FAQ
LEED Certification
Q: What is LEED?
A: LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000 through a consensus based process, LEED serves as a tool for buildings of all types and sizes. LEED certification offers third party validation of a project’s green features and verifies that the building is operating exactly the way it was designed to.
Q: What are the benefits of LEED certification?
A: LEED certification is third-party validation of a building’s performance. LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance. They cost less to operate and maintain; are energy- and water-efficient; have higher lease-up rates than conventional buildings in their markets; are healthier and safer for occupants; and are a physical demonstration of the values of the organizations that own and occupy them.
Q: Does green building cost more?
A: No, green buildings do not have to cost a penny more. LEED certified projects to date demonstrate that you can achieve LEED certification and reap its many benefits with a common-sense approach to design with no additional dollars. Depending on your green building strategy and the level of certification your project is targeting, there may be mid- and long-term ROI associated with additional green features that merits an investment in first costs.
View more information on the cost analysis of LEED here.
Q: How does LEED work?
A: LEED is a point based system where building projects earn LEED points for satisfying specific green building criteria. Within each of the seven LEED credit categories, projects must satisfy particular prerequisites and earn points. The five categories include Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). An additional category, Innovation in Design (ID), addresses sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five environmental categories. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives. LEED certification is available in four progressive levels according to the following scale:
There are 100 base points; 6 possible Innovation in Design and 4 Regional Priority points.
- Certified 40-49 points
- Silver 50-59 points
- Gold 60-79 points
- Platinum 80 points and above
Q: Can products be certified under LEED?
A: No, LEED applies to green building projects. Individual products can contribute to points under the rating system; LEED criteria are performance-based. In attempting to meet these requirements, LEED practitioners identify products that have desired attributes. However, some LEED criteria do require specific product data as a part of a successful submittal.
LEED Professional Accreditation
Q: How do I become a LEED Accredited Professional?
A: Visit the LEED AP section of our website for more information!
Q: What’s new about the tiered credentials?
A: There are three significant changes with the tiered credentials:
- There will be three tiers of excellence for a professional to pursue. This provides a mechanism to recognize knowledge and expertise beyond a basic understanding of green building practices. Tiered credentials allow the marketplace to distinguish among practitioners with basic, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge.
- There are eligibility requirements for all tiered credentials.
- There are credentialing maintenance requirements for all tiered credentials. As sustainable technologies advance and the LEED Rating Systems evolve, LEED credentialing needs a mechanism to ensure that LEED professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices.
Q: What are the three tiered credentials?
A: Tier I
LEED Green Associate: The Green Associate credential attests to basic knowledge and skill in understanding and supporting green design, construction, and operations. There are no specialties within the LEED Green Associate tier.
Tier II
LEED AP: The LEED AP with specialty credential signifies an advanced depth of knowledge in green building practices and specialization in a particular LEED Rating System:
- Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
- Operations + Maintenance (O+M)
- Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)
- Homes
- Neighborhood Development (ND)
Tier III
LEED Fellow: Although the application process is currently under development, this tier will distinguish an elite class of leading professionals. Fellows contribute to the standards of practice and body of knowledge for achieving continuous improvement in the green building field. View more information about GBCI’s credentialing tiers.
Membership
Q: What are the benefits of becoming a member of the James River Green Building Council?
A: Members receive access and discounts to numerous educational activities, from LEED workshops to luncheon programs to builcing tours. By becoming a member, you can also find great networking opportunities – our membership is a diverse group of contractors, product developers, architects, and other professionals interested in green building.
JRGBC offers a unique opportunity to advocate for green building initiatives right here in the Central Virginia area. By becoming a member, you are helping to support our efforts in the Commonwealth to green our built environment. Your support as a member helps us to accomplish our mission!
Q: How do I become a member of the James River Green Building Council?
A: Any individual with an expertise or interest in green building can become a member of JRGBC. Membership is available at three levels:
- Chapter Membership- USGBC Discount is available to individuals whose company is a USGBC member company. Chapter members receive both USGBC and JRGBC benefits for $70.
- Regular Chapter Membership provides all the same local benefits as Chapter Membership-USGBC Discount, but is available to individuals not from USGBC-members companies for $100.
- Students in an accredited degree programs receive discounted membership to JRGBC for $25.
To read more and become a member today, simply follow this link.
Q: Can my company become a member of JRGBC?
A: No. While the USGBC is supported by member companies, JRGBC membership is individual-based. However, there are ways your organization can get involved locally.
JRGBC is looking for annual sponsors and event sponsors. Becoming a sponsor helps further the mission of bringing green building to Central Virginia, in addition to providing benefits for your employees and great visibility for your organization!
Additionally, if your company is a USGBC member, your employees can get access to discounted JRGBC memberships, LEED workshops and other green building resources.
