Recertification

Hi David,

USGBC updated the official LEED-EBOM Recertification Guidance as of April 2013, which you can download here: http://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-existing-buildings-operations-amp-ma.... It has a nice matrix that shows the data tracking requirements credit by credit.

If you're certified under EBv2.0, it might make sense to go for an initial certification under EBOMv2009 instead of doing a recertification, since the credit requirements are fairly different between the two rating system versions. You also might want to reach out to USGBC/GBCI directly to talk through your recertification options.

Thanks,
Trista

Hey Trista ... I'm in a similar scenario to David's ... if we switch rating systems, do you know if we need to let the entire 5 years pass? Given the longer performance periods, I'm leaning towards a fresh project, but would rather get started before the 5 year window closes.

Hi Jared, you can recertify as often as every 12 months, regardless of the rating system version.

I fear that recertification is coming to mean a couple things here. Since this is a second certification for the building, yes it's recertification ... but we'd rather not use GBCI's "recertification" guidelines (those with longer performance periods). Instead, I'm investigating whether I can register brand new project, as if it was the building's first certification, and thus use much shorter performance periods. Is this clear as mud now?

This is a great question. The answer seems to be evolving over time, and is actually decided on a pretty project-specific basis. My understanding is that USGBC prefers that projects use the recertification guidance and the longer performance period that goes with it. This is particularly true if your project was initially certified when the guidance was published. But if your project was certified before the guidance was released, you may be able to get permission to do another "initial" certification, without having to wait for 5 years to pass. It's not totally clear when this is allowed, however, so I strongly suggest contacting USGBC and discussing it with them directly. There's no point in trying to guess what you'll be allowed to do - talking through your specific situation with them and getting confirmation in writing that your strategy is acceptable is a good insurance policy.

Hope this helps,
Trista

Jared. Your original question was 'can we switch rating systems?’ The answer is that you will be in whatever 'Version' of LEED EB that is current the day that you register. In that case ALL the support data will need to be ‘available’ (though not uploaded to GBCI) So if the performance period ended December 2010 in version 2, then to 're-certify' the building, and registering the building today, you would be in version 3 for LEED EB. And required to supply all the data. Now as Trista points out the variations between version 2 and version 3 (jumping over version 2008) can be summed up in this short sentence. "Run as fast as possible the other way". Ok, I jest...but pick the phone up to GBCI and explain the problem. Currently there are 'pathways' to upgrades of versions available direct from GBCI including help with data sets required to fulfill the 5 year rule.
Now here's a hint. The day you receive the certification of ANY LEED EB...immediately register the building for recertification. That way, and as long as you don't hit the one day that a new version comes out, you should be registered in the SAME version that you just got the plaque for... then the re-certification problem goes away.

Just noticed that all these comments are under LEED CI heading...where of course there is no such thing as re-certification.

Perhaps Tristan would like to move these post to LEED EB heading