Legacy LEED AP Questions

Do I have to take any more tests to maintain my LEED credential?

If you are currently a LEED AP, you will not have to re-take the exam unless you wish to earn a specialty designation. However, you will have to agree to the USGBC disciplinary policy and you will have to agree to meet the continuing education requirements. You will not have to submit an application or demonstrate proof that you’ve worked on any LEED projects.

What happens to my LEED AP credential now that LEED v3 has launched?

Current LEED APs have three options:
1. Enroll in the new system and become a LEED AP with Scpecialty by passing one of the new specialty examinations; only part two of the new LEED AP exam will be required for current LEED APs who take the test by June 2011. When registering for the exam, APs will need to sign the Disciplinary Policy and agree to the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP). Once enrolled, LEED APs will use one of the new specialty designations (O&M, BD&C, ID&C) after their name.

2. Enroll in the new system and become a LEED AP with Specialty without taking one of the specialty exams. This involves agreeing to the CMP and signing the Disciplinary Policy. The CMP requirements under this option are more strictly defined and follow a prescriptive path intended to ensure a LEED AP's ongoing education reflects the same level of knowledge that is tested in the new specialty exams. The prescriptive CMP requirements apply only to the LEED AP's initial two-year reporting period. Once enrolled, LEED APs will use one of the new specialty designations (O&M, BD&C, ID&C) after their name. Enrollment must occur before June 2011.

3. Do nothing; remain designated LEED AP without a specialty title in the LEED Professional Directory. If you are currently a LEED AP, and you do not opt in to the new requirements to become a LEED AP+ (i.e. continuing education, disciplinary policy, etc), then your status will be changed to “inactive” in the GBCI database. You’ll still hold onto the title LEED AP, but over time that may hurt you if you are compared to someone who is a LEED AP+. Fortunately, it does not take much effort to become a LEED AP+ if you are already a LEED AP. As a small concession, your first $50 biannual maintenance fee is waived if you opt-in to the new program.

Can a Legacy LEED AP still work on LEED v3 projects?

Yes, for the time being legacy LEED APs can work on LEED v3 projects and earn Innovation in Design Credit for being a LEED AP. The USGBC has hinted that this may change in the future.