LEED CMP Explained

The LEED-AP credential has been recognized as a sign of achievement, honoring those who passed the LEED exam as emerging green industry leaders. LEED v.3’s arrival in April 2009, brought a number of changes and enhancements along with it, including a new tiered credentialing system, known as the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP).

The CMP’s goal is to broaden the perspective of LEED professionals, keeping their knowledge current and their LEED accreditation relevant. Under the new tiered system, LEED-APs at all levels (including LEED Green Associates, LEED-APs for Operations and Maintenance, Homes, Building Design & Construction, Interior Design and Construction, and Neighborhood Development) are accredited for two year periods. During that time, a LEED-AP needs to accumulate a set number of continuing education hours, and report them while doing so.

Failing to report the required hours, the LEED-AP credential expires at the end of the two-year period. In order to regain the title of LEED-AP, individuals have to retake and pass both the LEED exam, as well as the exam for their previous specialty. The fee for renewing the title every two years is $50.

LEED-APs are required to collect 30 CE hours over the course of the two-year period, six of which must be LEED-specific hours. Half of those six must be related to the specific LEED credential the individual has. LEED Green Associates are only required to earn 15 CE hours in a two-year span.

Current LEED-APs are eligible, within a two-year period between fall 2009 and fall 2011, to upgrade their accreditation by enrolling in the CMP program. Current LEED-APs can select from three options when enrolling:

• Become a LEED-AP in one of the new specialty areas (Building Design & Construction, Homes, Interior Design & Construction, Neighborhood Development, or Operations & Maintenance) by passing one of the specialty exams.
   
• Become a LEED-AP with one or more specialties (Building Design & Construction, Homes, Interior Design & Construction, Neighborhood Development, or Operations & Maintenance) by completing the CMP requirements for said category for the initial 2-year reporting period.
• Do nothing; the individual will remain listed as a LEED-AP without a specialty in the LEED
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Overall, the introduction of the education requirement ensures that each LEED-AP’s base of knowledge remains up-to-date in a changing field. As the LEED credential has become the standard by which green expertise in the building and design fields are measured, requiring continuing education ensures that LEED remains relevant and meaningful in the future.