LEED for Building Design + Construction Exam Preparation Study Group
This study group covers the concepts and strategies of the LEED for Building Design + Construction Rating Systems and is intended for design, construction and real estate professionals, building owners, and anyone who wants to develop their knowledge in this area.  

The course will prepare students to earn the LEED for Building Design + Construction Accredited Professional (LEED AP BD+C) credential from the Green Building Certification Institute.  This exam is the second of in a two-part series of exam, the first of which is the LEED Green Associate exam.  The LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation Study Group is offered separately from this course.  

The LEED AP BD+C exam tests the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the design, construction and major renovations process, to support and encourage integrated design, and to streamline the LEED application and certification process.  Please note that though experience on a LEED project is no longer an eligibility requirement to sit for this exam, it is strongly recommended.  

Students examine case studies of LEED for Building Design + Construction certified projects, concepts of integrative design, third-party verification and the LEED administration process.
In each of the first seven Units we cover all Task Domains and Knowledge Domains in the specification sections listed by the Green Building Certification Institute as exam content areas.  The final Unit focuses on exam preparation.  

To be successful in this course and on the exam I recommend you view all the presentations, thoroughly read and understand all the readings, successfully pass each of the Unit's quizzes and engage in the discussion forums with your fellow students and me. 
 
REQUIRED READING: BD + C Reference Guide
 
From the creators of the LEED Rating System, USGBC is the leading authority for LEED green building education. This guide will provide you with detailed credit and prerequisite information. You’ll also gain access to resources, documentation guidance, standards and implementation information.
 
Eight week course, Kelly Gearhart, LEED AP B+C, LEED AP O+M, instructor.

Unit 1
Introduction; Location and Transportation; Sustainable Sites
Site Selection
Access to Quality Transit
Alternative Transportation
Green Vehicles
Site Assessment
Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
Site Design and Development

Unit 2
Water Efficiency; LEED Project and Team Coordination 
Outdoor Water Use Reduction
Indoor Water Use Reduction
Water Performance Management
Rating System Selection
Scorecard Development
Cross-Disciplinary Coordination
Identification of Potential Costs

Unit 3
Energy and Atmosphere; LEED Process
Building Loads
Energy Efficiency
Demand Response
Alternative and Renewable Energy
Energy Performance Management
Environmental Concerns
Energy Model as a Tool
Process Loads
Iterative Optimization
Different Avenues to Achieve LEED Goals
LEED System Synergies
Project Boundary
Prerequisites and Minimum Program Requirements
Evolutionary Characteristics of LEED

Unit 4
Materials and Resources 
Reuse
Life-cycle Impacts
Waste
Environmental Concerns of Materials

Unit 5
Indoor Environmental Quality; Integrative Strategies
Indoor Environmental Quality
Lighting
Daylight
Acoustic Performance
Occupant Comfort, Health and Satisfaction
Thermal Comfort Design
Quality of Views
Integrative Process
Integrative Project Team
Value of Collaboration

Unit 6
Project Surroundings and Public Outreach; Advocacy and Education for Adoption for LEED Rating Systems
Regional Design
Cultural Awareness
Educational Outreach
Communicate the Values and Benefits of Green Building
Communicate the Benefits of using LEED
Understand Potential Trade-Offs
Identify Basic Categories of Incentive-Types
Identify the Need for Environmental and Economic Analysis
Educate Others and Self

Unit 7
LEED Certification Process; Analysis Required for LEED Credits
Ensure Compliance of Minimum Program Requirements
Select Appropriate Rating System
Identify Regional Priority Credits
Project Registration
Identify Team Responsibilities
Access and Manage Credit Forms and Templates through LEED Online
Project Management
Coordinate and Disseminate Addenda 
Submit Technical Questions to USGBC
Maintain LEED Scorecard
Estimate the Cost of LEED Certification
Manage a Project’s LEED Review Process
Verify Technical Work Products 
Identify Synergistic Credits
Research Green Building Products and Strategies
Understand Value of Energy Modeling as Tool

Unit 8
LEED AP BD+C Exam Preparation
Registering for Your Exam
The Exam
Pre-Exam Checklist
Study Suggestions
Review 
Practice Questions
Day of the Exam
After the Exam
Credential Maintenance
 

Question MarkAbout online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends.  It’s easy. It’s fun. 

GearsHow the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

CalendarParticipate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

ChecklistWhat you will do

For each Unit, you will:

  • Access the online readings
  • Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
  • Take a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
  • Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each day.

The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DiscussionDiscussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

It’s easy. It’s fun.

Next offering(s):
-Next session coming soon-

$ USD
$795 USD

Ave. hours 32, 3.2 CEUs/ILUs

About Your Instructors


 Kelly S. Gearhart LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, a Principal with Triple Green Building Group, a green building consulting firm with locations in the San Francisco Bay area, Savannah, Georgia and Sophia, Bulgaria.

Gearhart is a USGBC LEED Faculty member, Instructor for the University of California, former Manager of Commercial Green Building Services at Southface Energy Institute, Inc. and has been involved with green building education, technical assistance, and leadership since 2005. 

Accredited in the new Building Design + Construction and Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance programs, she has taught over 50 full-day and multi-day LEED courses, facilitated seven full-day and multi-day green building charrettes, presented at 12 conferences, consulted with more than 100 clients on green building strategies and worked on 25 LEED registered and certified projects across the U.S. and internationally.


Course Objectives
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to participate in LEED for Building Design and Construction projects, to support and encourage integrated design, and to streamline the LEED application and certification process.
  • Understand the relationships and synergies between LEED for Building Design and Construction credits.
  • Be able to explain the function of the integrative approach as it relates to LEED for Building Design and Construction.
  • Identify and explain the major policies and regulations that govern green building as they relate to LEED for Building Design and Construction.
  • Be able to describe the LEED for Building Design and Construction project certification process and identify the resources available to project teams.
  • Be prepared to sit for the LEED for Building Design and Construction AP Exam from the Green Building Certification Institute.
Course Outcomes

At the end of the course, you will:
  • Possess the information necessary to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to participate in LEED for Building Design and Construction projects, to support and encourage integrated design, and to streamline the LEED application and certification process.
  • Understand the relationships and synergies between LEED for Building Design and Construction credits..
  • Be able to explain the function of the integrative approach as it relates to LEED for Building Design and Construction.
  • Have identified and explained the major policies and regulations that govern green building and they relate to LEED for Building Design and Construction.
  • Have the knowledge necessary to describe the LEED for Building Design and Construction project certification process and identify the resources available to project teams.
  • Be prepared to sit for the LEED for Building Design and Construction AP Exam from the Green Building Certification Institute.


Completion Requirements