1. Maintain Your LEED Credential
The following document is based on information available in 2011. Please note that
this information is subject to change based on decisions made by the USGBC and
GBCI. Check for updates at http://www.usgbc.org/ and http://www.gbci.org/.
What is the Credential Maintenance Program?
The Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) was launched in August 2009. It was
implemented so that LEED Green Associates and Accredited Professionals continue to
expand their knowledge of green building after passing the LEED exam. On a
continuing 2-year cycle, LEED GA’s and AP’s must accumulate a certain number of
Continuing Education (CE) hours.
When is the reporting period?
For LEED Green Associates and LEED AP’s who passed a specialty exam after August 3,
2009, the two-year reporting period begins on the date of the exam. For those who
passed the exam before August 3, 2009, the reporting period end date is August 2,
2011.
What are the requirements?
LEED Green Associates: LEED Green Associates must complete and report 15 CE
hours each reporting period. 3 of these hours must be LEED specific. These hours may
come from any of the 8 methods listed below (See “How to Obtain CE Hours”). There is
also a biannual $50 fee.
LEED AP's Without Specialty: For those who passed the LEED AP exam prior to
July 1, 2009, GBCI provides an enrollment window between fall 2009 and October 27,
2011. Enrollment is a one-time process through which you will earn a specialty
designation based on the exam you took. For instance, if you passed the LEED NC v2.2
exam and enroll in the LEED Credential Maintenance Program, you will earn the LEED
BD+C Specialty (the current version of NC). During this enrollment period, you must
either pass a new specialty exam OR complete prescriptive CMP requirements within a
specialty. After you earn a specialty, you will be required to maintain it every two
years.
Do I have to enroll if I do not have a specialty? Enrollment is optional. If you
choose not to enroll, there is no fee and you will continue to be listed as a LEED AP
without specialty in the LEED Professional Directory and will hold the credential in
perpetuity.

2. Why enroll? Obtaining a specialty and participating in credential maintenance will
keep you up-to-date with changes in green building technology and the LEED Rating
System. It will also allow you to market yourself using a specialty logo. There is no
telling at this point how the market will respond, but having a specialty may give you
an edge as the pool of 130,00+ LEED Green Associates and LEED AP’s continues to
grow. If you decide to get your specialty after the enrollment period has ended, you
will have to retake both portions of the exam, not just the specialty portion.
How to enroll: You may enroll through “My Credentials” on the GBCI website.
(https://ssl11.cyzap.net/gbcicertonline/login/). Select “Enroll in the LEED AP with
Specialty Credential.” The normal $50 maintenance fee is waived when you choose to
opt into a specialty for the first time.
Retesting: If you choose to become a LEED AP with specialty by retesting, you must
register for the exam prior to October 27, 2011. You will have to pay the application and
exam fees, but only the specialty exam will be required. After passing the exam, you
will still have to maintain your credentials every two years or continue to maintain
your credential through retesting (see below).
LEED AP's with Specialty
LEED AP’s must earn 30 hours (minimum of 6 must be LEED-specific) of continuing
education (CE) during the 2-year period following the date they are awarded their
credential. If requirements are not met or not reported, your credential will expire. You
will then have to retake both parts of the exam. There is a $50 fee, due within 30 days
of the end of the reporting period. Furthermore, ONLY LEED APs who enroll must
meet the specific CE minimum requirements spelled out in the chart below. The CMP
requirements for “new” APs and those who enroll after their initial 2-year reporting
period are non-prescriptive (no minimum requirements in the 7 categories below).
Specific CE Minimum Requirements for Specialties
Category
LEED AP
BD+C
LEED AP
ID+C
LEED AP
O+M
I. Project Site Factors 4 CE Hours 1 CE Hour 3 CE Hours
II. Water Management 3 CE Hours 3 CE Hours 4 CE Hours
III. Project Systems and Energy Impacts 6 CE Hours 6 CE Hours 6 CE Hours
IV. Acquisistion, , Istallation & Management of
Project materials
3 CE Hours 5 CE Hours 4 CE Hours
V. Improvements to the Indoor Environment 5 CE Hours 6 CE Hours 4 CE Hours

3. ** These minimum requirements add up to 24 hours. The additional 6 hours come
from LEED-specific CE hours. These may be earned in any category.
Can I maintain my credentials through retesting instead of earning CE
Hours?
Yes, LEED GAs and AP’s with specialty may also choose to retest instead of reporting
CE hours. LEED GAs must retake the Green Associate Exam; LEED AP’s must retake the
LEED specialty exam only. You must register for the exam between 12 months after the
start date and 3 months from the end of your reporting period (months 13-21). This
can be done on the GBCI website through “My Credentials.” You are responsible for all
standard exam fees.
What kinds of activities fulfill the requirements?
Professional Development / Continuing Education: All professional
development/continuing education courses submitted must be approved by an
Education Reviewing Body (ERB) in order to be accepted by GBCI.
• Courses or content to enhance and broaden skills and knowledge
• Includes ERB-approved courses, workshops, career training, workforce
training, etc.
• Provide documentation of course completion
• Have at least 50 minutes of instructional time
• CE hours are unlimited for attendees
• CE hours may be earned only once for attending or leading the same
instructional program
• CE hours earned as an instructor, discussion leader, speaker or panelist may not
exceed 50% of the total CE hours per 2-year reporting period
• Instructors and developers of courses may earn up to 2 additional CE hours per
course for developing content
• Earn 1 CE hour for first hour of the activity, 0.5 hours for each additional full
half hour
Live Presentations
• One-time events where content is delivered either in-person or through
broadcast technology
• Must be between 50 and 90 minutes long.
• Includes non-ERB-approved conference sessions, brown-bag lunches
(excluding product-related sessions) and employer training.
VI. Stakeholder Involvement & Innovation 2 CE Hours 1 CE Hour 2 CE Hours
VII. Project Surrounding & Public Outreach 1 CE Hour 2 CE Hours 1 CE Hour

4. • CE hours are limited to 5 per reporting period for attendees.
• CE hours earned as an instructor, discussion leader, speaker or panelist may not
exceed 50% of the total CE hours per 2-year reporting period.
• Instructors and developers of courses may earn up to 2 additional CE hours per
course for developing content.
• Earn 1 CE hour for first hour of the activity, 0.5 hours for each additional full
half hour.
Self-Study
• Independent review of material.
• Includes content delivered in webinars, books or articles, digitized lectures and
written or online exams at least 60 minutes long.
• Only LEED-specific hours must be approved by an ERB .
• Supply exact pages of material read and linkages to specific topics.
• Does not include exam prep or product-related overviews.
• CE hours are limited to 5 per reporting period.
• Earn 1 CE hour for first hour of the activity, 0.5 hours for each additional full
half hour.
College and University Courses
• Courses offered by accredited institutions that are part of a curriculum.
• Both credit and non-credit courses accepted.
• Any LEED-specific hours in this category must be approved by an ERB.
• CE hours are earned at a rate of 1 CE hour per classroom hour.
• CE hours are unlimited.
Certificates, Professional Licenses, and Credentials
• Successfully passing examinations for certificates, professional licenses or
credentials in related professions or industries.
• Does not count towards LEED-specific hours.
• Must be earned during the reporting period and are only counted when license
is initially earned.
• Earn 1 CE hour for certificates.
• Earn 3 CE hours for professional licenses and credentials.
Committee and Volunteer Work
• Participation in USGBC or GBCI Board of Directors, steering committees,
working groups, credential exam writing or job task analysis; local USGBC
chapters or other volunteer organizations that support the LEED system.
Official recorded minutes must be kept.
• Does not count towards LEED-specific hours.

5. • CE hours are limited to 4 hours per reporting period.
• Earn 2 CE hours for holding leadership position (chair, vice chair, president,
vice president or chapter advocacy program leader or serving on USGBC or
GBCI Board of Directors).
• Earn 0.5 hours per meeting for attendance.
Authorship
• Authoring published articles or books related to the Appendix A topics that
contribute to the competency of LEED professionals.
• Articles and books are automatically audited.
• Can contribute to LEED-specific hours if linkage to rating system is
demonstrated.
• Work must be published during the 2-year reporting period.
• Earn 3 CE hours for published articles.
• Earn 10 CE hours for published books.
• There is no limit on hours earned through authorship.
LEED Project Participation
• Paid or unpaid work related to credit implementation and documentation.
• Project must be registered under LEED but certification is not required.
• Earns LEED-specific hours.
• Verified through LEED-Online and/or project manager and/or client or
employer attestation.
• CE hours limited to 10 per 2-year reporting period.
• Earn 1 CE hour per LEED credit or prerequisite worked on.
• Earn 2 CE hours per project for project administrators.
How to obtain LEED-Specific CE Hours
• LEED Green Associates must earn at least 3 LEED specific hours.
• LEED AP’s with one specialty, or those opting in to the specialty program, must
earn at least 6 LEED-specific hours.
• LEED-specific hours may be earned through ERB- or GBCI-approved activities,
project participation and/or authorship.
• All ERB- and GBCI-approved approved courses are listed online at
https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/CourseCatalog.aspx.

6. • All other non LEED-specific hours are referred to as general green building
hours. GAs may earn up to 12 of these general hours, and AP’s may earn up to
24.
Can I earn CE Hours though events and trainings at your courses?
We are a USGBC Education Provider. Many of the trainings qualify for GBCI LEED-
specific CE hours. Trainings that qualify for GBCI CE say "(LEED CMP)" in the title.
Learn more at www.sustainable-performance.org.
How do I document CE Hours?
1. Go to “My Credentials” on the GBCI website (www.gbci.org)
2. Select the category to which the CMP activity applies and select “Add”
3. Enter the activity date, subcategory, delivery methods, description, details,
content type and CE hours earned
4. You may add to, delete, or print your hours at any time.
A step-by-step guide to documenting your hours is available on the GBCI website in
the CMP toolbox (http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=228).
Haven't taken the LEED exam yet? Check out our LEED Trainings and our Events
Calendar for upcoming opportunities to prepare for the LEED exam at
www.sustainable-performance.org.
Thanks to PPI for providing a 15% discount on LEED study materials for our
community. See what upcoming LEED trainings that we offer.