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LEED AP Legacy

LEED AP Legacy Overview by Green Education Services

With the launch of LEED v3 (LEED 2009) in April of 2009, a new three-tiered credentialing system was introduced as well, therefore affecting existing LEED APs. If you sat for a LEED AP exam prior to the new versions, you are considered a LEED AP without Specialty at this time. You can keep this credential or you can opt in the new credentialing program. If you opt in, you have the choice whether to retest OR enroll in the prescriptive credential maintenance program.

Should you wish to participate in the CMP, the following chart details how to comply:

LEED AP Legacy LEED AP+ Path 1:
Default Specialization		 LEED AP+ Path 2:
Altered Specialization

As an existing LEED AP, you need not do a thing and you will still maintain your credential as a LEED AP. Your designation would remain the same - LEED AP.

This would mean you are not opting into the new AP+ program. Should you not enroll in the CMP program and become a LEED AP+ before Fall of 2011, and should you wish to become a LEED AP+ at a later time, you will need to take the LEED Green Associate and the LEED AP+ exam of your choice, where as now you could opt in and meet the credentialing maintenance requirements by completing CEU courses.

There are default specializations available for those who tested under LEED-NC, EB or CI.
- LEED-NC » LEED AP BD+C
- LEED-EB » LEED AP O+M
- LEED-CI » LEED AP ID+C

You have two options to comply: either retest under the new AP+ designation of your choice or by completing 30 units of CEUs. In either case, it is required that you agree to the disciplinary policy of LEED 2009, including 30 units of CEUs every 2 years thereafter. Enrollment in the CMP (Credentialing Maintenance Program) MUST occur before June 2011. Your designation would change to LEED AP BD+C, O+M or ID+C.

All existing LEED APs have the option of re-testing for their default specialization or any of the others. A LEED AP may have more than one specific field, but they must take each exam in order to gain the accreditation. While re-testing used to be unlimited, candidates are allowed only 3 testing attempts per year. Your designation would change to LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, Homes, etc.

Should you wish to transition to a LEED AP+, the following chart details how you can complete the required CEUs:

Category Prescriptive credential maintenance requirements  
  for the first two years
  LEED AP BD+C   LEED AP ID+C   LEED AP O+M
  I. Project Site Factors   4 CE hours   1 CE hour   3 CE hours
II. Water Management 3 CE Hours 3 CE Hours 4 CE Hours
III. Project Systems and Energy Impacts 6 CE Hours 6 CE Hours 6 CE Hours
IV. Acquisition, Installation and Management of Project
  Materials		 3 CE Hours 5 CE Hours 4 CE Hours
V. Improvements to the Indoor Environment 5 CE Hours 6 CE Hours 4 CE Hours
VI. Stakeholder Involvement in Innovation 2 CE Hours 1 CE Hour 2 CE Hours
VII. Project Surrounding and Public Outreach 1 CE Hour 2 CE Hours 1 CE Hour

Note: Completing only the minimum hours listed above is NOT enough to complete the required continuing education hours for CMP compliance. A minimum of 30 hours of continuing education is required whereas the minimum hours listed amount to only 24 CE hours. Six (6) additional CE hours from any of the categories is required in order to comply.

The following are compliant delivery methods in which to earn CEUs in reference to the above listed categories:

  1. Professional development/continuing education courses
  2. Live presentations
  3. Self-study programs
  4. College and university courses
  5. Certificates, professional licenses, and credentials
  6. Committee and volunteer work
  7. Authorship
  8. LEED project participation

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