Becoming LEED AP certified is one of the best steps you can take as a design professional. Especially in a world where people are becoming increasingly concerned with the impact of the built environment on global warming, the future of sustainability and our overall health. But what exactly does this mean for you and your career? Though the LEED framework has gained popularity very quickly over the last few years, some people still believe that, to design a building according to LEED standards is no different than making good design decisions.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) framework is a globally recognized sustainability framework, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to address climate change and promote healthier, more efficient and cost-saving buildings. To have a LEED accreditation to your name can mean a lot to your clients, developers and the final impact of the buildings you design.
Whether you are an Architect, Engineer, Urban Planner or Interior Designer – here are 7 reasons why becoming Leed AP Certified can be advantageous for you, your career and the built environment.
1. Increase in salary
With more in-demand qualifications behind you name, you are in a position to negotiate better pay for your work. Research shows that experts in Green Building design earn comparably more than those without the qualifications. This is because of their extended knowledge and demonstrated willingness to design for energy efficiency and advance sustainable futures. Get the full rundown on the expected salary and career growth of a Green Building Expert here.
2. Increase in demand for Becoming LEED AP Certified
With an increase in demand for LEED certified buildings comes an increase in demand for becoming Leed AP Certified .This means more job opportunities and advancement for you. More than 203,000 designers worldwide have been LEED certified already, with the numbers growing annually. Additionally, more and more high-profile government projects released these days require becoming LEED AP Certified for their design and construction. If you know you may be working on some of these projects, it is all the more benefit to you to become LEED certified.
3. Competitive edge
While it is possible to design a building up to LEED standards without having the GA or AP credentials to your name, it will certainly give you a competitive edge when bidding for projects. Being a LEED AP is becoming the norm these days, and the chances are higher that you might be overlooked for a project without these credentials. Additionally, LEED certification gives you and your firm credibility and assures clients that you are experienced and have the knowledge needed to design buildings to the highest, most sustainable standards expected.
4. Attract clients
When clients are looking for designers for their projects they will – more often than not – prefer to hire the most qualified and experienced professionals. Becoming LEED AP Certified shows that you are proactively engaging with the design field and have a willingness to learn and expand your knowledge base. Furthermore, while clients and developers – as well as the general population – become more and more educated on new design practices and the best way to approach a new building project, they might also deliberately decide to use only LEED certified designers for their projects in order to get the best results.
Having a LEED credential puts you at the top of the list to be approached by new clients and developers, giving you peace of mind that you will always be able to find projects to work on.
5. Become part of a global community of experts
The LEED framework is an accepted standard for green building in over 140 countries worldwide. This means that no matter where you may find yourself working on a project, you would always have a community of like-minded co-workers and designers working together on a project with a similar goal. Being able to work with designers who have the same goals and interests in green building design as you do, could not only make your job easier, but it may also open doors for you to connect, network and expand your professional contacts. You never know when this might lead to new projects, new job opportunities, or even a professional relationship that helps you grow in your career.
6. Increase the quality of your work
As previously mentioned, just because you’re a LEED-certified professional, this does not mean you will now exclusively work on projects that are set to be LEED certified. However, you still have additional knowledge that will help increase the quality of your work on other projects. You will know the best practices, learn new systems and verified strategies to inform your clients on the best ways to move forward in their specific designs. Not only will you impress your clients, but the increased quality of your work may lead to more repeat clients as well. A win all around.
7. Personal achievement
Regardless of what other professionals might say, you should still feel proud of your achievement in becoming LEED certified. The road to becoming LEED certified is not easy and takes a lot of time and effort – but once you have achieved it, you can be proud of yourself for taking the steps toward furthering your career and making a bigger difference in the built environment.
Becoming LEED AP Certified
To become a LEED certified ap, you have to study for – and pass – an exam on sustainable design practices. The exam covers topics such as material use, water efficiency and more. If you are interested in learning more about the exam process, we cover everything you need to know here.
Getting a LEED certification may seem overwhelming and expensive at first, but not to worry – here at Archiroots we offer everything you need to study for the exam and pass on your first try!
Take a look at our free 20-minute introduction to LEED GA or jump into our complete LEED Green Associate Training to become certified in just 2 weeks. There’s no reason to wait – get started on the journey to becoming a LEED certified designer today and reap the benefits of your hard work for many years to come.
