Thread: - LEED Professional Credentials -

Looking for some input.

I'm a university student in Canada who works for my family's landscape construction company. Ultimately I am hoping to get into a Master's of Architecture program and get into the construction industry.

I am applying to the Master's program after I finish my undergrad in an unrelated field (double social science major ). So I am looking at ways to bolster my resume and increase my competitiveness.

I was thinking of writing the LEED GA exam with no direct construction education. I think it would help as it would show my active interest in sustainable building.

Anyone have any experience writing the exams? As far as I understand I wouldn't be able to qualify for a LEED AP exam spot unless one of our landscaping projects qualified for LEED, and only after writing the GA.

Is the GA worth much? Looking for some feedback on difficulty, value, etc.

Thanks as always L4P.

None of the builers on here deal with LEED, other than Dubrow?

LEED has some good points and some bad points. For one good point it's got the USGBC behind it (it's their system) so the marketing associated with LEED is huge. I think it's a step in the right direction, we need a standard from rating how "green" a project is. But there are also a lot of faults with it. There's definitely room for improvement to the system hopefully they get it figured out soon.

I posted about the LEED faults on my green building forum. And put a link to a NY Times article about it also
Does LEED Have Faults? - GreenBuildPost - Green Building Forum

On the west coast a LEED AP is pretty much mandatory. Not sure if the GA would be much help, since every PE we have is AP, but it is better then nothing and it never hurts a resume to have extra letters after your name. If there is anything I can do to help let me know. I have written many test for Geomatics and Land Surveying in state and NCEES formats. Currently working on a technical training book co-aurthured by one of the people that helped write the California State Board of Professional Engineering exams.

You can get a little idea of what we do at: Winzler & Kelly

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1st step is to to join CaGBC in a chapter membership, unless your company has a corporate membership already. May consider joining USGBC also, more training, contacts and volunteering chances. Alot can be done on-line or on a week-end trip across the border.

2nd step is to add your name to the volunteer list, there is no volunteer positions available at this time but one will come up within the next 3-4 months (always does)

3rd step is start studying, you can find most info on the web. I can help with the rest.

PM sent with my email.

I had looked into the process. Seems doable for me while in school.

Coy thanks so much, I'll be in touch once I get back from Toronto this weekend. Really appreciate it.

take a LEED prep course, that's what I did. I'm sure there's some offered locally to where you are.