Step II: Specialize with LEED AP

This is Page 7 of 8 in the Getting Started with LEED series.

To become a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) with Specialty, someone must pass at least one 2-hour, 100 question specialty exam.

There are five specialty areas available: LEED AP
LEED Building Design & Construction (LEED BD&C)
LEED Interior Design & Construction (LEED ID&C)
LEED Operations & Maintenance (LEED O&M)
LEED Homes (LEED H)
LEED Neighborhood Development (LEED ND)

LEED AP Specialty Overview. The LEED AP with Specialty credential is for professionals seeking to demonstrate an advanced depth of knowledge in green building practices; it also will reflect the ability to specialize in a particular LEED Rating System. For example, if you are a residential home builder, you would specialize in LEED Homes. You can attain multiple specialty designations by passing multiple exams.
 
Exam Eligibility. In order to become eligible to sit for the LEED AP with Specialty exam, a candidate must demonstrate that they have work experience on a LEED project. If a candidate does not have work experience, they can use their LEED Green Associate credential to gain experience if they wish to pursue a Tier II credential. The experience requirement is also very loosely defined. For example, while you would ideally have been the project's LEED administrator, more realistically you might have sold or advised on Air Conditioning equipment for a LEED project or perhaps you were a sub-contractor on a LEED project (even if you have nothing to do with the building's LEED certification).
 
Exam Breakdown. The Tier II exams are 100 questions and last two hours. You must score at least 170 out of 200 in order to pass. While the LEED Green Associate focuses on concepts and terminology, the LEED AP with Specialty exam tests a candidate's in-depth understanding of one of the five main rating system categories. You will have to memorize performance thresholds (percentages of energy savings for example) and perform calculations during the exam.
 

How to Study. At this level, we also recommend starting with a course. A LEED AP Specialty course will jump start and focus your study efforts.  The LEED AP with Specialty exams are memorization intensive, and it is critical that you focus on right material. Although the USGBC reserves the right to test you on any aspect of the rating system and the LEED certification process, in practice some areas are easier to test than others. We show you those areas. Once you have completed a course, you should expect to study for 30-40 hours with the provided study materials (study guide, memorization sheets, and practice exam questions) and will need to memorize the standards cold before writing the exam.
 

Taking the Exam. When you are ready, the exam is available six days a week (Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.) at any Prometric testing center. It is computerized exam. You will not have access to anything but the exam screen (ie no internet). The exam is closed book so you will have to memorize all of the required knowledge (we have many memorization aides built into our courses). The benefit of taking the exam on a computer is that you will receive your score and find out if you passed before you leave the testing center.

Continue Reading - Page 8 of 8: The Benefits of LEED.

I'm ready to become a LEED Green Associate
Back to the LEED Certification & Training Main Page

 
 
 
2 Comments

I am own an infrared and

  • Submitted by David Cochran (not verified) on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:56.
    I am own an infrared and weatherization inspection business and want to be able to help habitat for humanity. What do I need to take? How long will the classes be? How much will the total cost be? Thank You Dave

Dave,Hello. We recommend the

  • Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/12/2010 - 14:02.
    Dave,
    Hello. We recommend the BPI Building Analyst or the RESNET HERs rater training. Both provide you with a nationally recognized residential energy efficiency credential and will help you help Habitat build better, more efficient homes.

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