As the green industry matures and prospers, a multitude of new career opportunities will surface for those with green training and knowledge. Peter Templeton, president of the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), recognizes that LEED expertise offers these new skills, credentials and opportunities for veterans.

At a time when many industries are declining, the green movement has emerged as the quintessential hope for a new and improved environment, economy and future. Now is the time to enhance one’s career, or learn a new trade, by positioning oneself as being on the cutting edge of the green movement.

The VA says it will cover up to $2,000 in exam fees. As the LEED exams range from $100-450, depending on type of test and whether or not an applicant is a USGBC member, it appears as though the VA will cover the exam cost of a LEED AP exam, in addition to a LEED Green Associate exam, which is the mandatory first step.

To qualify for reimbursement, veterans must apply directly to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. This reimbursement comes from a portion of one’s GI Bill.

The GI Bill cannot reimburse one for preparation prior to an exam, however, Everblue will. Starting January 1, 2010, Everblue will reserve two complimentary seats for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans at each of its LEED Green Associate exam prep courses. With the help of Everblue and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, one may enroll in an exam prep course, take more than one LEED exam and attain more than one green credential at no cost.

The GI Bill indicates that one may receive benefits to retake a test he or she did not pass. Also, one may receive benefits to retake a test for recertification or to retain a license one already has.

LEED expertise increases one’s marketability to potential employers. Although attaining a LEED credential can be beneficial for one’s career, this benefit does not compare to the invaluable acknowledgment of support from third-party organizations. It becomes clear that Everblue, as well as the Green Building Certification Institute, truly support America’s veterans and earnestly want to see them succeed.

For more information on GI Bill certification reimbursement, please see the VA Benefits website.

In 2008, the green building market size grew from an estimated 15 percent to 20 percent of new construction starts by value — an amount that’s equivalent to a $36 billion to $49 billion marketplace. It’s enough to make you wonder how green building works and how you can become part of it, right?

Now that growth has occurred, the study noted, against a backdrop of turmoil in the overall construction market, which fell 7 percent in 2007, 14 percent in 2008 and is projected to sustain a 17 drop this year.

Nevertheless, the green building market is expected to grow further, expanding to as much as $140 billion by 2013, the study said. The green commercial and institutional market share is projected to increase from a $24 to $29-billion marketplace in 2008 to $56 billion to $70 billion based on new starts by value.

In its broader findings, the study concluded that:

• Sustainability will continue to become part of standard corporate practice. As such, firms have a short window of engagement before they will lose first-mover advantage.

• At some level, sustainability is insulated from economic downturns—most likely due to the innovation it can spur. Firms should capitalize on the advantages of sustainability in order to position themselves to reap the benefits when the economy rebounds.

• Increased regulation is likely to occur. Firms should look for opportunities to position themselves ahead of regulation. Those that do will be able to compete in more markets and may also gain incentives offered to early adopters.

• Public reporting and transparency is becoming routine. Firms should take stock of their current baselines in order to be able to report accurately their performance and set goals and metrics for improvement. Customers will start to expect sustainability reports.

• Larger corporations are embracing sustainability more enthusiastically and engaging in more benchmarking activities. As a result, these large firms will influence the supply chain by requiring their vendors to provide them with sustainability and environmental reporting information. Smaller firms and service providers should establish their energy use, carbon emissions and other environmental and sustainability metrics in expectation of these requirements.

If you want to get a better understanding of how green building works, you should check out our LEED Green Associate Exam Prep. That class talks more about the factors driving sustainability as well as building strategies that can help you save energy and be more resilient.

The LEED system is attractive and applicable to anyone with an interest in sustainability, making it the perfect time to become LEED accredited.

Here’s a list of ten reasons why you should become LEED accredited:

1. LEED has instant name recognition. Upon becoming accredited, you join a growing group of over 100,000 professionals worldwide who have become LEED-APs. The popularity of LEED with clients and professionals alike means that no one will wonder what that acronym after your name means. They’ll know and respect it.

2. You’ll have a needed skill set to work on LEED projects. Having taken the exam, you will have a valuable base of knowledge that can help you qualify for new job opportunities. If you take a class, you’ll also gain a new network of other LEED APs to draw upon.

3. The green economy is growing fast. Your LEED AP credential will help you stand out from the competition for projects in a tough market, especially in this rapidly expanding new sector of the economy. If you are out of work or seeking a change of direction, getting LEED-accredited will help you take the next step.

4. You’ll know how to save your clients’ money. More and more clients, of all types, are choosing to apply for LEED certification as they realize the kind of impact that LEED certification can have on their project’s bottom line. You’ll be able to give the valuable input a client needs.

5. Your actions will benefit the environment. With the growing concern and attention towards the environment, wouldn’t it be nice to be able do your part? Knowing the LEED certification system, and having a LEED accreditation, will allow you to do that for a living.

6. LEED has become an industry standard. Many employers in the building industry expect job candidates to have LEED certification. It is no longer an exception; it is the norm.

7. LEED will play a part in transforming your career. By positioning yourself to being educated on sustainability, you are giving yourself a leg up on contributing to your own area of expertise. LEED is being discovered by real estate professionals, lawyers, and others who find that adding it to their repertoire is taking their careers in new directions.

8. LEED’s use continues to spread. The listing of cities nationwide requiring LEED on new construction continues to grow. That means that your accreditation could be a key to participating in important projects in your area. Local governments will be receptive to your accreditation as they look for leaders who can help them go green.

9. As a system, LEED continues to evolve. The introduction of LEED version 4 has helped the system become more responsive to local conditions, and new education requirements will help keep your knowledge up to date. Getting accredited now opens the door to participating in a growing, international dialogue about sustainability!

10. Your employer may pay for you to take the exam. Recognizing the value of a LEED-trained workforce, many public authorities and companies in the building industry will pay for the course, exam and accreditation fees for their employees. In other words: your boss will approve, and it might be free!

Are you ready to advance your career as a LEED Green Associate? Start today!

LEED Online is a rating system selector. It manages project details and shows how common details of your project fit into various credits. It’s a great way to plan and pursue LEED certification, keeping track of which credits were pursued and how many points were earned.

Why do we list LEED Online as the “second best” resource? Because the first best resource is a knowledgeable person on staff who has earned a LEED credential!

But seriously, the two work together. A LEED Accredited Professional is the person how is physically managing the LEED building project, whereas LEED Online is the software program that manages all the details of the project.

Here are some other features of the software:

Register today for an Everblue LEED course and learn more about the LEED certification process! We’ll teach you all about the LEED credits so that you can become the human rating system selector. Whether you rely on the software or not, it’s advantageous for anyone working on a LEED project to thoroughly understand all of the credits.

Over the last few months, there has been much confusion regarding not only LEED in general, but the transition from LEED v2.2 to LEED 3.0. Here is a quick summation, or clarification, of some of these commonly mistaken LEED terms:

1. LEED vs. LEEDs: Leeds is a city in England, while LEED is a rating system used to distinguish high-performing, sustainable buildings.

2. Certification vs. Accreditation: Buildings and projects earn LEED certification, while people become LEED Accredited Professionals (AP).

3. LEED Certified vs. Silver vs. Gold vs. Platinum: There are four levels for achieving LEED certification. LEED Accredited Professionals must set a goal for a specific LEED certification level and must abide by the appropriate guidelines to achieve points. The point ranges for each level are as follows: LEED Certified 40-49, LEED Silver 50-59, LEED Gold 60-79, and LEED Platinum 80-100. This is before achieving the Innovation in Design credits and the ten points they can earn you:

IDc 1.1 – 1.5: 5 points

IDc2 LEED AP: 1 point

Regional Priority Credits: 4 points max

4. USGBC vs. GBCI: In the beginning, there was only the USGBC. Now, the USGBC has split and become two separate organizations: the USGBC and the GBCI. The USGBC developed the LEED Rating System and now hosts an online membership directory of all LEED APs. The GBCI provides third-party project certification and professional credentials, recognizing excellence in green building performance and practice. 

5. Legacy LEED AP vs. LEED AP Specialty: A Legacy LEED AP is someone who passed any version of the LEED AP exam prior to June 30, 2009. One who has earned the designation of LEED AP Specialty has taken and passed the LEED v3 exam. This person has an enhanced specialty in one of five areas.

6. LEED Green Associate vs. LEED AP Specialty: The LEED Green Associate is the newest LEED credential and the required first step before taking the LEED AP Specialty exam. The GBCI has created the LEED Green credential to denote basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations. The second course and exam is the LEED AP, offered in five different specialties that denote prolific knowledge of green building.

Learn more about these LEED terms and concepts during one of our LEED Exam Prep courses! 

We’re going to cover the costs of LEED certification and LEED accreditation here.

LEED Certification is a term that’s often confused for LEED Accreditation. LEED Certification refers to high-performance green buildings, whereas LEED Accreditation refers to the people who have shown proficiency on the LEED standards. 

Cost of LEED Certification – Buildings

The costs of LEED certification depend on a project’s rating system and size. 

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to list the most common price ranges so you can get a general idea of what to expect. 

According to the USGBC, the costs of LEED certification break down as follows:

• Project registration: $1,500
• Precertification: $5,000
• Certification review: Ranges from $3,400 to $33,000 depending on project gross floor area

There may be extra costs, specific to expedited reviews, credit appeals, formal inquiries, and/or hiring a sustainability consultant.

Also, a LEED project owner or administrator can receive a discount for being a USGBC member.

If you’re new to sustainability, it’s highly recommended to work alongside a LEED consultant. They have a passion and technical understanding of the LEED certification requirements that will ensure that you meet your goals on time and within budget.

Cost of LEED Accreditation – People

The total cost of earning a LEED accreditation can vary because prices of study materials vary by provider, and the U.S. Green Building Council (who manages LEED) offers discounts for eligible groups of people on the LEED credentialing exam.

Most people will end up spending between $650-$1000 after paying for training, study aids, and the exam itself. 

And that’s just for the LEED Green Associate level. That does not take into account extra efforts to earn a more advanced LEED credential, which would ultimately require more training and another exam fee.

If you’re looking for more information on total costs to earn a LEED professional credential, see our post on LEED GA Exam Pricing to see if you’re eligible for discounts.

Why LEED is Worth It

Although there are upfront costs of LEED Certification, you’ll find that the monetary and health benefits make up for it.

Owners of commercial buildings may be able to charge higher rents based on their building’s status. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) studied the financial performance of “green” office buildings in the United States, finding that a commercial building with an environmental certification will rent for about three percent more per square foot with the difference in effective rent estimated at about six percent per square foot. The increment to the selling price may be as much as 16 percent, according to the study.

Other studies have also shown benefits of LEED certification to include greater productivity among employees, more loyalty to a company that implements certification, and greater satisfaction with their job.

If you’re interested in learning more about what’s involved with getting a building certified, you should consider enrolling in a LEED training class. Regardless of whether you go on to take the LEED exam and earn a credential, it would certainly be advantageous to learn about LEED requirements if you plan on pursuing certification for a building project.

I recently came across an interesting article about tracking LEED project credits with computer software. As many LEED APs probably know, tracking LEED credits is a document-intensive process. Submittal documentation includes drawings, receipts, product spec sheets, photos, commission plans and more. Adding to the clutter, numerous project members access and edit these documents.

Project management software, especially web-based systems, act as a repository for the storage and retrieval of critical project documents. Simply upload a document into the system, then attach it to the appropriate LEED-credit log. From there, you can track the history of a document, see every change that has been made, and who made it.

This article showcases two software programs for tracking LEED credits: one called EADOC and one from the company Procore. These programs include information on what materials were used, the project location, and status of approval. They also provide a paper trail for proof of compliance.

Construction professionals also use LEED Online and Arc to keep the details of their building projects organized. In fact, Arc is a newer online database that can be applied to all building project types, not just LEED projects. There’s great value to using online project management software, whether your project is “green” or not.

Still, using software programs to track LEED credits certainly eases the certification process. It is a great way to manage achieved credits, as well as other submitted documentation.

Managing a LEED project, in general, requires a lot of attention to detail. In an effort to gain as many LEED points as possible, LEED AP professionals have to remain organized to effectively track LEED credits pursued and earned. Computer software is the best way to accomplish this task.

And yet, before you plunge into managing a LEED project, perhaps it’s best to get a basic understanding of the LEED credit requirements. You can do this after attending a LEED training course, such as LEED Green Associate. Start today!

Many people get confused by the various LEED terms and acronyms. Here is a listing of some of the LEED organizations, stakeholders, and words to know.

Organizations and Agencies that use LEED terms:

AIA American Institute of Architects

ANSI American National Standards Institute

ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers, Inc.

ASTM American Society for Testing Materials

AWEA American Wind Energy Association

CEC California Energy Commission

CFR Code Federal Regulation

CIBSE Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers

CIWMB California Integrated Waste Management Board

CRI Carpet and Rug Institute

CRS Center for Resource Solutions

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

EIA Energy Information Administration

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

FEMA U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency

FSC Forest Stewardship Council

GBCI Green Building Certification Institute

IESNA Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

IMEX Industrial Material Exchange

ISO International Organization for Standardization

NBI New Building Institute

NFRC National Fenestration Rating Council

OSWER U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response

SBIC Sustainable Building Industry Council

SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District

SMACNA Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USGBC United States Green Building Council

Abbreviations for General & LEED Terms:

A/C Air Conditioning Unit

ACH Air Change per Hour

AFV Alternative-Fueled Vehicle: i.e., hybrid-electric, electric, natural-gas, bio-diesel, and fuel-cell

AHU Air Handling Unit

BIPV Building Integrated Photovoltaics: i.e., integrated roof, spandrels, glazing, or shading devices

BMP Best Management Practice

BOD Basis of Design

CBECS Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey

CFCs Chlorofluorocarbons: ozone-depleting constituent of the most widely used HVAC refrigerants

CFM Cubic Feet per Minute

CFS Cubic Feet per Second

CxA Commissioning Agent

CDVR Corrected Design Ventilation Rate: design ventilation rate divided by the air-change effectiveness

DEC Design Energy Cost

ECB Energy Cost Budget: a method of demonstrating compliance with ASHRAE 90.1

ECMs Energy Conservation Measures, as in those tracked in support of measurement and verification

EER Energy Efficiency Rating

EMP LEED Energy Modeling Protocol to assist in documenting efficiency measures not in ECBEMS-Energy Management System

ETS Environmental Tobacco Smoke, includes that transported between spaces by ventilation systems

FTE Full Time Equivalent

GPF Gallons per Flush

GPM Gallons per Minute

GS Green Seal

GWP Global Warming Potential: rating of a gaseous substance’s contribution to greenhouse effects

HCFCs Hydrochlorofluorocarbons: alternative refrigerant type that has reduced ozone-depleting effects

HFCs Hydrofluorocarbons: alternative refrigerant with no ozone-depleting effect but some tradeoffs

HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning

HVAC&R Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigerants

IAQ Indoor Air Quality with respect to human occupancy of a building

IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality: encompasses IAQ, thermal comfort, daylighting, views, etc.

IPLV Integrated Part Load Value: chiller efficiency including part-load operation for a given duty cycle

LAV Lavatory

LCA Life-Cycle Assessment: a full accounting of a material’s “cradle-to-grave” environmental impacts

LCC Life-Cycle Cost

LCGWP Life-Cycle Global Warming Potential

LCODP Life-Cycle Ozone Depletion Potential

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LPD Lighting Power Density

Lr Refrigerant Leakage Rate

MEP Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

MERV Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value: a measure of the effectiveness of air filtration media

Mr End of Life Refrigerant

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet: provides essential information on composition, hazards, & precautions

NC New Construction

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

O&M Operations and Management

ODP Ozone Depleting Potential: rating of a gaseous substance’s ability to destroy stratospheric ozone

OPR Owner Project Requirements

OSA Outside Air

PM Particulate Matter

PMV Predicted Mean Vote

PPM Parts Per Million

RA Return Air

Rc Refrigerant Charge

REC Renewable Energy Certificate

RH Relative Humidity

SA Supply Air

SHGC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a particular glazing

SRI Solar Reflectance Index

TSS Total Suspended Solids: particles too small or light to be removed from a liquid by gravity settling

TP Total Phosphorous: phosphates, polyphosphates, and orthophosphates in stormwater

TVOC Total Volatile Organic Compounds, see VOCs

VAV Variable Air Volume: ventilation system configuration differentiated from Constant Air Volume

VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds: potentially hazardous substances omitted as a gas from certain solids/liquids.

If you want to learn about these LEED organizations and terms in greater detail, register for a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep class today!

It’s crazy to think about New York’s environmental history: Did you know that the city of Hoboken was originally an island separated from the NJ mainland? Did you know that the first European settlers in the NY area had trouble landing their ships in Manhattan because there were too many whales in the Hudson River?

That’s not really mentioned in this article, but it’s cool to think of what a city like New York might have looked like 400 years ago. To give a quick background, Henry Hudson (the inventor of the steamboat) first sailed up the Hudson River in 1609. A couple of decades later, Dutch settlers began colonizing the areas that are now Jersey City and Manhattan.

Nowadays, the entire New York metro area is one big block of concrete (which happens to be why Stormwater Control is one of LEED’s Regional Priority credits for the area), but once upon a time, it was a lush paradise with hills, streams, and wildlife (lots of it). From one day to the next, it’s very easy to forget the impact that mankind has on nature, but after taking the long view of a few centuries, it’s equally impossible for it to go unnoticed. All you have to do is take a few moments to think about and research it.

Even though the Earth has been around for a few billion years, it’s been about 100 years since any species (i.e. man) halfheartedly began considering its impact on others… if for no other reason than for our own preservation. It’s important that we reflect on the environmental history of New York, and all cities, to find ways that we can be better. Here’s to hoping 400 years from now people don’t look back and think that we royally screwed something up.

*Composite and simulation by Markely Boyer; photograph by Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis