Teams can earn one point under this credit. There are two standard paths to earning an innovation point:
Innovation
Achieve significant, measurable environmental benefits using a strategy that isn’t currently addressed in the rating system. This includes the prerequisites, base points, and strategies contributing to the scores in the five performance categories. Remember that a single sustainable technology or a program that addresses a single sustainability issue will not be accepted. The LEED Innovation Catalog includes examples of innovation strategies.
Pilot Credit
Achieve a credit from the official LEED Pilot Credit Library for LEED v4.1 EBOM projects. Remember that any time you pursue a pilot credit your team must complete the “General Pilot Documentation Requirements” as well, which includes registering for the pilot credit with USGBC, participating in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum, and completing the USGBC feedback survey.
A LEED AP with specialty is required
To earn this credit a member of your team must be a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) with the O+M specialty designation. This is required regardless of which path you choose.
The LEED certification process relies on a detailed understanding of LEED, so having a LEED AP O+M onboard benefits the project and can save significant time and effort. LEED APs are trained to spot the synergies that occur between different sustainability strategies and their respective LEED credits.
The LEED AP O+M be a "principal participant of the project team," but the exact definition of what that means is up for interpretation. Ideally the LEED AP O+M would be closely involved in the project through its duration, but USGBC does not have a history of scrutinizing the level of LEED AP involvement.
What about LEED Green Associates?
LEED Green Associates, sometimes abbreviated LEED GA, have a solid understanding of green building principals and best practices. However, individuals with the LEED Green Associate credential only do not meet the credit requirements.
Earning the LEED AP with specialty
To earn the LEED AP O+M credential you must pass both the LEED Green Associate exam and the LEED AP O+M specialty exam. The LEED Green Associate credential is the first step for all candidates looking to earn a LEED specialty credential. Legacy LEED APs must pass the LEED Green Associate exam, and even LEED APs that have a specialty but never took the LEED Green Associate exam must now pass the Green Associate exam to add another specialty.
The Green Associate and specialty exams can be taken back-to-back or at different times. Compared to the Green Associate exam, the LEED AP specialty exam dives deeper into the details a particular LEED rating system and covers facilitation of the certification process. It can help to have experience working on a LEED project prior to taking the specialty exam, but it’s not a requirement (like it was under LEED 2009).
Getting started with credentialing
USGBC’s website is a good place to start learning about the LEED Green Associate and LEED specialty exams. The LEED AP Candidate Handbook is an essential resource that’s available on the website, along with free exam resources and study materials.
In addition, LEEDuser offers and recommends the following exam resource:
What’s New in LEED v4.1
- Teams can earn up to one point for this credit, a decrease from the 5 points available in LEED v4.
- The Exemplary Performance option has been eliminated.
- A LEED AP (with O+M specialty) project team member is now required to earn this credit.
Should I upgrade?
This credit has become harder to achieve and earns fewer points. Only one point is offered in v4.1 compared to up to five points in v4.1. And remember, Exemplary Performance has been eliminated in the v4.1 rating system.