Maine Chapter U.S. Green Building Council LEED Professional Credentials

Maine Chapter U.S. Green Building CouncilLEED Professional Credentials

LEED Professional Credentials: Agenda Introduction USGBC and GBCI: Who’s Who Professional Credentialing Program: Overview LEED Green Associate LEED AP+ LEED AP Without Specialty LEED Fellow Credentialing Maintenance Program Timeline Resources

USGBC and GBCI: Who’s Who USGBC: U.S. Green Building Council Non-profit 501(c)(3) community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation Develops and maintains the LEED Green Building Rating System Develops consensus-based programs to serve the green building industry Offers educational programs; GBCI-Approved Education Review Body Develops and publishes comprehensive green building resources Provides support to local chapters

USGBC and GBCI: Who’s Who GBCI: Green Building Certification Institute Established in January 2008, GBCI provides independent, third-partyproject certification and professional credentials Administers project certification under the USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating Systems Manages the professional credentialing programs based upon the LEED Rating Systems, including the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) Developed a standard for the review of education programs and approves organizations against this standard to serve as GBCI Education Reviewer Bodies (ERBs). ERBs will review green building course work which will, in turn, qualify to earn CMP credits for LEED Professionals.

The New LEED Professional Credentialing Program Goals Challenges Solution: The New Program Benefits of the Professional Credential

Goals Encourage green building professionals to maintain and advance their knowledge and expertise Provide employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with assurances of an individual’s current level of competence Serve as the reliable and meaningful mark of the most qualified, educated, and influential green building professionals in the marketplace

Challenges Staying current: Technology, best practices, and the LEED rating systems evolve rapidly Differentiation: A credentialing system that provides for multiple levels of accomplishment and expertise is needed to distinguish among green building professionals with basic, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge Specialization: Many green building professionals develop expertise in specific sub-sectors of the industry

Solution: The New Program Tiered credentialing program distinguishes practitioners with basic, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge Green Associate, LEED AP with specialty (LEED AP)+, LEED Fellow Eligibility requirements for all levels of the exam system Relevant Experience Credentialing maintenance requirements that ensure that LEED professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices Continuing Education Disciplinary Policy Established standards of conduct and a fair process for addressing noncompliance New fee structure

Benefits of the Professional Credential Strengthen your green building qualifications Contribute to your professional development Earn recognition with the nation's predominant green building professional credential Market your green building knowledge to potential clients Help a LEED registered project earn one point toward certification Receive a certificate and opt to be listed in GBCI’s Directory of LEED Credentialed Professionals

LEED Green Associate For professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice, GBCI has created the LEED Green Associate credential, which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations. This is an introductory level credential and is applicable for those in support of LEED projects. Examples are flooring reps, real estate brokers, property managers, construction field technicians, etc.

LEED Green Associate: Eligibility Requirements Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) as outlined at www.gbci.org. Have experience in the form of EITHER documented involvement on a LEED-registered project OR employment in a sustainable field of work OR engagement in an education program that addresses green building principles Submit to an application audit. Five to seven percent of all applications will be audited; you will be notified immediately if you are chosen for an audit and will be notified of your eligibility within 14 days.

LEED Green Associate: Exam Multiple choice computer based exam comprised of 100 randomly delivered multiple choice questions which must be completed in two hours Exam is scored using a scaled process. Scores range from 125 to 200 but candidates must achieve minimum score of 170 to pass and earn the Green Associate credential Three attempts at the exam during a one year application period Recommended study materials: Green Building and LEED Core Concepts LEED Core Concepts Online Course GA Study Guide

LEED Green Associate: CMP Candidates who pass the LEED Green Associates exam must complete 15 continuing education hours biennially: 3 of the 15 must be LEED-specific Maintenance through retesting option (12mo to 3mo prior to expiration)

LEED Green Associate: Fees Application : $50.00 Exam Fees National Member/Student: $150.00 Others: $200.00 Biennial CMP FEE : $50.00

LEED AP+ Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) Homes Neighborhood Development (ND)

LEED AP+: Eligibility Requirements Agree to the disciplinary policy and Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) as outlined at www.gbci.org. Document professional experience on a LEED project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation. Submit to application audit. Five to seven percent of all applications will be audited; you will be notified immediately if you are chosen for an audit and will be advised of your eligibility within 14 days.

LEED AP+: Exam The LEED AP exam is divided into two parts. The first part is the LEED Green Associate exam, which demonstrates general knowledge of green building practices. The second part is a specialty exam based on one of the LEED Rating Systems. FAQ: If I pass the Green Associate portion but not the specialty exam am I then a Green Associate? No! You applied for the LEED AP+ Credential and have three attempts to do so. But, you may apply to change your credential application (see GBCI.org, involves a $50 fee). Recommended study materials: Reference Guide Rating System-specific study guide Rating System-specific online course

LEED AP+: CMP Candidates who pass the LEED AP exam must complete 30 continuing education hours biennially 6 of the 30 must be LEED-specific and Rating System-specific CMP Guide, Appendix A: List of Categories Accepted for CE Hours (What is an acceptable Rating System-specific topic?) For each specialty the candidate must complete an additional 6 hours. (i.e. A LEED AP with O+M and ID+C needs 36hrs) Maintenance through retesting option (12mo to 3mo prior to expiration)

LEED AP+: Fees Application: $100.00 Exam Fees Core Exam (Green Associate Exam) + 1 Specialty National Member: $300.00 Others: $450.00 Each Additional Specialty Exam: National Member: $150.00 Others: $250.00 Biennial CMP Fee: $50.00

LEED AP Without Specialty LEED APs credentialed under NC, CI, or EB prior to the launch of the new credentialing system Enrollment: A one-time process through which LEED APs without specialty can complete credentialing maintenance or retest to earn one of the new LEED AP with specialty credentials Enrollment Window: A 2-year period between fall 2009 and fall 2011. Your enrollment window is available at GBCI.org  “My Credentials” and will also be emailed to you in fall 2009 Three Options Enroll through testing Enroll through prescriptive CMP Do nothing

1. Enroll Through Testing First stop: GBCI.org  “My Credentials” When applying for the exam, LEED APs without specialty must: meet eligibility requirements pay the application fee ($100) sign the disciplinary policy agree to credentialing maintenance Only the specialty part of the exam will be required if testing during your enrollment window Once test is passed, LEED AP+ designation may be used

2. Enroll Through Prescriptive CMP First top: GBCI.org  “My Credentials” Prescriptive CMP: For initial reporting period, 30 CE hours (6 of which must be LEED-specific hours and at least 3 of these 6 must be LEED Rating System-specific hours) which meet the minimums for each domain (topics) listed under their specialty as outlined in the CMP Enrollment Guide for LEED APs Without Specialty When enrolling, they must sign the disciplinary policy and agree to regular credentialing maintenance after initial reporting period LEED AP+ designation may be used immediately upon enrollment $50 biennial CMP renewal fee waived for first reporting period

3. Do Nothing All LEED APs without specialty (those credentialed under the LEED AP NC, CI, or EB exam tracks) will continue to hold the LEED AP credential in perpetuity whether they choose to enroll in the new system or not Additionally, if at any point, a LEED Professional who was credentialed under the LEED AP NC, CI, or EB exam tracks fails to maintain their LEED AP with specialty (or LEED Green Associate) credential, the may use the LEED AP without specialty title and logo again LEED APs without specialty who choose not to enroll will continue to appear as a LEED AP without specialty in the LEED Professional Directory. They may continue to use the title of LEED AP with no specialty designation afterward LEED APs without specialty may choose to enroll at any point during their enrollment window. After this period, if LEED APs without specialty want to become LEED APs with specialty, they must apply and take both parts of the LEED AP exam and are responsible for all applicable fees

LEED Fellow This credential is still under development. The intention is to recognize an extraordinary class of leading professionals distinguished by their years of experience and contributions to the standards of practice and body of knowledge for achieving continuous improvement in the green building field.

Credentialing Maintenance Program Overview Requirements Activities Non-Compliance

Overview Introduction Continuing Education (CE) hours Education Reviewing Bodies (ERBs) Reporting credentialing maintenance Eligibility Requirements Audits Maintenance through testing Renewal Fees

Introduction Refer to the CMP Guide (see Resources slide for link) for the current policies and procedures. Designed to keep LEED Professionals current with changes to green building technology and the LEED Rating Systems Credentials must be maintained on a 2-year cycle through the accumulation of continuing education (CE) hours CMP Reporting Period: Required CE hours must be earned during the 2-year period following the date GBCI awarded their credential begins on the exam date or the CMP enrollment date and ends 2 years minus 1 day from the start date If LEED Professionals do not complete these requirements and/or do not report their hours to GBCI, the credential expires

Continuing Education (CE) Hours CE Hours: Hours earned from credentialing maintenance activities Accumulation of CE hours is the basis of the Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) CE hours are calculated differently depending on the activity

Education Review Bodies (ERBs) ERBs are organizations that review and approve professional development courses, live presentations, and self-study courses based on predetermined criteria for instructional design and technical content Once approved by an ERB, programs will be accepted by GBCI as approved continuing education for LEED Professionals Live presentations, self-study programs, and college and university courses reported for CE hours are not required to be ERB-approved All professional development/continuing education courses reported for CE hours must be approved by an ERB All LEED-specific continuing education must be approved and designated as LEED-specific by an ERB or GBCI

Reporting LEED Professionals must self-report all of their CE hours online at GBCI.org  “My Credentials” No additional documentation will be required unless audited LEED Professionals will be able to begin self-reporting their CE hours in My Credentials after November 1, 2009, when the reporting module is launched For example, this presentation is worth 1 CE hour! Live presentation. Not LEED-specific.

Audits GBCI credentialing staff will conduct random audits of CE hours submitted for the most recent reporting period When audited: The LEED Professional is notified of the audit and may be asked to send documentation of hours that were reported by him/her The reported CE hours and supporting documentation will be reviewed by staff and a determination will be made as to whether the hours are accepted or denied The LEED Professional will receive a confirmation from the GBCI staff regarding findings ofthe audit and any further action required The LEED Professional will have the opportunity to respond to any deficiencies noted. If deficiencies remain after 90 days or any CE hours are denied, the credential will expire.

Maintenance Through Testing LEED Professionals have the option of maintaining their credential through retesting (without completing continuing education) LEED Professionals maintaining through retesting must take the required exam between 3 and 12 months from the end of their reporting period In order to retest, LEED Professionals must apply (including meeting eligibility requirements) and register for the required exam at GBCI.org  “My Credentials” and are responsible for all applicable fees LEED Green Associates are required to take the LEED Green Associate exam and LEED APs are required to take only the LEED specialty exam

Renewal Once LEED Professionals have completed the CMP requirements for their credential, they may renew their credential and pay the $50 CMP renewal fee at GBCI.org  “My Credentials”at any timeduringtheir reporting period without altering its start and end dates However, LEED Professionals must renew their credential within the 30 days following the end of their reporting period If the credential is not renewed within 30 days of the end date, the credential will expire.

Fees LEED Professionals are responsible for a biennial $50 CMP renewal fee at the time of renewal If this fee is not paid in the 30 days following the end of the reporting period, the credential will expire As discussed earlier in this presentation, this fee is waived for the first renewal for all LEED APs without specialty who enroll through prescriptive CMP

CMP Requirements LEED Green Associates must earn 15 CE hours biennially 3 of which must be LEED-specific hours LEED APs must earn 30 CE hours biennially 6 of which must be LEED-specific and Rating System-specific LEED APs with multiple specialties (BD+C and O+M, for example) must maintain each of them Designate “primary specialty” and “secondary specialty(ies)” Must complete 30 CE hours in primary specialty (6 of which must be LEED-specific and at least 3 of these 6 must be LEED Rating System-specific) Must also complete an additional 6 LEED-specific hours, of which at least 3 must be LEED Rating System-specific for each secondary specialty Prorating occurs when specialties not achieved simultaneously

“LEED-Specific” All LEED-specific continuing education must be approved and designated as LEED-specific by an ERB or GBCIand meet one or more of the following criteria: be process-related to LEED. be credit and/or category related, such as dealing with requirements, intents, or version comparisons. be a LEED update (in-depth, technical). be an in-depth LEED project case study targeted towards one specific LEED Credit. show a best practice lesson which entails successful or unsuccessful implementation of LEED, such as: examples of LEED implementation that have resulted in failure and should be avoided, implementing LEED while maintaining compliance with local codes and regulations, successfully implementing LEED using innovation as a tool to guide the project. show benefits of using LEED (ROI, grants, taxes, incentives).

CMP Activities Activity Hours: Actual time LEED Professionals are engaged in a credentialing maintenance activity Content Types: General green building, LEED-specific, rating system-specific CE hours (used like the term “units”) are the hours that are earned for each activity Ratio of CE hours to Activity hours varies according to the delivery method 8 Delivery Methods

1. Professional Development Courses For professional development/continuing education courses that are not part of a degree program: Must be ERB-approved and increase the competency of LEED Professionals follow current green building practices and provide correct program content be designed and instructed by persons qualified in the subject matter provide documentation of successful course completion to the LEED Professional from the ERB-approved course are at least 50 minutes of instructional time in length CE Hours Possible: 1 hour for first activity hour, .5 CE hours for each additional hour LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours possible if approved by ERB or GBCI Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide

2. Live Presentations Live presentations, both approved by an ERB and not, as an attendee or as an instructor, discussion leader, speaker, or panelist CE Hours Earned: 1 CE hour for first activity hour, .5 CE hours for each additional hour Presenters may additional CE hours for preparation time LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours possible if approved by ERB or GBCI Limitations: Yes, please refer to CMP Guide.

3. Self-Study For self-study, both approved by an ERB and not, which may be structured (audio, audio-visual, written, online, etc.) or a written or online examination Any reading/research (professional manuals, publications, articles) that is relevant to the practice of a LEED profession and includes any of the accepted topics listed on Appendix A of the CMP Guide will be accepted for CE hours. LEED Professionals will need to supply GBCI with a record of the periodical read, exact pages, and linkage to accepted topics. CE Hours Possible: 1 hour for first activity hour, .5 CE hours for each additional hour LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours possible if approved by ERB or GBCI Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide.

4. College and University Courses For courses, both approved by an ERB and not, offered at accredited colleges or universities (including community colleges) which are included in the curriculum of a college or university degree program regardless of the student’s enrollment status CE Hours Possible: 1 CE hour per classroom hour LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours possible if approved by ERB or GBCI Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide.

5. Certificates, Professional Licenses, and Credentials For successfully completing the examinations for certificates, professional licenses or credentials CE Hours Possible: 1 CE hour per certificate; 3 CE hours per professional licenses and credentials LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours not possible Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide.

6. Committee and Volunteer Work For participation in USGBC or GBCI board of directors; committees; credential exam item writing or job task analysis; local or regional USGBC Chapters; Emerging Green Builders; or other volunteer organizations that support the LEED system CE Hours Possible: 2 CE hours for holding a leadership position; .5 CE hours per meeting attendance LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours not possible Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide.

7. Authorship For published articles and books that are related to approved topics listed on Appendix A of the CMP Guide and contribute to the competency of LEED Professionals CE Hours Possible: 3 CE hours for published article, 10 hours for published book LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours possible Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide.

8. LEED Project Participation For work related to the implementation of LEED credit requirements and documentation of performance on a project that is LEED-registered CE Hours Possible: 1 CE hours for credit or prerequisite, 2 CE hours for being the Project Administrator LEED-specific/rating system-specific hours not possible Limitations: Yes, refer to CMP Guide. Limited to 10 per 2-year reporting period.

CMP Non-Compliance Failure to Comply: Unsupported, misstated, or fraudulent reporting of CE hours may be grounds for disciplinary action (ref. Disciplinary Policy) Failure to fulfill and/or report the required CE hours for the CMP reporting period will result in expiration of the credential Waivers for extensions may be considered for exceptional circumstances Credentials will expire if CMP requirements are unfulfilled or CMP renewal fee is unpaid within specified time period Reinstatement possible through reapplying and retesting

Disciplinary Policy Professional candidates are required to agree to the disciplinary policy. The GBCI adopted the policy to articulate standards of conduct for individuals seeking certification and recertification, and holding certification through the LEED Professional program. The Disciplinary Policy was also adopted to establish a fair process for addressing noncompliance. General principles: be truthful, forthcoming, and cooperative in their dealings with GBCI be in continuous compliance with GBCI rules (as amended from time to time by GBCI) respect GBCI intellectual property rights abide by laws related to the profession and to general public health and safety carry out their professional work in a competent and objective manner. Addresses grounds for disciplinary action, sanctions, compliance, examination, eligibility, adverse actions, complaints, disciplinary review procedures, the credential steering committee, summary procedure, continuing jurisdiction, contact information changes, release of information, and use of the credential trademark.

Timeline Green Associate: Applications open LEED AP+ Exams BD+C: Applications open ID+C: Applications open O+M: Applications open ND: Expected to launch 2010 Homes: Applications open Enrollment window for LEED APs without specialty: 2-year period beginning between August 3 and October 26, 2009 (check “My Credentials” for your specific window) CMP reporting module launched: Nov. 1, 2009 USGBC Maine Chapter/Emerging Green Builders GA Study Group will begin in January 2010.

Resources Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) www.gbci.org Professional Credentialing FAQs www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=119 GBCI Candidate Handbooks www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=97 CMP Guide http://www.gbci.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3665 CMP Enrollment Guide for LEED APs Without Specialty ww.gbci.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3666 USGBC Exam Preparation Strategies/Resources www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2011 USGBC Publications: Study Guides www.usgbc.org/Publications USGBC Maine Chapter: Study Groups www.maineusgbc.org

USGBC Maine ChapterPO Box 2001Portland, ME 04101207.329.0700Contact Katye Charette: executivedirector@maineusgbc.org

Maine Chapter U.S. Green Building Council LEED Professional Credentials