LEED AP as integral team member

You can easily earn this point, simply by including a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) as an integral member of the project team. Since the LEED certification process relies on detailed understanding of LEED, having a LEED AP on board benefits the project and can save significant time and effort, while earning your project a point with this credit.

The LEED AP needs to be involved as a “principal participant” from the start of the project, according to the credit language.

LEED AP specialties

The LEED AP credential program was overhauled in spring 2009. Anyone who received LEED AP recognition before then is equally eligible to contribute to this credit.

One of the features of the new LEED AP system is “LEED AP+” specialties corresponding to the different LEED rating systems. For a "Design and Construction" project, a LEED AP BD+C (for “building design and construction”) should have specific design and construction knowledge and project experience, and is probably worth seeking out.

A LEED Green Associate is a lower-tier credential compared to a LEED AP and will not earn the credit.

Earning the LEED AP credential

Becoming a LEED AP will lead to some costs related to exam preparation, the exam registration fee of several hundred dollars, and any training manuals or classes. However, unlike other credits that may require capital investments, these expenses may be considered normal professional development, and will benefit this project and future projects as the individual applies their LEED and green building knowledge.

As part of the updated requirements, to be eligible to take the exam, you must have experience working on at least one LEED project within the last three years, as well as having a letter of recommendation.