Those of you who follow my twitter stream know that I recently passed the exam to become accredited as a LEED Green Associate. The LEED Green Associate is a new credential, and the first level of credentialing that also includes the LEED-Accredited Professional + Specialty.
Why did I do it? I wanted to have a better understanding of the various LEED requirements and sustainability issues when working with my architect and engineering clients. Many of my A/E clients are AP certified — most before the new burdensomedetailed requirements were issued (not that I’m bitter or anything!). I, on the other hand, knew just enough about green design to be dangerous.
While I’m ready not exactly ready to go out and leap tall (green) buildings (no doubt complete with vegetated roof) in a single bound, I do have a much broader understanding of the intricacies of complying with not just Code issues but also LEED issues in mind.
So, to return to the title, should YOU get a LEED Green Associate accreditation? Yes. If you are reading here, then you probably would benefit. (Unless you StumbleUpon’d your way here, in which case, not necessarily!) If you work with architects and engineers, and certainly if you are an A/E and haven’t yet gotten green credentialing, get your Green Associate credential. You will learn about a wide cross-section of green issues, including sustainable sites (SS), water efficiency (WE), energy & atmosphere (EA), materials & resources (MR), indoor environmental quality (EQ), innovation in design (ID), and regional priority issues.
Are you interested in becoming a Green Associate? Let me know and I can share some study tips.
Or, are you already accredited with the USGBC? Under the old or new system? What has it taught you? Share in the comment section below.
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“LEED Green Associate” and the LEED Green Associate logo are trademarks owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and are awarded to individuals under license by the Green Building Certification Institute.
I have completed my Engineering with Electronics Branch after that masters with Energy System…sounds funny…currently i m working in a energy consulting firm.i m planning to give GA exam,whether it will useful for me..please guide me.
Manav: Whether or not the GA exam is helpful in your particular situation is something I cannot say. I would talk to others in your field.
Thanks for your comments!
I m currently studying for LEED GA and plan to give AP in future. Would love to learn more about the exam material.
Good luck! I highly recommend GreenStep’s program. I think they even have a 35 question free sample exam. I bought their exam book and found it well worth while.
I would like to go through that experience of attaining the LEED Green Associateship. Kindly advise.
Paschal:
Thanks for your comment. The place to start is with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which will explain requirements etc.
I’ve been considering doing it as well. Haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I’m interested in your study tips. 😉
Nathan:
Let’s talk in email and I can share what I did. I’m headed out of the country for 2 wks but let’s connect when I return.
I think going through the Green Associate process will be helpful to most construction attorneys in the future. As one who scrambled like heck to get my LEED AP (no specialty) prior to the rules change, I can say that the process was enlightening.
Lucky you to be a legacy AP!