LEED Green Associates Need Continuing Education
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) created the credential maintenance program in 2009 when they developed the new version of the LEED Rating System. This version, affectionately called LEED v3, also created the tiered credentialing system, which nullified the LEED AP credential and essentially replaced it with LEED Green Associate and the advanced LEED AP with Specialty.
Under the old version of the LEED Rating System, LEED APs did not have to complete credential maintenance training. The GBCI has implemented continuing education requirements for LEED Green Associates and LEED APs with Specialty to keep LEED professionals knowledgeable and up-to-date on the green building industry.
LEED APs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, of which six hours must be LEED-specific and related to the specialty credential the individual holds. LEED Green Associates are only required to earn 15 continuing education hours in a two-year span, of which three hours must be LEED specific and may pertain to any of the rating systems available.
If a LEED Green Associate fails to complete the required CMP hours, his or her credential will expire at the end of the two-year period. In order to regain their credential, the individual must take the LEED Green Associate exam again.
Because LEED is a fast-changing and growing field, accredited individuals have to make an effort to stay up-to-date on policies and procedures. The GBCI implemented the LEED CMP program to ensure that the LEED Green Associate credential remains relevant and distinguished within the industry.