LEED is an acronym that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
AP stands for Accredited Professional.
LEED AP stands for an accreditation that gives people who work in the building industry more ways to learn and opens doors to new business opportunities.
What LEED AP stands for? Well, first of all LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and AP stands for Accredited Professional. It is a certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to recognize professionals who meet high standards of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to sustainable design and construction.
Mainly, there are two levels: LEED Green Associate and LEED AP with Specialty. For professionals to move up from one level to the next, they must show that they know how to use one of the LEED rating systems.
The title demonstrates that a designer or builder understands how to achieve the LEED certification on a project, showcasing that green buildings are more than just a trend.
Worth it to get leed ap bd c credential ?
It is becoming increasingly important for today’s architects and engineers to have a solid understanding of the LEED certification process in order to participate in the green building movement. Architects and engineers can get the LEED AP title, which proves that they know how to lead a project through the LEED certification process and shows that they are experts in their field.
But the real question is, would such a title mean anything, or is it just another certification that promises growth and future changes to make professionals seem more credible? What LEED AP stands for really?
Obtaining a LEED certification may help your resume stand out in a world that is becoming more concerned about the influence that the built environment has, and it can also provide you with a better understanding of green construction, which is information that you can use to combat climate change.
What LEED AP stands for? as a certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is what LEED stands for in its full name. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the parent organization of the rating system, asserts that it is the most generally recognized and used all over the world. It investigates the most important design questions (like the positioning of a building site), in addition to the most minute design details (such as what the carpet fibers in the lobby are made of).
In order for building projects to be eligible for the LEED certification, they must adhere to the stringent standards and submit the necessary paperwork for one of the four levels of LEED v4.1 certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. Plaques from LEED show that a building is healthier and less harmful to the environment, both for the people who live there and for people who pass by.
What LEED AP stands for? as an accreditation
What LEED AP stands for when talking about the people. The professionals who are considered to be authorities on the LEED grading system are awarded the LEED title of LEED AP, which stands for LEED Accredited Professional.
Since 2009, the standards for professionals seeking LEED accreditation have become much more stringent. Back in the day, before 2009, all that was required to obtain a LEED AP designation was to take a two-hour, multiple-choice exam. If you were successful in passing the test, you were granted the title and were not required to complete any more schooling.
After 2009, obtaining and maintaining that certificate got more challenging, which contributed to an increased level of market credibility for LEED accreditation. Since then, what LEED AP stands for as an accreditation has been separated into two distinct categories. The first credential is the LEED Green Associate credential, which demonstrates broad understanding of LEED certification processes but does not require any kind of technical engagement or experience. The LEED AP is a specialty-related certification that is given to people who can show that they know a lot about LEED and have technical skills in one of the following five areas:
- BD+C
- O+M
- ID+C
- ND
- Homes
Earning the LEED AP doesn’t have to be hard, it just needs guidance. Don’t waste your time, money, and effort with reference books and study guides that are not really guides but thick complicated books. Get yourself ready, by following a trainer so you don’t fail a non-refundable exam.
It’s doable to go through the materials on your own, it’s not rocket science, it’s just not ideal. Why spend more time and money on thick reference books that are tailored for sustainability consultants to refer to when certifying a project. They include much more information than you actually need for the exam.
It is advisable for exam preparation to go watch broken down video content courses and trainings that are the same cost as study guides and take a fraction of the time to become accredited and can even be guaranteed!
Now, after you learn the material in whatever way you choose. You book an appointment on USGBC and then take the test at any approved Prometric center.
Logging into one’s USGBC user account allows a candidate to both register and pay for the exam, which must be done before the applicant is allowed to take the exam. The applicant has a full year from the time they send in their registration information to set up and take the test. If this time limit is exceeded, the person will be required to reregister for the test and pay the fee once again. The current costs of taking the LEED Green Associate test are $100 for students, $200 for USGBC members, and $250 for nonmembers. After payment, you get a USGBC ID that you will use to schedule a day and time on prometric.
The LEED AP With Specialty Candidate Handbook states that in order for a professional to be qualified to take the exam, they must first possess the LEED Green Associate certification. Before attempting the LEED AP with Specialty test, it is strongly advised that candidates have previous experience working on a LEED-certified project. The registration procedures for the LEED Green Associate Exam and the LEED Accredited Professional with Specialty Exam are exactly the same. The examination price is now $250 for those who are members of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), $350 for those who are not members, and there is no charge for veterans.
Maintaining the LEED credential
Professionals with the LEED Green Associate are required to submit 15 CE hours (continuing education) every 2 years or the title will expire and might need to redo the test all over. Whereas the AP holder needs to provide 30 CE hours every 2 years. You can know more about this in detail in the free LEED exam preparation guide.
Education, project experience, authoring, and volunteer work in the fields of green construction, health, and wellness as well as resilience and the circular economy may all count toward the completion of continuing education hours.
What LEED AP stands for exactly? What does it imply for someone to have the letters LEED AP after their name? It demonstrates, that you have a good understanding of environmental and energy design principles capable of streamlining a LEED project certification.
If your ready to gain green building knowledge and start the process of becoming an environmentally responsible builder than check out our exam prep courses and earn the LEED titles. If your still not a Green Associate then check out the preparation guide and if you are already a Green Associate then you might be interested in earning the AP title.
