What is LEED?

LEED refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a third-party certification, developed by the US Green Building Council to rate high-performance buildings and neighbourhoods. 

How do I become a LEED professional?

The IGBC provide an LEED Green Associate Exam preparation course to aspiring LEED professionals. 

This course is in association with Meehan Green and aims to support you to get the Green Associate credential. 

The course will support you to 

• Understand of the LEED rating systems and it’s application in sustainable building design and construction 

• Apply knowledge of LEED credits under each category, and understand the LEED certification process 

• Understand the criteria for achieving points in each credit category: site selection, water efficiency, energy performance, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation 

• Understand how to optimize LEED project performance in the Irish context 
• Understand the LEED GA Exam format and structure and steps needed to register 

The training costs €200 for IGBC members and €300 for non-IGBC members.

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) administers the LEED professional credentials.  

How does LEED certification work?

To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points through prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification:  

Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points) 

LEED in Ireland

There are hundreds of LEED-certified buildings in Ireland, you can see examples here  

The certification of a LEED building requires following the LEED rating system, which is administered by LEED professionals with specific credentials.   

LEED Green Associate 

The LEED Green Associate credential is a first step, entry-level credential. The target groups is architects, engineers, contractors and tradespeople, as well as non specialists working in the sustainable construction sector. 

This credential is attained by passing a 2-hour multiple choice exam. There are no eligibility requirements, but LEED strongly advises exam-writers to have some familiarity with green building, either through education and training, work or volunteer experiences. 

The IGBC offers a LEED GA Exam Prep course. Get in touch with Anne to learn more.

LEED AP 

This next level of credential is for professionals like engineers and architects who need more advanced and specific knowledge of LEED and have hands-on experience working on a LEED project.  

Maintaining LEED credential

LEED GAs and LEED APs need to maintain their certification through  Continuing Education hours. LEED Green Associates must earn a minimum of 15 CE hours out of which 3 CE hours need to be LEED-specific. The remaining 12 CE hours can be either general or LEED-specific CE hours. More info here 

These hours can be earned through Education courses and Project participation. More info here