED Green Associate?
No. Anyone can register. USGBC recommends exposure to green building concepts through study, work or volunteering, but it is not required.
Which LEED version is the exam based on?
LEED v5.
How long does the credential last?
Two years, maintained with 15 continuing education hours of which 3 must be LEED-specific.
Do I need LEED Green Associate before LEED AP?
Yes, unless you take the combined LEED GA and LEED AP exam, which waives the prerequisite because both parts are sat together.
To know more about our LEED GA Training, please contact us through the inquiry form, whatsapp, or email. Our dedicated Product Manager will contact you with further information.
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