Certification time

Each version of LEED will eventually sunset. For example LEED 2009 will sunset on June 30, 2021. After that date you cannot get certified under that version. You can upgrade to a newer version under an old registration however.

I am not aware of any time limit within the certification process. So if you have started it and received preliminary review responses then you have started the process and can respond whenever. Periodically we still review v2.2 projects that are still in process.

I don't recall ever seeing the specific time constraint that you are asking about, however there is language somewhere that states that the review process (preliminary review, split or combined) must occur within 2 years of occupancy.  I actually had to address this just recently for a v2009 project that completed construction but the LEED submission process had gone idle.  I was asked to wrap up the documentation and submit, but it was 4 years after occupation.  I received a comment from the reviewer (in the Project Information forms, since that is where the schedule/date info is provided), requiring an explanation for the delay past the 2 year mark.  I provided a brief history of why the preliminary submission was delayed, and this morning we received our notification of LEED Silver.  So, certification can be possible beyond that deadline, but be prepared to explain why.  It's never a good practice to let it drag on too long anyway, but sometimes it can't be helped.  Sometime delays are out of your control, like if a project goes on hold, etc.  In cases of a long delay I would probably cover my bases and reach out to GBCI to alert them of the delay.  This also provides a bit of backup if they ever question what is taking so long to wrap up the certification process - you have proof you alerted them of the delay.

Hello, Thanks so much for your answers. Quick recap to verify that my understanding is correct:

• registration does not have an expiration date except the sunset dates set here LEED Certification Deadlines | U.S. Green Building Council (usgbc.org)
• the actual certification fee can be paid, and process start, at any time after registration however the process needs to be completed within 2 years after end of construction (start of occupancy) - for example, certification can start 10 years after having paid the registration fee if construction hasn't started yet
• if one were to choose the split review process, there is no maximum timeframe between submitting the design phase credits and the construction phase credits (expect the 2 year after end of construction limit)
• if one chooses to precertify a project, precertification instead can be started at any point after registration but expires after 3 years from obtaining the precertified status
• certification can be started within or after the precertification time period

 are the above facts correct? Assuming the above is correct, if I register a project (with reasonable site boundary and GFA) for LEED BD+C can I:

1. specify at a slightly later stage which scheme i want to go for, example NC/MR or C&S or do I need to choose it at registration?
2. change the project area/site boundary?
3. change the project area after having precertified the project?
4. decide,  after having registered and pre-certified the project, not to pursue certification at all because the client agenda has changed (granted of course that I will loose my money) or is it mandatory to obtain certification after having registered or precertified a project?
5. submit the design credits despite the intention of organise construction in two phases by which, for example, I complete half the building at one point in time (both facade, MEP and fit-out) in order to start using it, then stop for a year, and then complete the other half at a later stage?

Thanks so much in advance for your help! Luisa