LEED's Latest Overhaul: Itself

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In addition, the two organizations say the changes will bring the program in line with the protocols of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Certification will "become a real third-party process," says Horst.

Also being closely watched by the green building community are the coming modifications to the AP program. The changes, which will be phased in over the coming year, include introduction of a three-tiered system of credentials. The lowest tier will be LEED Green Associate. It is intended for people who want to demonstrate a commitment to green building practices but may not be directly involved in LEED projects. GBCI expects that this title will appeal to nontechnical professionals, such as marketing staff in design firms or lawyers involved in real estate development deals. The second tier will be roughly the equivalent of the current AP credential, but will include specialty tracks that correspond to the various LEED rating systems. Finally, LEED Fellow, will designate an "elite" level of expertise.

The new credentialing is a response to concerns that passage of the current multiple-choice qualifying exam requires rote memorization rather than a true understanding of green building practices and principles. "The goal is to make sure that the credentials are targeted and meaningful," says Peter Templeton, GBCI president.

Although GBCI is still developing the criteria for fellow status, it has already outlined the requirements for the first two tiers of accreditation. Earning the Green Associate credential will involve passing an exam that will cover core concepts and the key points of the LEED rating system. Qualification for the AP status will have two steps: Candidates will be required to take the first-tier exam as well as a test tailored to their chosen specialization. In addition, AP hopefuls will have to demonstrate LEED project experience. GBCI plans to institute continuing education requirements for both designations—15 hours for Associates and 30 hours for APs, biennially.

GBCI hasn't yet provided the details of what kind of courses will count, except for noting that 6 of the 30 hours will need to be "LEED specific." However, many observers expect that satisfying the requirement will be relatively painless, at least for professionals who participate in continuing education in order to maintain their licenses. "For architects and engineers, there will be overlap," predicts McKellar. "But from those [disciplines] that don't already have to complete continuing education, there will be resistance," he says.

With regard to changes to the LEED program as a whole, the reaction of seasoned LEED users has been mostly positive. Many design consultants say that the new system should not be a huge adjustment for project teams. "Obviously there will be a learning curve," says Rob Bolin, a senior vice president with mechanical engineering firm Syska Hennessy, in Chicago. "However, if people are completing LEED projects now, they will be able to continue to do so in the future," he says.

Even the recession, sources predict, should not be that much of a factor in market uptake. "The economy will hamper total construction volume," according to OWP/P's Ekman. "But it shouldn't change the percentage of projects that seek certification."

Provided by Architectural Record—The Resource for Architecture and Architects

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