Comments on: LEED Accreditation – Fad or Necessity?

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:55:22 +0000

My LEED AP certificate clearly states that the GBCI *certifies* me as a LEED AP.

By: steve

steve — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:56:28 +0000

I think it’s terrible that GBCI charged $400 to take the v2.2 test. The new version is even more expensive. It’s legalized extortion.

By: Bill Leard

Bill Leard — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:31:38 +0000

Barry,

Congratulations on passing. I, too, just passed the exam (06/27). One question: Since you are not an architect or an engineer, what are you planning on doing with your Leed AP status? I myself am not an architect, engineer, contractor, or planner. All I have is a drafting and surveying background, and I just completed a 3 semester, non thesis Masters of Science in Architecture degree from a major university (don’t let the name fool you; it is basically a design degree, and in no way qualifies me to be a licensed architect). A teacher in that program talked me into taking the exam. Now I am trying to figure out what to do with my LEED Accreditation, because it seems every job I have googled dealing with LEED is for those with AP status AND some type of license (architects, engineers, etc.).

Not trying to be nosy, just curious..

By: richa

richa — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:48:06 +0000

I can relate most to VICTOR’s comments. I studied LEED to be more aware and to educate myself so I can implement the tools in my designs. Since everyone was heading for becoming LEED-AP, I too decided to sit for the test. What is most unfair, is some candidates get harder tests v.s. others. I happen to get an extremelly hard one and got a 169 — but did pass all the 4 parts. I studied for 3 months and immersed myself for the last 3 weeks. On greenexamprep tests I was scoring 83 to 90%, so certainly felt very ready. I know people who don’t know as much as I know who passed with flying colors ONLY because they got an easier test.

Please remember, the ONE advantage a LEED-AP has, is that if they are involved you get ‘1′ ID point. A non LEED-AP can certify the buildings too infact could be the administrators for the project. Its upseting that we educated professionals are feeding into GBCI’s frenzy to make money over a fad…….. To ask us to memorize a reference book & depending on luck get handed an easier or harder test is hardly a true dipiction of the candidate’s knowledge.

By: hintonhumancapital

hintonhumancapital — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:47:03 +0000

As the emphasis on sustainabilty increases, LEED-AP will evolve and become organized. The certification is a way for the industry to standardize building design and certification practices and help the clients shop for services.

By: Barry Colwell

Barry Colwell — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:58:15 +0000

Just passed the test today,on the last day for the old process, 6/30. I’m not an architect nor an engineer – and I didn’t read the entire reference guide – just scanned it. I DID however spend the last two weekends hard core studying, using the flashcards recommended, a notebook from someone else’s LEED review course, and a sample test. That’s it. It is DOABLE!

By: Debra Jacobs

Debra Jacobs — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:10:07 +0000

I became LEED accredited for many reasons. 1) I feel that one should attain any certification that would be of use in what they do. As someone who works for a public agency in a very well-educated community, I need to have all the credibility that I can get my hands on. 2) I’ve been applying green building concepts to my work long before it became fashionable. It seemed only logical to demonstrate that I understand what that means. 3) It is a nationally recognized credential, so it is useful when applying for jobs in other states. 4) As a lifelong learner, I want to know about anything that will allow me to be a better person, especially when that will allow me to be better at my job. 5)Now that subspecialties and academic rigor are being applied to the credential, it will have more value and be more of a challenge to maintain. I plan to go for at least 2 of the subcategories. I’ve learned a lot from the first exam effort. (I must agree with the previous comments about the present exam contents.) I want to find out what I can learn from the subcategories and the required continuing education.

By: John Poole

John Poole — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:27:56 +0000

I just passed the LEED AP test, and I agree that the system needs to be better organized. But the good news is that they are doing this with a weighted credit system. LEED is by far the leader in sustainable building and I think they will continue to be with their commitment to improvement.

By: victor

victor — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:49:36 +0000

I am a LEED AP, recently passed the exam. My biggest complaint about the accreditation process is that it is totally absurd an arbitrary. A candidate is to memorize an entire manual and hope that he can remember it all during the exam. Any individual can reference a manual or a set of standards without having to memorize it verbatim. The manual is poorly written with minimal correlation between credits and prerequisites. It is up to the candidate to make the connections. I am an Architect, and can see how the entire program is geared towards Architects and MEP engineers. If the manuals and documentation were properly and intelligently presented, anyone could pass the exam. The focus on memorization implies that there is nothing to think about or analize, therefore exposing the weakness of the entire program. If you think about it, LEED AP is a fabricated accreditation. It is not a license or diploma. It is voluntary. But people fall for the latest fad and assume it is the law. When I started studying LEED, my interest was in learning usefull environmental techniques that I could use in my practice. What I found was an inane amount of information presented in a totally disorganized fashion, requiring a significant amount of time to decifer.

By: John Hennessy

John Hennessy — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:31:53 +0000

LEED is hear to stay. For a period of time it could be a differentiating factor when trying to secure work. Now it is a need to have for a project.

It will never carry the same weight as a PE, AIA, etc as these are governmental certifications about competence and are licenses to practice. LEED is not a license to practive