It looks like it's cheaper to re-write the exam, than do the required credit maintenance. Pitty, because even if you do all sorts of wonderful qualifications in the field of energy consulting, you have zero, because they're not recognized by the USGBC.
I've done a ITC Level 1 infra-red camera training, as well as energy simulation and they count zero.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11475 thumbs up
February 4, 2010 - 9:28 am
Jean, do you mean cheaper to "re-take" the exam, as one of the paths available to maintaining your LEED AP+ credential?
A lot of people have similar complaints right now, from what I hear. Have you been able to find any methods to obtain CEUs that would work for you? I have heard that a variety of methods including self-study or giving presentations are available. We are planning a webinar on this topic for Feb. 23rd -- stay tuned.
Jean Marais
b.i.g. Bechtold DesignBuilder Expert832 thumbs up
February 18, 2010 - 5:14 am
Yip. I do mean re-take (as writing and mouse clicking are not equivalent). If you think LEED has high expectations, you should check out the new ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) certification's ASHRAE Contiuous Education (ACE) units required. 45 units are required every three years. Several options are outlined to achive units, but to give you an Idea...1 Semester higher education gives 15 units, and a peer reviewed journal publication gives 2 units. It looks like you'd have to study full time for half of the 3 years to maintain the credential. Here, re-taking is the only realistic option. (this credential is required to certify buildings for the new Building EQ energy labling program for buildings)
Neil Rosen
Director of SustainabilityNorthwell Health
68 thumbs up
March 15, 2010 - 10:20 am
I couldn't disagree more. Continuing education is critical to keeping up with what's happening in the trade. If you think that taking the exam will help you, you must've forgotten what the exam was like. Remember, the CMP program will still exist for you even if you re-test. You will just avoid the first prescriptive program. You still need to have the 30 hours etc. As an Architect, I'm required 18 credits a year...So what, it's not a big deal..
Brenden McEneaney
Director, Northern CaliforniaCity of Santa Monica
47 thumbs up
March 17, 2010 - 2:43 pm
Neil - I don't think this is true. You can do Credential Maintenance through retesting - see page 6 of the CMP Guide. Note: you only have a 9 month window each 2 years in which to do so.
I do think the cost will be an issue, as well as the time to document (which it seems has gotten a bit easier over the last few months on the website). In my job, I will have no problem getting enough CMP hours, but it probably will be cheaper and easier for me to retest every two years.
There are ways to earn inexpensive or free hours, but only about 24 (assuming you have LEED projects you can work on). The remainder will have to be earned through paid classes. Doesn't take many of those to equal the cost of retaking the exam.
Obviously none of this speaks to the general value of continuing professional education - but it's important to figure out how we're supposed to dot the i's and cross the t's.
Another interesting implication - advanced professionals will likely take advanced classes. These are less likely to be free or inexpensive. Seems like there's a situation where the more advanced a practitioner you are, the more expensive it is to maintain your LEED credential.
Neil Rosen
Director of SustainabilityNorthwell Health
68 thumbs up
March 17, 2010 - 2:47 pm
Re-testing will work the first time to bring you up to the current level, you can't just retake the exam every two years to meet your CMP requirements...
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11475 thumbs up
February 15, 2011 - 10:41 pm
Neil, if I'm not mistaken you can retest every two years to maintain your credential. This is covered in the CMP guide.
David Hubka
Director of OperationsTranswestern Sustainability Services
527 thumbs up
February 16, 2011 - 7:41 am
Regarding the cost of CEUs:
There is an HVAC equipment manufacturer that provides free CEUs to anyone. Some are even LEED specific. After the webinar you take a short quiz online. Upon successful completion you can download a completion certificate. All their webinars have been approved by the USGBC. Currently they have (15) Free CEUs, (6) of which have been approved as LEED specific.
Anu Sumanth
Architect | LEED APHayes Group
9 thumbs up
February 16, 2011 - 4:45 pm
David, please share the link where we can find the webinars you mentioned.
Thanks.
David Hubka
Director of OperationsTranswestern Sustainability Services
527 thumbs up
February 17, 2011 - 1:39 pm
Here's the link Anu:
http://www.trane.com/COMMERCIAL/ContinuingEducation/ContinuingEducation....
Anu Sumanth
Architect | LEED APHayes Group
9 thumbs up
February 17, 2011 - 3:29 pm
Thanks David..a very useful link.