- Cost of Registration. The cost to register the project is $900 for USGBC members and $1,200 for non-members for all rating systems except for LEED for Neighborhood Development.
- USGBC Membership. Do note that becoming a USGBC member will bring significant cost savings throughout the LEED education, documentation and certifications process, plus help the advocacy and research of the 501c3. Membership costs vary by size and type of organization, from $300 to $5,000.
- Register with LEED Online. The registration process will take you to LEED Online Version 3, where you’ll get all set up to administer the LEED documentation and certification process. If this is your first time to the site, you’ll need your own personal information to start a user account, in addition to information about the project itself and the corporate ID number to qualify for the member pricing.
- Assign the LEED Project Administrator. If you are the individual registering the project, you will automatically become the project administrator. This can be changed down the road, although it’s easiest to have the same person be consistent throughout the life of the project.
Step 4: Assemble a knowledgeable team.
The key to any winning project is to have a highly qualified team with expertise in high performance and green building strategies that is familiar with the integrative design process and LEED.
- Consider the skill set of the design team as demonstrated by past experience and number of LEED projects already certified.
- Acquire necessary education and check out real world case studies. If this is your first exposure to LEED, learn about what it is, how it was created, and why certification is so beneficial. Further, you’ll want to:
- Purchase and read the LEED Reference Guide that corresponds with the Rating System for your building type.
- Get involved with your local USGBC Chapter.
- Attend the USGBC’s annual Greenbuild conference.
- Visit local LEED projects by checking out the list of projects on-line and arranging for a tour.
- Read, read, read.
- Take a LEED workshop(or two, or three).
Hire a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) or become one. The USGBC recognizes a distinguished professional who has knowledge of the LEED rating system through the LEED AP credential. To achieve this designation, a LEED AP must have:
- documented involvement on a registered or certified LEED project
- passed the LEED AP exam
- maintained 30 hours of continuing education (CE hours) every two years.
Having a LEED AP on the team will help to streamline the process and minimize the cost of the LEED documentation, as well as add one additional point to the overall LEED point tally.
Step 5: Assign the LEED Team Manager.
More often then not, the LEED Team Manager is also the LEED AP and the LEED Project Administrator. Sometimes the LEED Team Manager is a member of the design or construction team, or an Owner’s Representative. Other times, and preferably, the LEED Team Manager is a qualified and experienced Green Building Consultant who has experience in driving high performing teams, creating value and consulting on the larger picture relative to building design and construction.
