Getting Started with LEED

The following eight pages will define LEED, clarify the LEED certification processes, and explain the LEED professional credentials.
If you are already a LEED AP – please click here.
To get started with a LEED credential, register now for the LEED Green Associate.

Everblue Training Course Registration

 

First, thank you for your interest in LEED. As you may be aware, LEED is fast becoming the industry norm, and no matter what experience you have in the design and construction industry (and even if you have no experience whatsoever), you are making a wise decision for your career and for the environment.

Second, you may wonder how Everblue fits with LEED.  Everblue is the largest USGBC Educational Provider in the world, and your success and education is our mission.  We are proud to have trained thousands of professionals from individuals to the largest corporations and government agencies.  The rest of this page will show you why LEED is being discovered by architects, contractors, engineers, real estate professionals, lawyers, and others who find that adding a LEED credential to their repertoire is taking their careers in new directions.

Getting Started with LEED Series

Page 1: Introduction (This Page)
 

Continue Reading - Page 2 of 8: What is LEED.

 
 
 
24 Comments

I am interested in a Green Career

  • Submitted by Robert Pike (not verified) on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 23:23.
    I am an unemployed electronics technician, who is interested in a green career. I want to find the shortest way to transition to a green career.

I am interested in a GREEN CAREER

  • Submitted by Kumar MLR (not verified) on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 04:26.
    Currently i am not employed properly in my career path from past few years , i would like to request or suggest me the easiest way to do Green Career

Transitioning to a Green Career

  • Submitted by Everblue on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 09:11.
     Kumar,
        Transitioning careers is a process that takes time and effort. To start we recommend that you analyze your current skill set and your passions.  The shortest path to a green career is to marry  your existing skill set and what you were doing before with new green skills that you acquire.  For example, a former banker or financial analyst might be interested in renewable energy so he or she might specialize in the sale of renewable energy credits (RECs) or pairing up with a local contractor to perform ROI calculations on new system installations.
     
       Once you have identified the general path that you are interested in, we recommend learning as much as you can about your chosen field.  During the process you will also need to gain credibility in your new field.  You can do this by earning as many green credentials as you can - such as LEED Green Associate, BPI Building Analyst, Solar Installer, etc.  Use the learning process as a networking tool and keep your existing network informed of your efforts.
     
     Ultimately, the path to a new career is a process of discovery and shouldn't end even when you start a new job or a new business.
     
       Everblue

Everblue, excellent advise!

  • Submitted by Pam (not verified) on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 20:56.
    Everblue, excellent advise!

LEED vs RESNET

  • Submitted by eric (not verified) on Sat, 02/06/2010 - 13:54.
    What is the difference between LEED and RESNET?

LEED GA vs BPI BA or RESNET HERs

  • Submitted by Everblue on Sun, 02/07/2010 - 10:57.
     Eric,
       Hello and thanks for the great question.  The USGBC's LEED rating system is a very broad green building standard while RESNET's HERs rater certification is specifically focused on residential energy efficiency.  For the training courses, our LEED Green Associate training covers over 60 aspects of green building and sustainability from water efficiency through material toxicity through energy efficiency and more.  Our RESNET Home Energy Rater or BPI Building Analyst training focuses on energy efficiency and indoor air quality while also teaching you how to use very specific diagnostic tools like the blower door.
     
       Your background, profession, and interests would determine which standard or which training if right for you.  In fact, if you have the time, we would recommend attaining both credentials as the training and certifications compliment each other and teach students about the great opportunities that are available in the world of green building and energy efficiency.

I own a roofing and a/c firm

  • Submitted by Neil (not verified) on Thu, 03/25/2010 - 08:35.
    I own a roofing and a/c firm in South Florida and I am interested in tying Leed in with my current endeavors. I do many projects with hospitals and schools and feel that the LEED program would help me offer them a more cost effective and environmentally friendly product. How would I get started and do my people need to be LEED certified as well or just myself?

Many school systems in South

  • Submitted by Everblue on Thu, 03/25/2010 - 08:48.
    Many school systems in South Florida are already pursuing LEED and/or following the LEED principles because of the long term operational cost savings involved. To get started, our LEED Green Associate training course is the best foundational class. This training reviews each of the LEED rating systems, the six LEED Credit categories, the LEED project process, and the relevant LEED terminology. To start, I would recommend that just you attend the course and then once you understand how LEED works, we can work with you to do a customized training plan for your staff and crews. Click here for a listing of our Florida LEED Courses.

LEED for an Asphalt Paving Company

  • Submitted by Sue R. (not verified) on Thu, 03/25/2010 - 09:11.
    We are an asphalt paving company. We already use recycled asphalt and return milled pavement to the plant for recycling. How would our company fit into the program? How would we benefit? Would we need to be certified?

LEED Recycling

  • Submitted by Everblue on Thu, 03/25/2010 - 09:15.
    Sue,

    Good job on using recycled asphalt. Yes, your efforts would definitely help a LEED project qualify for points. Attaining LEED accreditation will help under stand the LEED project process and help you communicate to your customers and help improve your sales. The LEED project process is very intensive and requires committed partners such as yourselves to make the project truly environmentally friendly.

    The Everblue Team

IT Trainer Getting Started With LEED

  • Submitted by KC (not verified) on Mon, 04/12/2010 - 16:11.
    I am an experienced IT corporate trainer with numerous certifications. I am very much interested in LEED certification since I plan to offer Green Consulting as part of my service package. Where would you recommend I start?

The Best Place to Start With LEED

  • Submitted by Everblue on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 20:28.
    KC,
    The best place and the required first step is to start with the LEED Green Associate. Our LEED GA Exam Prep course provides you the best way get started and with everything you need to be successful on the LEED Exam.

    Everblue

Determine LEED Certification

  • Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/15/2010 - 09:41.
    I am doing an audit of a construction project. The project is a LEED Project. How can I determine whether a construction contractor and the sub-contractors are Leed Certified?

Determining LEED Compliance

  • Submitted by Everblue on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 09:42.
    When it comes to vetting contractors and sub-contractors, the simplest way is to ask who in the company has the LEED Green Associate or the LEED Accredited Professional credentials. These would be the mark of someone who at least has a basic understanding of LEED. They could provide you the names which you can verify in the USGBC's professional directory.

    Beyond the credentials, you could also ask for their previous LEED project experiences.

    Everblue

Reflective/Cool Roofing Elastomeric Systems

  • Submitted by Vincent (not verified) on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 21:40.
    The Elastomeric Sustainable Roofing sytems are becoming very popular with commercial and residential end users in the South West. The reflectivity of UV's and emissivity of heat into structures has a profound effect on the interior environment of the building as well as keeping roofs out of our landfills. Is there specific info I can research on how Cool Roof systems relate to LEED ratings.

Applying LEED to a Specific Product

  • Submitted by Everblue on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 09:47.
    Vincent,

    The best way to determine how your roofing system can contribute to a LEED project's certification, is by learning the LEED Credit Categories and the LEED Rating Systems. The best and fastest way to do this is with our LEED Green Associate course. In this course we teach all of the LEED credit categories so that you can then figure out how your product can apply to credits like Heat Island Effect Roof, Energy Atmosphere, Material Resources, etc.

    Everblue

Live GA Webinar Registration

  • Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:55.
    I am registered to take the LEED GA webinar through Rutgers college. I was told that flashcards, materials etc would be sent from Everblue. How long after regisration should I expect these items?

Live Webinar Materials

  • Submitted by Everblue on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:50.
    For the Live Webinars, we ship the materials same day or next day of your registration which is shipped via USPS Priority so it usually takes 2-4 business days.

    For Live Classroom courses, we provide the study materials the first morning of the class.

    Everblue

New Career Using LEED

  • Submitted by K4LBu (not verified) on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 16:13.
    I have acquired skills in Quantity Surveying (Building Services; Mechanical) and would like to start a career in LEED. Where do I start.

Hello,The first place to

  • Submitted by Everblue on Wed, 06/09/2010 - 10:57.
    Hello,

    The first place to start with LEED is with the LEED Green Associate course. I noticed that your email address is .co.uk and we have London based LEED class available.

    Everblue

Energy Saving Equipment

  • Submitted by Dale (not verified) on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 11:13.
    Hello,

    We are an OEM manufacturing equipment for the plastics industry. One of our key products is a highly efficient velocity control system which enables several industries to pneumatically convey materials at an increased volume while reducing energy consumption by as much as 30%. How might LEED help us promote our technology and energy savings?

LEED and Energy Saving Equipment

  • Submitted by Everblue on Sun, 06/27/2010 - 21:42.
    Dale,
    Hello. LEED Certification is a rating system for buildings. Within that rating system, about 20% of the attainable points for a building are achieved through energy savings. So if your product can help your customers reduce their energy usage, that would translate into LEED Certification points if they were pursuing LEED.

    Everblue

Recently laid off, is LEED for me?

  • Submitted by S (not verified) on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 15:22.
    I was recently laid off of my position in a landscape architecture firm. I have a basic knowledge of green practices from studies in school and the work of my firm, but I'm not sure it's at the LEED "Green Associate" level. However I would like to get a professional accreditation in a timely manner, and I think that being a LEED AP would help more in the professional world.

    I have two questions--the first is, am I eligible for the LEED AP being unemployed, and without the Green Associate exam? The second question is, if so, how do I best choose which speciality? it seems like the AP ND for neighborhood development is especially catered to landscape architects, but it's also very new, and a new job could be more interested in the Building Design AP. Is there ample cross-pollination in these certifications to ensure that i would be valuable either way?

Attaining LEED AP

  • Submitted by Everblue on Sun, 06/27/2010 - 21:51.
    Sara,

    You will have to attain the LEED Green Associate credential before proceeding to the LEED AP Credential. For the LEED Green Associate exam, you can take the exam if you complete a qualified training course or if you have LEED project experience. Our qualified LEED Green Associate courses will qualify you for the exam.

    For the LEED AP exam, your employment status does not matter. However, you will need LEED project experience in order to qualify for the LEED AP Exam. The project experience requirement is very minimal and you can qualify if you were involved in any LEED project in any capacity. Once your qualify for the exam, I would recommend the LEED AP BD&C credential as it is the oldest and broadest of the LEED AP specialties.

    Thank you,
    Everblue

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