Poplar LEED v4 GA Study Guide 2.0.021715 PDF

1! © 2014 - 2018 Green Buildings Online Inc.
All Rights Reserved

LEED Green Associate Study Guide
(LEED v4)
Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................3
LEED Green Associate Exam and Strategy ...................................................................11
Question Structure .........................................................................................................12
LEED Background and Overview ...................................................................................13
Integrative Process Credits ............................................................................................25
Location and Transportation ...........................................................................................28
Sustainable Sites ...........................................................................................................34
Water Efficiency..............................................................................................................41
Energy and Atmosphere .................................................................................................50
Materials and Resources ...............................................................................................61
Indoor Environmental Quality .........................................................................................69
Innovation .......................................................................................................................78
Regional Priority .............................................................................................................82
Definitions ......................................................................................................................85
Acronym Glossary ..........................................................................................................92
100 Question LEED Green Associate Practice Test!..........................95

Answer Key...................................................................................................................116
References and Additional References:!........................................................132
Important please read:
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, LEED AP, LEED Green Associate, LEED AP
Fellow and USGBC are registered trademarks of the U.S. Green Building Council. GBCI is a registered
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Introduction
Congratulations! The LEED Green Associate credential will be an asset to your career
in building design and construction.
By earning a LEED professional credential, you will be in

good company. Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (“LEED”) credentials are arguably the most well-
recognized sustainability credentials on the market today.
Indeed, as of December 2014, there are over 200,000
LEED professionals globally.
LEED is the most widely adopted green building standard

both domestically in the U.S. and abroad. USGBC reports
that over 10 billion square feet of space is registered in
the U.S. alone and that approximately 1.7 million square
feet of building space is certified each day!
LEED has buildings certified in 140 countries across the globe and the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC), the 20+ year old organization that oversees the LEED rating
systems, is actively working to expand LEED even further.
In 2013 USGBC announced LEED Earth, a program to boost LEED’s international

presence by refunding the certification review fees of the first project to become LEED
certified in any of the remaining 112 countries without a certified project. LEED Earth will
be in place until June 5th, 2016. Early success can be seen in that USGBC now reports
that approximately 40% of all LEED registered projects are located outside the U.S.
USGBC is supported by over 77 local chapters, 30,000 members and volunteers and
13,000 member companies and organizations. The majority of domestic and
international employers in the real estate, building design and construction industries
recognize the value of LEED credentials.
However, the appeal of LEED goes beyond the built environment. Many job postings
including those in sales, marketing, business development, municipal planning,
government, and even finance and banking now include LEED credentials as a job
requirement or desired quality in a candidate.
As a purchaser of this guide, you will automatically have a professional profile on Poplar
Network where you may add your LEED, or other professional credentials. You can gain
free online continuing education and connect with other members online. Many of our
members run successful design build firms or operate LEED consulting practices. We
are working to add new tools and features to help our members succeed in this growing
industry.
3! © 2014 - 2018 Green Buildings Online Inc. All Rights Reserved

About LEED v4
Consistent with its mission to continually update and improve its rating systems,
USGBC announced the LEED v4 rating system in November 2013 at the Greenbuild
Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The new LEED exams were released during the
summer of 2014 and LEED v4 is required for all LEED Green Associate, and LEED AP
candidates, with the exception of LEED for Neighborhood Development. The new LEED
ND v4 exam will be released in February 2015.
With LEED v4, USGBC aims to improve upon the popular LEED 2009 rating system by
building upon it with new criteria that are even more focused on creating a sustainable
built environment. A project certified under LEED v4 should accomplish the following
seven goals or Impact Categories:
• Enhance human health and well-being

• Reverse contribution to climate change
• Enhance community, social equity, environmental justice and quality of life
• Build a greener economy
• Promote sustainable and regenerative resource cycles
• Protect biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Protect and restore water resources
LEED v4 also introduces new real estate market categories, such as data centers,
warehouses and distribution centers, as well as placing a greater emphasis on building
performance, not just design, as well as health, water resources, biodiversity,
community and natural resources.
USGBC is also innovating with respect to providing LEED project owners and operators
an opportunity to learn about the performance of their buildings in real time.
To do so, USGBC recently launched the LEED “Dynamic Plaque” digital display that
provides a visualization of a building’s real time performance across the major LEED
credit cateogries. The Dynamic Plaque provides a valuable feedback loop and
educational tool for building owners and occupants alike.
The new LEED professional credentialing exams cover the LEED v4 rating system,
while also taking into account important and consistent aspects of green building design
and building upon the LEED 2009 rating system.
If you are familiar with LEED 2009, one interesting thing you may recognize about
LEED v4 is that USGBC has done away with the credit numbers that existed in the
Reference Guides in previous versions of LEED. No longer are credits referred to with a
number and a name... Now it is just a name.
This guide includes the information you should know not only from LEED v4, but also
from LEED 2009.
How to Use This Guide
This study guide was developed by Poplar Education as a component of the Poplar
Education LEED Green Associate curriculum. It was developed by LEED credentialed
professionals who have passed the LEED exams multiple times and it has been proven
to be an effective study tool for passing the LEED Green Associate exam the first time.
Throughout this guide we introduce key terms in bolded and underlined text, as well as
a glossary of terms and acronyms at the end of the guide. If you don’t recognize a term
or acronym, refer to those lists for help.
You should read through this guide in its

entirety, and then go through section by
section and memorizing the material.
Highlight and write notes in the margins to
help yourself remember the information as
necessary. Creating your own flashcards is a
very helpful strategy.
Toward the end of the guide is a full 100

question practice test.
Many sections begin with a “Purpose/

Intent” section. These introductory
descriptions are important as they will help
you understand why USGBC/LEED does
what it does.
USGBC awards a seal or plaque to
The “LEED Background and Overview” buildings that earn LEED certification.
section covers the green building rating Fees associated with LEED building
system, certification process, and the certification are influenced by USGBC
USGBC and GBCI. national membership level. This LEED
Platinum level plaque is proudly
Next, the study guide covers each of the displayed at Yale University’s Kroon Hall.
individual credit categories: “Integrative
Process”, “Location and Transportation”, “Sustainable Sites”, “Water Efficiency”, “Energy
and Atmosphere”, “Materials and Resources”, “Indoor Environmental Quality”, “
Innovation” and “Regional Priority”. Each section touches on the prerequisites and
credits, along with their intent and requirements.
In many LEED credit categories, “Exemplary Performance” opportunities may exist.

Exemplary Performance (EP) identifies the threshold that must be met to earn an
Exemplary Performance point.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) calculations are sometimes used in LEED to estimate the
number of full-time employees, part-time employees, residents and transient visitors
(optional to include) in the building on an average day. One part-time employee counts
as 1/2 a full time employee.
The LEED Green Associate exam questions come from banks of hundreds of
questions that have been created by GBCI. You may see any of them during
your exam. While all information in this guide should be memorized, the
“Note It” icon at left references concepts that, based on our experience, have
a high probability of being seen on the exam.
If possible, we recommend studying for about 20-40 hours for the LEED Green
Associate exam. While not required, we highly recommend using additional study tools
such as practice tests and flashcards in your study plan. There are 143 total practice
questions included in this guide, including the full 100 question practice test.
You may purchase additional practice tests, exam simulators, flashcards, MP3 audio
files, online video and other helpful LEED Green Associate study tools are available on
Poplar Network, and receive a 25% discount as an existing customer.
About LEED credentials
The LEED professional credentials and exams are administered by the Green Building
Certification Institute (GBCI), the sister organization to USGBC.
There are three LEED credentials: LEED Green Associate (Tier I), LEED AP with
Specialty (Tier II) and LEED Fellow. LEED Fellow is an honorary position awarded to
industry experts through a nomination process.
While LEED credentials focus on general and specific green building and LEED rating
systems developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the training is relevant
to many industries and provides practical knowledge of sustainability that is applicable
in almost any field.
About the LEED Green Associate™ Exam
The LEED Green Associate credential demonstrates general knowledge of USGBC’s

green building principles and the LEED rating systems. To earn the LEED Green
Associate credential, the candidate must take and pass the 100 question LEED Green
Associate exam, which tests your knowledge of green building and LEED.
Exam content includes 15 “pre-test questions” that touch on concepts in specific Task
Domains and 85 questions that touch on specific Knowledge Domains.
According to USGBC/GBCI1 , Task Domains are defined as those areas that reflect the
tasks necessary to perform LEED safely and effectively. These include:
1. Communicate broad and basic green building concepts to team and/or

colleagues
2. Research and create a library of sustainable building materials
3. Assist others with sustainability goals
4. Create project profiles/case studies/press releases
5. Serve as a green advocate to clients, team members and the general public (e.g.
“Why green building?”
6. Stay current on updates to LEED and green building strategies in general
7. Navigate LEED Online
8. Assist project leaders with LEED correspondence to project team members
(consultants, contractors, owners, etc.)
9. Assist in managing the documentation process
10. Assist in managing the LEED certification timeline
Knowledge Domains reflect the rating systems’ credit categories and what one needs
to know. More detail is provided below. These include:
1. LEED Process (16 questions)

2. Integrative Strategies (8 questions)
3. Location and Transportation (7 questions)
4. Sustainable Sites (7 questions)
5. Water Efficiency (9 questions)
6. Energy and Atmosphere (10 questions)
7. Materials and Resources (9 questions)
8. Indoor Environmental Quality (8 questions)
9. Project Surroundings and Public Outreach (11 questions)
LEED Process (16 questions)
• Organization fundamentals (e.g. role of USGBC/GBCI; mission/vision; non-profit)

• Structure of LEED rating systems (e.g., credit categories, prerequisites, credits
and/or Minimum Program Requirements for LEED certification)
• Scope of each LEED rating system (e.g., rating system selection; rating system
families: BD+C, ID+C, O+M, ND, Homes)
• LEED development process (e.g., consensus based; stakeholder and volunteer
involvement; rating system updates/evolution)
• Credit categories (e.g., goals and objectives of each: LT, SS, WE, EA, MR, EQ,
IN, RP; synergies)
• Impact categories (e.g. What should a LEED project accomplish?)

• LEED certification process (e.g. certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold,
Platinum; LEED Scorecard; 3rd party verification; role of documentation
submission; LEED Interpretations; Addenda; awareness of different system
versions [e.g., LEED Online])
• Components of LEED Online and project registration
• Other rating systems (e.g., in general what other rating systems are out there?)
Integrative Strategies (8 questions)
• Integrative process (e.g., early analysis of the interrelationships among systems;

systems thinking; charettes)
• Integrative project team members (e.g., architect, engineer, landscape architect,
civil engineer, contractor, facility manager, etc.)
• Standards that support LEED (e.g., breadth not depth of American Society of
Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers [ASHRAE]; Sheet Metal
and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association [SMACNA] guidelines;
Green Seal,
• ENERGY STAR®, HERs, Reference Standards listed in ACPs, etc.)
Location and Transportation (7 questions)
• Site selection (e.g. targeting sites in previously developed and brownfields/high-

priority designation areas, avoiding sensitive habitats, located in areas with
existing infrastructure and nearby users, reduction in parking footprint.
Sustainable Sites (7 questions)
• Site assessment (e.g., environmental assessment, human impact)

• Site design and development (e.g., construction activity pollution prevention;
habitat conservation and restoration; exterior open space; rainwater
management; exterior lighting; heat island reduction)
Water Efficiency (9 questions)
• Outdoor water use (e.g., use of graywater/rainwater in irrigation; use of native

and adaptive species)
• Indoor water use (e.g., concepts of low flow/waterless fixtures; water-efficient
appliances; types and quality)
• Water performance management (e.g., measurement and monitoring)
Energy and Atmosphere (10 questions)

• Building loads (e.g., building components, space usage [private office; individual
space; shared multi-occupant spaces])
• Energy efficiency (e.g., basic concepts of design, operational energy efficiency,
commissioning, energy auditing)
• Alternative and renewable energy practices (e.g., demand response, renewable
energy, green power, carbon offsets)
• Energy performance management (e.g., energy use measurement and
monitoring; building automation controls/advanced energy metering; operations
and management; benchmarking; ENERGY STAR)
• Environmental concerns (e.g., sources and energy resources; greenhouse
gases; global warming potential; resource depletion; ozone depletion)
Materials and Resources (9 questions)
• Reuse (e.g., building reuse, material reuse, interior reuse, furniture reuse)
• Life-cycle impacts (e.g., concept of life-cycle assessment; material attributes;
human and ecological health impacts; design for flexibility)
• Waste (e.g., construction and demolition; maintenance and renovation;
operations and ongoing; waste management plan)
• Purchasing and declarations (e.g., purchasing policies and plans; environmental
preferable purchasing (EPP); building product disclosure and optimization [i.e.,
raw materials sourcing; material ingredients; environmental product disclosure])
Indoor Environmental Quality (8 questions)
• Indoor air quality (e.g., ventilation levels; tobacco smoke control; management of
and improvements to indoor air quality; low-emitting materials; green cleaning)
• Lighting (e.g., electric lighting quality, daylight)
• Sound (e.g., acoustics)
• Occupant comfort, health, and satisfaction (e.g., controllability of systems,
thermal comfort design, quality of views, assessment/survey)
Project Surroundings and Public Outreach (11 questions)
• Environmental impacts of the built environment (e.g. energy and resource use in
conventional buildings; necessity of green buildings; environmental externalities;
triple bottom line)
• Codes (e.g., relationship between LEED and codes [building, plumbing,
electrical, mechanical, fire protection]; green building codes)

• Values of sustainable design (e.g., energy savings over time; healthier
occupants; money-saving incentives; costs [hard costs, soft costs]; life-cycle)
• Regional design (e.g., regional green design and construction measures as
appropriate, regional emphasis should be placed in Sustainable Sites and
Materials & Resources)
About the LEED AP with Specialty Credential
The LEED AP with Specialty credential is the “Tier II”, or advanced LEED credential. It
designates an advanced knowledge of a specific LEED rating system. While the LEED
Green Associate exam requires general knowledge of the prerequisites and credits in
the LEED rating systems, the LEED AP with Specialty exams require specific
knowledge of each prerequisite and credit in a particular rating system.
The LEED AP with Specialty candidate is required to choose a specialty, which means
that he or she must specialize in a specific rating system. The following are the
available specialties and their corresponding rating systems:
• LEED AP BD+C: Building Design + Construction (BD+C)

• LEED AP ID+C: Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)
• LEED AP O+M: Existing Buildings, Operations + Maintenance (EB+OM)
• LEED AP Homes: Homes
• LEED AP ND: Neighborhood Development (ND)
For taking the LEED AP exam experience working on a LEED-registered project, or

having experience completing LEED credits, is strongly recommended.
Taking Both Exams at Once
While the LEED Green Associate exam is a prerequisite to earning the LEED AP
credential, you have the option of taking both the LEED Green Associate and LEED AP
exam together in a four hour exam session. However, you will not earn the LEED AP if
you fail either the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP exam portions during the four
hour session.
While it is certainly possible to pass both exams in one session, we do not recommend
taking both exams in the same session, as it is much more difficult to study for and pass
both exams.
The LEED Green Associate exam and LEED AP exams are not only quite different in
terms of their content, but also in terms of the strategy one should employ when
preparing.
The LEED AP exam also tests individuals on actual LEED project experience from
within the exam itself.
For these reasons, we recommend that you take the LEED Green Associate and LEED
AP exams separately, due to the added difficulty of passing both exams at the same
time.
If you are new to LEED, we recommend that you start with the LEED Green Associate
and pass that exam first.
Our partners at GreenStep Education offer LEED AP exam preparation that includes
LEED project experience to prepare you if and when you pursue the LEED AP.
LEED Green Associate Exam and Strategy

All LEED exams are computerized and held in Prometric testing centers. Each
Prometric center is proctored and you will not be allowed to bring anything into the
exam room with you. You will be asked to turn out your pockets and place any personal
belongings you brought with you in a locker.
The exam is 100 multiple choice questions, worth a total of 200 points. You will have 2
hours to complete the exam. The passing score is 170/200, or 85%.
The points on the exam are awarded based on difficulty using a weighted formula
known only to GBCI. There is no partial credit awarded on this exam.
You should answer every question on the exam, or you will automatically lose points.
The exam itself offers takers the ability to “mark” questions for review later. Use this tool
to mark questions you are not sure about. You may come back to marked questions at
any time.
While you will not be able to bring any personal belongings into the exam with you, you
will be provided with a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil when you enter the exam
room and once you are in the exam room, you may use this piece of paper to write
down whatever information you are having trouble remembering, etc. as it could come
in handy during the exam.
Indeed, you will have approximately 10 minutes once you are in the exam room to view
an introductory tutorial on how to use the Prometric computer terminal to take the exam.
You may watch the tutorial, or use these pre-exam minutes to write down important
information on the piece of paper that you have been given by the proctor. This is totally
acceptable.
When starting the exam, the clock on your two hours will start ticking down. We
recommend that during two hour period, you go through the exam at least twice. Once
you have completed the 100 questions the first time, go back through the exam a
second time and re-read each question that you have “marked” or answered and
confirm you are happy with those choices.
We have found that we often look at questions with a new, fresh perspective the second
time around and that it is helpful in making the right choice. Also, by going through the
entire exam more than once, you may remember information that is triggered by other
questions and recall answers to questions you could not remember on your first pass.
If possible, once you have answered all questions the second time, go through the
entire exam again for a third time to triple check your answers.
At the end of the two hours, you will receive your score immediately letting you know if
you passed or failed.
Question Structure
The questions for the LEED Green Associate exam are gathered from multiple sources.
This is unlike the LEED AP exam which pulls questions primarily from the LEED
Reference Guide for your particular specialty (BD+C, ID+C, O+M, Homes, etc.)
In the LEED Green Associate exam you will be tested on USGBC’s operating strategy,
approach, LEED process, general industry understanding and theory, as well as LEED
Reference Guide material, primarily from the BD+C rating system.
Some of the questions may be theoretical and not necessarily “realistic” in terms of what
would happen in a real world project. Throughout the LEED Green Associate exam
keep in mind you should choose the “best” answer for the question, not necessarily the
one that is “right”. The correct answers to questions represent what USGBC deems to
be the most appropriate answer. For example, you may see a question structured like
this:
Question: The LEED project team has determined that it is possible to achieve
LEED Platinum by pursuing an innovative glazing strategy that will not only improve
indoor occupant comfort, but also materially reduce carbon emissions while saving
20% on certain project costs. The strategy is not acceptable or compliant with
current local building code. What should the LEED project team do?
a) Apply for a variance with the local building department

b) Ignore local code and pursue the strategy because it is the right thing to do
c) Pursue the strategy while simultaneously discussing LEED benefits with the
building inspector
d) Abandon the strategy and pursue one that is compliant with local code
e) Submit a LEED Credit Interpretation Request to GBCI
The best answer would be “d”. While LEED aims to outperform local building codes in
some ways, USGBC does not encourage project teams to ignore local code.
You may also encounter questions that are not intuitive or that are designed to trick you
by presenting information that is superfluous, distracting you from choosing the best
answer. For instance, you may see a question structured like this:
Question: A project team has implemented a graywater recycling system for toilets
where rainwater is collected and then routed from the roof to the toilets for 100% of
toilet flushing. The team has also designed the men’s restroom with waterless
urinals. How much graywater is being saved per flush beyond the baseline with the
urinals?
a) 1.6 gpf
b) 1.8 gpf
c) 1.0 gpf
d) 1.1 gpf
e) 2.2 gpf
The best answer is “c” because 1.0 gpf is the baseline for urinals. Since waterless
urinals avoid 100% of water use, there is no graywater (or potable water) being used.
LEED Background and Overview

In this section, you will learn about the business case for green building, the LEED
Green Associate exam, USGBC, the organization that created and administers the
LEED rating systems, GBCI, the organization that oversees the LEED certification and
professional credentialing process, the structure of the LEED certification program, and
the certification process.
The Business Case for Green Building

Building green has many environmental and economic benefits. The LEED Green
Associate exam may include questions on the business case behind green building and
LEED. Conventional buildings that are outdated and/or poorly designed may not only be
less efficient than green buildings, but also may result in negative impacts to employee
productivity, such as increased employee absenteeism and sickness. In the U.S.,
buildings account for:
• 40% of energy use
• 12% of total water consumption
• 68% of electricity consumption
• 38% of CO2 emissions
• 60% of non-industrial waste generation
Green buildings may:
• Reduce energy use by 30%

• Reduce carbon emissions by 35%
• Reduce water use by 30-50%
• Reduce waste output by 50-90%
• Boost employee productivity by 7-16%
According to reports by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), among others, green
buildings with improved indoor environments typically have occupants who are
healthier, more productive and experience fewer sick days.
According to McGraw-Hill, operating costs in green buildings may be 8-9% lower than
conventional buildings, increase building value by up to 7.5%, generate higher per
square foot rental rates and enhance returns on investment by 6%.
LEED Overview
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) develops the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems for green buildings.
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) administers building certification

and LEED professional credentialing exams.
• Buildings become LEED certified (people or products do not receive certification)

• Individuals become LEED accredited (as opposed to certified)
• Firms become USGBC national members (people can become members of local
chapters)
Only companies who are USGBC national members in good standing can use the
USGBC logo.
• USGBC’s mission: Voluntary, Consensus-Based, Market Driven Approach

• LEED’s Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet and Profit
LEED Rating Systems

Project teams have a choice of five rating systems: BD+C, ID+C, O+M, Homes and
Neighborhood Development.
Project teams should use the 40/60 rule to determine which rating system to use. The
40/60 rule states that if the rating system applies to 60% or more of the project, the
project team should use that rating system.
There are five LEED rating systems, as listed below. Each rating system may have sub-
rating systems beneath it, focusing on a particular type of building:
LEED for Building Design + Construction (BD+C)

• New Construction
• Core & Shell
• Schools
• Healthcare
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Data Centers
• Warehouses & Distribution Centers
LEED for Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)

• Commercial Interiors
• Retail
• Hospitality
LEED for Building Operations + Maintenance (O+M)

• Existing Buildings
• Schools
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Data Centers
• Warehouses & Distribution Centers
LEED for Homes

• Homes and Multifamily Low Rise
• Multifamily Mid-rise
LEED for Neighborhood Development

• Plan
• Built Project
LEED for Building Design + Construction
LEED BD+C rating systems apply to new construction or major renovations of entire
buildings. It includes all building types except residential buildings with eight or fewer
stories.
• New Construction and Major Renovation: Addresses design and construction

activities for both new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings. This
includes major HVAC improvements, significant building envelope modifications
and major interior rehabilitation.
• Core and Shell Development: For projects where the developer controls only
certain aspects of the project, such as the building envelope and the building
mechanical systems, such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire
protection system—referred to as the core and shell—but not the design and
construction of the tenant fit-out.
• Note: Core and Shell is the only rating system that allows for “Pre-
Certification”. For an additional fee, LEED project teams may seek Pre-
Certification from GBCI after which time a building project owner may market
their building as LEED Certified in anticipation of actually receiving final
certification.
• Schools. For buildings made up of core and ancillary learning spaces on K-12
school grounds. Can also be used for higher education and non-academic
buildings on school campuses.
• Retail. Addresses the unique needs of retailers—from banks, restaurants,

apparel, electronics, big box stores and everything in between.
• Data Centers. Specifically designed and equipped to meet the needs of high
density computing equipment such as server racks, used for data storage and
processing.
• Warehouses and Distribution Centers. For buildings used to store goods,

manufactured products, merchandise, raw materials, or personal belongings, like
self-storage.
• Hospitality. Dedicated to hotels, motels, inns, or other businesses within the

service industry that provide transitional or short-term lodging with or without
food.
• Healthcare. For hospitals that operate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week and provide inpatient medical treatment, including acute and long-term
care.
LEED for Interior Design + Construction
LEED ID+C rating systems apply to a tenant fit out in a portion of a larger building. The
exterior can be Core & Shell certified (but doesn’t have to be).
• Commercial Interiors. For interior spaces dedicated to functions other than

retail or hospitality.
• Retail. For retail interior spaces used to conduct the retail sale of consumer
product goods. Includes both direct customer service areas (showroom) and
preparation or storage areas that support customer service.
• Hospitality. Designed for interior spaces dedicated to hotels, motels, inns, or

other businesses within the service industry that provide transitional or short-term
lodging with or without food.
LEED for Building Operations + Maintenance

LEED O+M rating systems apply to all existing buildings except low-rise residential.
Less than 50% of the floor is altered, and the operations are improved. They are tested
during the performance period.
LEED O+M certified buildings are the only buildings that must re-certify every 5 years.
• Existing Buildings. Specifically projects that do not primarily serve K-12

educational, retail, data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, or
hospitality uses.
• Retail. Guides existing retail spaces, both showrooms, and storage areas.
• Schools. For existing buildings made up of core and ancillary learning spaces on
K-12 school grounds. Can also be used for higher education and non-academic
buildings on school campuses.
• Hospitality. Existing hotels, motels, inns, or other businesses within the service
industry that provide transitional or short-term lodging with or without food.
• Data Centers. Existing buildings specifically designed and equipped to meet the
needs of high density computing equipment such as server racks, used for data
storage and processing.
• Warehouses and Distribution Centers. Existing buildings used to store goods,
manufactured products, merchandise, raw materials, or personal belongings
(such as self-storage).
LEED for Homes

LEED for Homes applies to low-rise single family and multifamily residential buildings.
Construction and performance must be verified on-site by a Green Rater. Green

Homes Certification Providers manage and audit the work of Green Raters.
Homes and Multifamily Lowrise: Designed for single family homes and multifamily
buildings between one and three stories.
Multifamily Midrise: Designed for midrise multifamily buildings between four and eight
stories.
LEED for Neighborhood Development

LEED for ND applies to an entire neighborhood with residential uses, nonresidential
uses, or a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development process, from
conceptual planning to construction.
Plan: For neighborhood-scale project currently in any phase of planning and design and
up to 75% completed construction.
Built Project: Designed for neighborhood-scale projects that are near completion, or
were completed within the last three years.
Special LEED Programs

LEED Volume: A simpler, speedier process for organizations planning to certify an
entire portfolio of building projects (25 or more) using the BD+C and O+M rating
systems.
LEED Campus: A simpler, speedier process for organizations planning to certify

multiple buildings on a single campus site and under the control of a single entity (like a
corporate or educational campus, or a commercial development).
LEED Recertification: For Building Operations and Maintenance projects. Projects
must recertify within five years of the previous certification and are eligible as often as
every 12 months.
LEED Proven Provider™: A program announced in late 2014 that rewards experienced
LEED project teams, architectural and design firms with an enhanced certification
process, improved engagement with LEED reviewers and a streamlined project review.
Designed to encourage successful, error free LEED Online documentation submittals.
LEED Certification
LEED buildings earn credits, each of which is worth a certain number of

points. 100 base points are available, plus additional points for Innovation
and Regional Priority. Prerequisites are mandatory and are worth zero
points.
A commercial building* can earn 4 levels of LEED certification, depending on the

number of points they earn:
• LEED Certified: 40-49 pts

• LEED Silver: 50-59 pts
• LEED Gold: 60-79 pts
• LEED Platinum: 80+ pts
*Does not apply to LEED for Homes
LEED Credit Categories

Each credit and the number of points that may be earned is weighted by
environmental impact.
The greater the positive environmental impact, the greater the number of points the
credit is worth. The following are the LEED credit categories:
Credit Category Points
Integrative Process 100 Base Points

Location and Transportation
Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation and Regional Priority (additional points) 10 Bonus Points
LEED Boundaries
LEED Project Boundary: The LEED project boundary includes all contiguous land and
building area that is associated with the project. This includes the site area affected by
the construction, including parking and open space.
The LEED project boundary may not be “gerrymandered” or be designed to

unreasonably exclude portions of a building, property or space that would normally be
considered part of the project or property, simply for the purposes of seeking LEED
certification.
In the diagram below you can see the red outlined area represents the LEED project
boundary, which is the site area that is affected by the LEED project, or directly serve
the LEED project. This area is separate from the LEED property boundary, and any
undeveloped area.
Under certain circumstances, buildings or property elements that are outside of the
project boundary (including on-site renewable energy, bicycle storage, etc.) may be
included for the purposes of calculating certain credits, as long as they are not double
counted in any way.
Property Boundary: The project’s property line from the tax map.
Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)
All LEED projects (except LEED for Homes and Neighborhood Development)
must meet all MPRs to become certified. MPRs include:
1.Must be in a permanent location on existing land
2. Must use reasonable LEED boundaries
3. Must comply with project size requirements
a. BD+C and O+M must be at least 1,000 square feet

b. ID+C must be 250 square feet
c. Neighborhoods must have at least 2 habitable buildings and no larger than
1500 acres
d. Homes must be considered “dwelling units” by applicable codes
LEED Reference Guides
USGBC develops the LEED Reference Guides. Each rating system has its own
Reference Guide with intent, requirements, and strategies for each prerequisite and
credit. The reference guides can be found at USGBC.org (not LEED Online).
Note: This guide is designed to cover everything you need to know for the LEED Green
Associate exam. You do not need the USGBC Core Concepts Guide.
Once you pass the LEED Green Associate exam, if you are considering moving on to
the LEED AP exam you should purchase the appropriate Reference Guide from
USGBC.
However, while the Reference Guides are the source of 100% of the questions for the
LEED AP exams, because of the length of the reference guides (817 pages in LEED v4
for BD+C, for example) using a focused LEED AP exam study guide that covers the
questions actually found on the exam is highly recommended.
The LEED Project Administrator
The LEED project team must choose a LEED Project Administrator. The
LEED Project Administrator registers the project in LEED Online and is able
to perform the following tasks:
•Invite team members to join the project through LEED Online

• Assign team members to complete LEED project credit and prerequisite
documentation
• Submit the project application to GBCI for review
The LEED Project Administrator can submit either one (1) Construction Phase Review
or two (2) separate Design and Construction Phase reviews. Certification is only
awarded after Construction Phase (it can be “anticipated” after Design Phase).
LEED Online
Project teams manage their projects on the LEED Online website. LEED Online is an
online application designed specifically for managing LEED certification projects.
LEED Online contains credit templates and allows teams to upload documentation
(photos, site plan, floor plan, site rendering, project description) and submit Credit
Interpretation Requests (CIRs).
LEED Online contains the LEED Scorecard, which lists all the credits that the project is
attempting. It helps teams to keep track of their LEED certification plan.
Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs)

A Credit Interpretation Request (CIR) allows project teams to receive
technical or administrative guidance from the Technical Advisory Group
(TAG).
A TAG is a group, or subcommittee, of industry or domain specific experts,

who advise on credit interpretations and improvements to LEED.
CIRs cost $220 each.
They must be submitted through LEED Online, are limited to 600 words, and must NOT
contain documentation. Anyone on the project team who has access to LEED Online
may submit a CIR.
Quiz: LEED Background and Overview
1) Who can submit a Credit Interpretation Request?
a) LEED APs with appropriate specialty only

b) LEED APs and Green Associates only
c) The commissioning agent
d) Anyone on the project team who has access to LEED Online
e) USGBC members only
2) For which of the following should the LEED project use the 40/60 rule?
a) Which rating system to use

b) How much graywater/potable water to use for flushing toilets
c) To determine the number of credits achieved in a LEED certification
d) How many occupants are satisfied vs. unsatisfied with their thermal comfort
e) The percentage of open space relative to the LEED project boundary
3) Which of the following can become LEED accredited?
a) Buildings
b) Companies
c) People
d) Nonprofit Organizations
e) Cities
4) A 750 square foot new construction project earned 62 points toward LEED
certification. Which of the following certification levels did it achieve?
a) Certified
b) Gold
c) Silver
d) Platinum
e) None
5) Which LEED rating system requires on-site inspection prior to certification?
a) LEED for Neighborhood Development

b) LEED for New Construction
c) LEED for Homes
d) LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance
e) All require inspection
Answers:
1) D. Anyone on a LEED project team who has access to LEED Online can submit a
Credit Interpretation Request (CIR).
2) A. Project teams use the 40/60 rule to determine which rating systems to use. If
the project applies to 60% or more of a certain rating system, it should attempt
certification under that system.
3) C. Only people can become LEED accredited (earn LEED credentials). Only
buildings can become LEED certified, and firms can become USGBC national
members.
4) E. For LEED certification, new construction projects must comply with minimum
floor area requirements of 1000 square feet.
5) C. LEED for Homes is the only rating system that requires inspection by a Green
Rater prior to certification.
Integrative Process Credits
USGBC stresses Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), a process that involves all of the
project participants in the design and construction processes as early as possible using
a collaborative process.
A “conventional” construction process is arguably less efficient than the IPD process,
because it involves separate pre-design, design, bid, construction, and occupancy
phases.
In LEED 2009, USGBC only stressed the benefits of IPD, and did not award project
teams for it. Under LEED v4, IPD is available as a credit.
There is only one credit in this category, worth up to one point. In LEED “Healthcare”
projects, this is a prerequisite, not a credit.
Remember the Benefits of IPD:
• Reduced construction time

• Cost control
• Better communication and sequencing
Integrative Process Credit: Integrative Process
Purpose/Intent: The purpose of the new IP credit is to encourage and reward

opportunities for teamwork among key players in the building, design and construction
process.
By coordinating early and often, USGBC encourages cost-effective adoption of green

design and construction strategies that follow Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
and leverage synergies among LEED credits.
Significant synergies exist within the Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Water Efficiency
(WE) and Sustainable Sites (SS) credit categories.
Synergies are important concepts in LEED and you may be asked questions
about synergies on the exam.
What energy and water related credit concepts might be affected by pursuing
a vegetated (green) roof for the project?
A green roof not only offers a credit compliance path for Heat Island Reduction within
the Sustainable Sites credit category, it can also help earn the Rainwater Management
credit and potentially earn points in EA for optimizing energy performance due to the
roof’s insulative qualities.
--
Owner’s Project Requirement Documents (OPR):

The OPR is a written document that is used in all LEED projects that outlines the
specific criteria and concepts that are determined by the building owner to drive the
success of the LEED project.
In the pre-design and design phases of the project, identify and apply opportunities to
achieve synergies as described below:
Use the analyses to inform the OPR, Basis of Design (BOD) documents, and
construction documents.
Energy Related Systems: Perform a preliminary energy modeling analysis that explores
how to reduce energy loads in the building.
Water Related Systems: Perform a preliminary water budget analysis that explores how
to reduce potable water loads (indoor, outdoor, process water, and supply sources) in
the building.
Complete both the energy and water analyses before the completion of the schematic
designs and document how the analysis of energy and water affect the OPR and BOD.
Integrated Project Team: Assemble a project team with a minimum of four (4)
professionals in addition to the owner or owner’s representative.
Examples of team members that may be included in the team are the: architect or
building designer, mechanical engineer, energy modeler, commissioning agent,
community representatives, general contractor, green building consultant, lighting
designer, facility managers.
Design Charrette: As early as possible and before schematic design if possible,

conduct a minimum of a 4-hour design charrette with the project team.
Additionally, for LEED for Healthcare projects: A Health Mission Statement is to be

incorporated in the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) to emphasize human health
as a fundamental evaluative criterion for building design, construction and operational
strategies.
Quiz: Integrative Process Credits

1) According to the Integrative Project Planning and Design prerequisite, when
should the design charrette preferably be held?
a) Before the design phase

b) During the design phase
c) During construction
d) After construction
2) In addition to the four professionals assigned to the Integrated Project Team

who must participate?
a) Green property and casualty insurance representative

b) A representative from the community
c) Owner or owner’s representative
d) GBCI representative
e) LEED Fellow
3) Which of the following is not a benefit of Integrative Project Planning and

Design?
a) More cost-effective construction

b) Enables better design, construction and operational strategies for human health
c) Lower LEED certification costs
d) Defined LEED certification goals
4) What is the minimum duration of the Design Charrette to consider it eligible to

meet the prerequisite / credit?
a) 8 hours
b) 5 hours
c) 4 hours
d) 6 hours
5) The health mission statement is applicable for:
a) All projects
b) Healthcare projects
c) School projects only
d) School and Healthcare projects
Answers:
1) A
The design charrette for a LEED project should be held “as early as practical and
preferably before schematic design”.
2) C.
An owner or owner’s representative must participate. The other choices are not required
at all.
3) C.
LEED projects are not awarded lower certification fees for integrative project planning
and design; rather, it is a prerequisite and is required by all projects.
4) C
The Design Charrette should last a minimum of 4 hrs.
5) B
A Health Mission Statement is required for LEED for Healthcare projects only.
Location and Transportation

A building’s location can directly affect its environmental impact, the health and wellness
of its occupants and carbon footprint. For instance, a building located in New York City
may have access to public transit which not only enhances human wellness through
increased walking or bicycling activity, but also reduces the demand for automobile use
thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The LT category considers the existing features of the surrounding community and how
this infrastructure affects occupants’ behavior and environmental performance.
Included in Which Rating Systems?

Credit Points (for New
Construction)
LEED for Neighborhood Up to 16 points New Construction, Schools, Core
Development location & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Centers, Hospitality,
Warehouses/Distribution Centers
Sensitive Land Protection 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

& Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
High Priority Site Up to 3 points (e.g.. New Construction, Schools, Core

brownfield remediation) & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Construction)
Surrounding Density and Diverse Up to 5 points New Construction, Schools, Core
Uses & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Access to Quality Transit Up to 5 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Bicycle Facilities 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Reduced Parking Footprint 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Green Vehicles 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Location & Transportation Credit: LEED for

Neighborhood Development Location
Purpose/Intent: To leverage existing LEED for Neighborhood Development projects

registered under LEED 2009 or LEED v4.
Requirement: Locate the LEED project within the boundary of development certified
under LEED for Neighborhood Development.
Note: Projects applying for this credit cannot apply for points in other credits in Location
and Transportation.
Location & Transportation Credit: Sensitive Land

Protection
Purpose/Intent: To reduce the impact of development on sensitive lands.
Requirements: Certain types of land should be avoided when seeking a development
site. Such properties include prime farmland, floodplains, any area that is listed as a
habitat for an endangered species, land within 50 feet of a wetlands or 100 feet from a
body of water, such as a river, lake, stream or ocean.
Location & Transportation Credit: High Priority Site
Purpose/Intent: To encourage project location in areas with development constraints

and promote health of the surrounding area.
Requirements: There are three options to achieve this credit: 1) Locate the project in
an infill location in a “historic district”, 2) Locate the project in an area that is designated
as a priority by a Federal, state or town government organization (e.g. a “Federal
Empowerment Zone” site), or 3) develop on a Brownfield site by remediating that site.
EP: By combining option 1 with options 2 and/or 3, project teams may earn an
exemplary performance point.
Location & Transportation Credit: Surrounding Density

and Diverse Uses
Purpose/Intent: To protect sensitive land, encourage development near to existing

infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicular transport, and
encourage human physical activity.
Requirements: There are two options to fulfill this credit: 1) Surrounding Density: meet
population density requirements within 1/4 mile of the project, or 2) Diverse Uses: locate
the project within a 1/2 mile walking distance of specific commercial, retail, community
services or facilities.
Projects may earn 2-3 points for fulfilling Option 1 “Surrounding Density” or, under
Option 2, earn 1-2 points if the project’s main entrance is within 1/2 mile of four to seven
(1 point) or eight or more (2 points) existing and publicly available Diverse Uses, which
include the following, as listed in the LEED BD+C v4 Reference Guide.
Diverse Uses Include 2:
• Food Retail: Supermarket, Grocery with produce section
• Community-Serving Retail: Convenience store, farmers market, hardware store,

pharmacy, other retail
• Services: Bank, family entertainment venue (i.e. theater, sports), gym, health
club, exercise studio, hair care, laundry, dry cleaner, restaurant, cafe, diner
(excluding drive-thru only), adult or senior care, child care, community or
recreation center, cultural arts facility (i.e. museum, performing arts), education
facility (i.e. K-12 school, vocational school, community college, university, adult
education center), government office that serves public on-site, medical clinic/
office that treats patients, place of worship, police or fire station, post office,
public library, public park, social services center
• Civic and Community Facilities:
• Community Anchor Uses (BD+C and ID+C only): Commercial office (100+ full
time jobs)
Location & Transportation Credit: Access to Quality

Transit
Purpose/Intent: To reduce motor vehicle use and greenhouse gas emissions while
enhancing human health.
Requirements: Locate the project within 1/4 mile walking distance of a bus, streetcar or
ride share stop OR 1/2 mile of bus rapid transit stops, light or heavy rail stations,
commuter rail stations or ferry terminals. The transit service at these stops must meet a
minimum number of weekday and weekend trips.
EP: Project teams may earn an additional point by doubling the highest transit service
point threshold
Location & Transportation Credit: Bicycle Facilities
Purpose/Intent: To promote bicycling, reduce motor vehicle use and enhance human
health.
Requirements: There are two options to earn the credit for Bicycle Facilities: 1) Bicycle
Network and 2) Bicycle Storage and Shower Rooms:
Bicycle Network: Locate the project within 200 yards (walking or bicycling distance) from
a Bicycle Network that connects at least 10 Diverse Uses (as described above), or a
bus rapid transit stop, light or heavy rail station, commuter rail station, or ferry terminal.
Bicycle Storage and Shower Rooms:
Commercial and Institutional Projects:

• Short-term bicycle storage for 2.5% of
peak visitors, and at least 4 spaces per
building AND
• Long-term bicycle storage for 5% of
regular building occupants, with at least
four long-term storage spaces AND
• At least one shower + changing facility
for first 100 occupants, plus additional
shower for each additional 150
occupants
Bicycle racks may contribute to
Residential Projects: Location & Transportation.
• Short-term bicycle storage for 2.5% of
peak visitors, and at least 4 spaces per
building AND
• Long-term bicycle storage for 30% of regular building occupants, with at least one
long-term storage space
All Projects:
Bicycle storage must be within 100 feet of main entrance or functional entry.
Location & Transportation Credit: Reduced Parking

Footprint
Purpose/Intent: To reduce the environmental impact of parking facilities, such as motor

vehicle dependence, increased impervious land use, and increased stormwater runoff.
Requirements: To earn this credit project teams must accomplish both 1) not
exceeding the minimum local code requirements for parking capacity and 2) providing
parking capacity that is 20-40% lower than the base ratios recommended by the
Parking Consultants Council, as shown in the Institute of Transportation
Engineers’ Transportation Planning Handbook.
EP: Project teams may earn an additional point by providing parking capacity that is
60-80% lower than the stated base ratios (as described above) and by incorporating
strategies such as parking space leasing, pedestrian travel, bicycles and public
transportation usage.
Location & Transportation Credit: Green Vehicles
Purpose/Intent: LEED encourages and rewards the use of alternatives to

conventionally (fossil fuel based) automobile transportation.
Requirements: A Green Vehicle is one that achieves a minimum green score of 45 on

the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle
rating guide.
To earn this point, project teams must designate 5% of all the parking spaces used by
the project as “preferred parking” for green vehicles. As an alternative to 5% of all
parking, green vehicles may be provided with a discounted parking rate of at least
20%... This “preferred rate” must be clearly posted at the entrance to any paid parking
facility.
Project teams must also achieve one of the following two additional options: 1) Electric
Vehicle Charging: Install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 2% of all parking
spaces, and designate those spaces for plug-in electric vehicles, or 2) Liquid, Gas or
Battery Facilities: Install liquid or gas alternative fueling facilities or battery switching
station for 2% of all parking spaces.
Quiz: Location & Transportation

1) Which of the following is NOT an alternative fuel vehicle?
a) A hydrogen fuel vehicle
b) A gas-electric hybrid
c) A Diesel sedan
d) Electric vehicle
2) A Low Emitting and Fuel Efficient Vehicle must meet which of the following
requirements?
a) A minimum green score of 45
b) Green-e certification of 45
c) A Green Label Plus score of 35 or higher
d) Made by a U.S. automobile manufacturer
3) A LEED certified building has 100 full time employees, 200 part time
employees, and 100 peak time customers. How many bike storage spaces does it
need to earn the Location & Transportation, Bicycle Facilities credit?
a) 20
b) 15
c) 13
d) 12
e) 10
Answers:
1) C
An alternative fuel vehicle runs on non-petroleum based fuels. A diesel sedan is the
only one of these vehicles without an alternative fuel (hydrogen or electricity).
2) A
LEED defines a low emitting and fuel efficient vehicle as either a Zero Emissions
Vehicle (as defined by the California Air Resources Board) or a vehicle that scores a
minimum of 45 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Guide.
3) C
For the Bicycle Facilities credit, bike storage must be provided for 2.5% of all peak
visitors and 5% of regular building occupants users (but no fewer than 4 in addition to
the visitor/short-term spaces). 100 full time employees + 0.5 x 200 part time employees
= 200 total full-time employees (FTEs). 5% of 200 FTE = 10 spaces. 2.5% of 100 peak
time visitors is 2.5 spaces. So, in total, the project must have 12.5 spaces, or 13
(rounded up - you can’t have half a space). There is no consideration in this question of
short term vs. long term spaces.
Sustainable Sites
The intent of this credit category is to maximize the project team’s consideration for the
environment surrounding the building site, specifically as it pertains to organic life,
ecosystems and biodiversity.
Take note of each prerequisite and credit’s intent and requirements, as they may appear
on the exam. They include:

Construction)
Construction Activity Pollution 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core
Prevention & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Distribution Centers
Construction)
Environmental Site Assessment 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core
Site Development – Protect or Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Restore Habitat & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Open Space 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Rainwater Management Up to 3 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Heat Island Reduction Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Light Pollution Reduction 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Tenant Design & Construction 1 point Core & Shell

Guidelines
Site Master Plan 1 point Schools
Joint Use of Facilities 1 point Schools
Places of Respite 1 point Healthcare
Direct Exterior Access 1 point Healthcare
SS Prerequisite: Construction Activity Pollution

Prevention
Purpose/Intent: Reduce the impact of construction activities on the surrounding
environment.
Requirements: Create and implement erosion and sedimentation control plan for all
construction activities. The project team strategies must meet either of the following
standards, erring on the side of whichever is more stringent:
1) 2012 EPA Construction General Permit, OR

2) Local erosion and sedimentation codes
Technologies/Strategies: To reduce the impact of construction activities, the

project team may pursue strategies including temporary and permanent
seeding, mulching, earthen dikes, silt fencing, sediment traps and sediment
basins. Each of these strategies aims to protect the site’s natural soil
structure, air quality surrounding the site and any contiguous water bodies or
natural habitats that may be near the site.
SS Credit: Site Assessment

Purpose/Intent: Before commencing design, evaluate the site and/or surrounding site
area features that may be impacted by the project.
Requirements: The project team should complete and document a site survey or
assessment that includes the following information: topography, hydrology, climate,
vegetation, soils, human use and/or human health effects.
The survey or assessment should demonstrate the relationships between the site
features and how they influenced the project design.
SS Credit: Site Development -

Protect or Restore Habitat
Purpose/Intent: An opportunity for project
teams to not only “do no harm” but also to
conserve or restore natural habitats and
biodiversity.
Requirements: Maintain at least 40% of any

Greenfield land (if any) on the site. The project
team must also meet one of two additional Open space on a college campus
options: 1) Restore 30% (including the building would contribute to Open Space.
footprint) of all portions of the site identified as
previously developed or 2)
Provide financial support equivalent to at least $0.40 cents per square foot for the total
site area (including the building footprint) to a nationally or locally recognized land trust
or conservation organization within the same EPA ecoregion or the project’s state.
EP: By doubling the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2, the project may earn
an additional point.
SS Credit: Open Space

Purpose/Intent: Connecting the project with the environment to encourage human
interaction, physical movement and social interaction through open spaces.
Requirements: Provide outdoor space greater than or equal to 30% of the total site
area (including the building footprint). A minimum of 25% of that outdoor space must be
vegetated (turf grass does not count) or have overhead vegetated canopy.
While the other 75% (of the 30% of total site area) may be paved, a preferred method of
accomplishing the credit would be to use permeable surfaces that allow rainwater to
pass through (as described in the Rainwater Management credit, below), and that also
encourage social activities, physical activity and visual interest.
SS Credit: Rainwater
Management
Purpose/Intent: To reduce stormwater and/or
rainwater runoff volume.
Requirements: There are two options to fulfill

this credit: 1) use Low Impact Development
(aka “LID”) and green infrastructure (aka “GI”)
or 2) manage the post project construction
runoff to pre-construction levels.
Strategies to accomplish this include minimizing Good rainwater management will

land disturbance, preserving vegetation, using increase perviousness, which
vegetated swales (aka “Bioswales”), adding reduces stormwater runoff, as seen
bioretention areas, porous/pervious paving, rain above.
gardens and pervious decking.
EP: Project teams may earn an additional point by managing 100% of rainwater within
project boundaries.
SS Credit: Heat Island Reduction - Definitions
3 Year SRI or SR: A material’s ability to reject solar heat may degrade over
time, this can be due to smog, weather exposure, etc. LEED v4
accommodates for such an eventuality by measuring SRI and/or SR over
time.
Albedo/reflectance: Ability of a surface to reflect sunlight on a scale of 0 to 1, with 0

being the least reflective and 1 being the most reflective.
Emissivity: The ratio of radiation emitted by a surface to

the radiation emitted by a blackbody at the same
temperature. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 1, with 0
being the most reflective and 1 being the blackbody (least
reflective).
Emittance: Ability of a surface to shed thermal radiation

on a scale of 0 to 1, with 0 emitting the least and 1 being a
perfect emitter.
Heat island: The difference in thermal gradient between

developed and undeveloped areas.
Heat island effect: Absorption of heat by hardscapes

such as dark, non-reflective pavement and buildings, and
its radiation to surroundings.
Solar Reflectance: For non-roofing materials (aka

“nonroof”) such as vegetation, shading devices, or other
less reflective components, Solar Reflectance (SR) is Green roofs (aka
used. SR is a more appropriate way to measure nonroof vegetated roofs) offer
materials, which have more thermal mass. synergies among multiple
credits and may contribute
Solar reflectance index (SRI): The most effective to Protect or Restore
measure of a roofing material’s ability to reject solar heat, Habitat, Open Spaces and
SRI measures the ability of a surface to reject solar heat Heat Island Reduction,
on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the SRI, the better it is among others.
at rejecting solar heat. SRI is a combination of reflectance
and emittance.
SS Credit: Heat Island Reduction

Purpose/Intent: Reduce the impact of man-made heat islands on natural environments
and habitats.
Requirements: There are two options for achieving the Heat Island Reduction Credit,
1) “Non-Roof” involves using plants, open grid paving systems or a highly reflective
surface or 2) “Parking Under Cover” which involves covering at least 75% of any
parking on site with a vegetated roof, renewable energy system or highly reflective
surface. Renewable energy systems may be solar photovoltaics, wind turbines or other
on-site renewable energy systems.
Remember that for certain surfaces that are considered “Highly Reflective”
they should have a score on the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 82 for a
low-sloped roof, or 39 for a steep sloped roof. Since the reflectance of roofs
degrades over time (making them less reflective and more prone to
absorbing heat), there is an “aging” component to the SRI score. For low and
high-sloped roofs, the 3-year aged scores are 64 and 32, respectively.
EP: By achieving both Option 1 and Option 2 AND locate 100% of parking under cover.
SS Credit: Light Pollution Reduction

Purpose/Intent: This credit aims to reduce the impact of artificial light for both humans
and wildlife, as unnatural light can be disruptive, disorienting, cause annoyance,
discomfort, distraction and loss of visibility.
Requirements: Using the “BUG Method” (Backlight Uplight Glare), or the “Calculation
Method” meet uplight and Light Trespass requirements as determined by IES-TM
15-11, Addendum A.
Note that in the Sustainable Sites category, larger projects, such as those registered
under LEED for Neighborhood Development or Schools, may benefit from additional
opportunities to earn points for large “Site Master Plans” and by leveraging facilities for
multiple uses (to reduce the need for additional facilities).
In LEED for Healthcare projects, project teams are rewarded for providing “Places of
Respite”, or places for building occupants (both employees and patients) to seek quiet
healing while connecting with the environment, as well as direct access to the outdoor
environment.
Quiz: Sustainable Sites
1) Which of the following does NOT reduce heat island effect?
a) Roof with a low solar reflectance index (SRI) value
b) A vegetative roof
c) Open-grid pavement
d) Solar panels
e) Shade from trees
2) Which of the following LEED credits could prevent eutrophication?

a) Fundamental Refrigerant Management
b) Heat Island Reduction
c) Rainwater Management
d) Daylight
3) The ASTM E-1527-05 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment determines which

type of land?
a) Prime farmland
b) Contaminated land
c) Wetland
d) Greenfield
e) Endangered species’ habitat
4) Which of the following credits promotes biodiversity?

a) Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat
b) Rainwater Management
c) Heat Island Reduction
d) Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses
5) Open space is defined as:

a) The project’s property area minus the development footprint
b) Green space within the development footprint
c) Any space within the property area that is covered with native vegetation
d) Any outdoor space on the property area
Answers:
1) A
Vegetative roofs, open-grid pavement, solar panels and shade from trees all reduce
heat island effect. A roof with a high SRI, rather than a low SRI, reduces heat island
effect.
2) C
Eutrophication is the ecosystem’s response to excess nitrates or phosphates from
fertilizers or sewage. Therefore, Rainwater Management could prevent runoff (which
contains fertilizers) and prevent eutrophication.
3) B
The ASTM E-1527-05 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment defines contaminated
land, including brownfields.
4) A
The purpose of Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat, is “to conserve natural
areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity”. It does
this by promoting restoration with native or adapted vegetation.
5) A
Open space is defined as the project’s property area minus the development footprint.
Water Efficiency
Green buildings can contribute up to 40% water use reduction. The Water Efficiency
(WE) category aims to promote “efficiency first” by looking at reductions in potable water
through water efficiency alone, then recognizing the use of non-potable and alternative
water sources second.
Take note of the prerequisites and credits in Water Efficiency, as they may appear on
the exam. They include:

Construction)
Prerequisite, Outdoor Water Use 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core
Reduction & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Prerequisite, Building Level Water 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Metering & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Construction)
Outdoor Water Use Reduction Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core
Indoor Water Use Reduction Up to 6 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Cooling Tower Water Use Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Water Metering 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Water Efficiency: Definitions
Potable water: Meets or exceeds the EPA’s standards for drinking water
quality and is approved for human consumption for state or local authorities.
It may be supplied from wells or municipal plumbing systems.
Process water: Process water is water that is used for industrial processes
and building systems, such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can also refer to
water used in operational processes, such as dishwashing, clothes washing, and ice
making.
Graywater: Untreated wastewater that has not come in contact with toilet waste.
Includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks, and laundry machines.
Does NOT include water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers. Governed by the Uniform
Plumbing Code.
Blackwater: Wastewater from toilets and urinals.
Tertiary Standards or Tertiary Treatment: the highest form of water treatment, and
removes phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater.
Note: While technologies are available today, and are in use, to treat raw sewage and
convert it to drinking water, according to LEED, Tertiary Treatment does NOT produce
drinking water.
Water Efficiency Prerequisite: Outdoor Water Use
Reduction
Purpose/Intent: To reduce outdoor water use.
Requirements: Project teams have two options to fulfill this prerequisite: 1) use No
Irrigation, or 2) use Reduce Irrigation by 30% from the baseline, which is determined
by the EPA WaterSense Budget Tool.
Nonvegetated surfaces, such as permeable or impermeable pavement, should be

excluded from landscape area calculations. Athletic fields and playgrounds (if
vegetated) and food gardens may be included or excluded at the project team’s
discretion.
Strategies:
• Drought tolerant species: Xeriscaping (plants that require little or no water),
herbaceous perennials
• Plant density
• Irrigation efficiency: Drip irrigation, weather sensing systems
• Non-potable water reuse: Graywater reuse, rainwater catchment, treated non-
potable water
Definitions:
• Evapotranspiration: Loss of water by evaporation
• Evapotranspiration rate: Amount of water lost to the air via specific plants in a
geographic area, a.k.a. this is the water necessary to grow and/or maintain a
plant
Water Efficiency Prerequisite:
Indoor Water Use Reduction
Purpose/Intent: To reduce indoor water use.
Requirements: Use 20% less water than the

baseline. To achieve this, project teams should
specify that all newly installed toilets, urinals, WaterSense faucets cut water use
private lavatory faucets, and showerheads be by 20% or more, helping to
WaterSense labeled (or a local equivalent for achieve Indoor Water Use
projects outside the U.S.). Reduction.
WaterSense is an EPA program that labels fixtures
that use about 20% less water than other products on the market.
Fixture baselines are based on:

1) Energy Policy Act (EPAct) 1992 and 2005
2) Uniform Plumbing Code
3) International Plumbing Code
Fixtures must use 20% less water than the following baselines:
Fixture Baseline
Toilet 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)
Urinal (commercial buildings) 1.0 gallons per flush (gpf)
Showerheads 2.5 gallons per minute (leq)
Faucets 2.2 gpm for private/kitchen, 0.5 gpm for public
Use appliances that meet the requirements listed in the table below:
Appliance Baseline
Residential clothes washers ENERGY STAR or equivalent

Appliance Baseline
Commercial clothes washers CEE Tier 3A
Residential dishwashers ENERGY STAR or equivalent
Prerinse spray valves < 1.3 gpm
Ice machine ENERGY STAR or equivalent AND use either

air-cooled or closed-loop cooling
Water processes must meet the following requirements:
Process Requirement
Heat rejection and cooling No once-through cooling with potable water

for any equipment or appliances that reject
heat
Cooling towers and evaporative Equip with:

condensers
• makeup water meters
• conductivity controllers and overflow alarms
• efficient drift eliminators that reduce drift to

maximum of 0.002%
of recirculated water volume for
counterflow towers and 0.005% of
recirculated water flow for cross-flow
towers
Water Efficiency Prerequisite: Building Level Water

Metering
Purpose/Intent: As the saying goes “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”. This
prerequisite aims to provide transparency and information to building projects by
tracking building water consumption.
Requirements: To achieve this prerequisite, project teams must 1) Install permanent
water meters in building and on grounds AND 2) commit to sharing water data with
USGBC for 5 years after certification or occupancy, whichever is first
Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use Reduction
Purpose/Intent: To reduce outdoor water use beyond the prerequisite levels.
Requirements: There are two options for project teams to earn this credit: 1) Use “No
Irrigation” or 2) Use “Reduced Irrigation”. In option 1, show that the building does not
require irrigation. In option 2, reduce water irrigation requirements by at least 50% from
the baseline in peak watering.
As with other prerequisites and credits, the EPA’s WaterSense Budget Tool should be
used to calculate savings.
Strategies: Primary strategies should

include xeriscaping or drought resistant
plant species. Alternative water sources
should be considered as should smart
water sourcing technologies.
Nonvegetated surfaces, such as

permeable or impermeable pavement,
should be excluded from landscape area
LEED’s WE categories encourage
calculations.
minimizing the need for irrigation through a
variety of strategies.
Athletic fields and playgrounds (if
vegetated) and food gardens may be
included or excluded at the project
team’s discretion.
Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use Reduction

Purpose/Intent: To reduce indoor water use beyond the prerequisite levels.
Requirements: Project teams may earn this credit, and incrementally higher points for
reducing water use by 25% - 50%
25% = 1 point
30% = 2 points
35% = 3 points
40% = 4 points
45% = 5 points
50% = 6 points (except Hospitality, Schools, Retail, Healthcare)
EP: Indoor Water Use Reduction may earn exemplary performance by achieving 55%
water use reduction.
WE Calculations: Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Occupants
There is some bad information floating around that the LEED Green
Associate exam contains no mathematical calculations. This is incorrect.
Indeed, you may encounter calculations on the LEED Green Associate exam
and it’s important to understand that Indoor Water Use Reduction
calculations are based on Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Occupants.
There are two main ways that occupants are counted:
Daily averages take into account all the occupants of a given type for a typical 24-hour
day of operation.
Peak totals are measured at the moment in a typical 24-hour period when the highest
number of a given occupant type is present.
The calculation for FTE employees is:
FTE employees = Full-time employees + (Σ daily part-time employee hours / 8)
In buildings with irregular occupancy patterns, a better calculation is:
FTE employees = (Σ all employee hours / 8)
These show that each part time employee is worth a fraction of a full time employee.
One who works 20 hours per week is 1/2 a full time employee (40 hours per week).
Regular building occupants include:

• Full time employees/staff
• Part time employees/staff
• Residents
• Primary and secondary school students
• Hotel guests
• Inpatients
• Visitors include:
• Retail customers
• Outpatients
• Volunteers
• Higher education students
Male: Female ratio is 1:1 unless otherwise specified.
Women: 3 Bathroom Trips per day
• Traditional water closet: 3 water closet trips, 0 urinal trips

• Dual flush: 1 big button, 2 small buttons
Men: 3 Bathroom Trips per day
• Traditional water closet: 1 water closet trip, 2 urinal trips

• Waterless Urinal: 1 water closet trip, 2 urinal trips (but no water use)
Water Efficiency Credit: Building Level Water Metering
Purpose/Intent: To find incremental opportunities to save water by monitoring building

water use.
Requirements: Project teams should go beyond building macro level building water
metering and install permanent water meters for two or more subsystems such as
irrigation, plumbing fixtures and fittings, domestic hot water, boiler, reclaimed water, or
other process water.
Water Efficiency Credit: Cooling Tower Water Use

Purpose/Intent: To monitor and improve the efficient use of cooling tower water, which
is a form of process water.
According to USGBC, the volume of process water used in buildings can be greater
than the water that is used for toilet flushing, fixtures and irrigation.
By making cooling towers as efficient as possible, buildings can conserve water used
for cooling tower makeup while controlling microbes, corrosion, and scale in the
condenser water system. LEED encourages cooling tower water to be run through more
cycles, rather than fewer, before blowdown. In some cases, blowdown water may be
captured and reused for irrigation, however it often must be diluted first, which may
defeat the purpose of reuse.
Requirements: To achieve this credit project teams should conduct a one-time potable
water analysis, in order to optimize cooling tower cycles. Measure at least the five
control parameters:
1. Ca (as CaCO3)
2. Total alkalinity
3. SiO2
4. Cl-
5. Conductivity
ASHRAE 189.1 is referenced in Indoor Water Use Reduction for cooling tower and
evaporative condenser requirements.
Quiz: Water Efficiency
1) For the Indoor Water Use Reduction credit, the baseline for lavatory toilets
(water closets) is:
a) 1.2 Gallons per flush

b) 1.6 Gallons per flush
c) 1.4 Gallons per flush
d) 3.8 Liters per flush
e) 5 Liters per flush
2) What does WaterSense certification indicate about a toilet?

a) That the product uses 20% less water than the average toilet on the market
b) That the toilet does not have any leaks
c) That the product uses 40% less water than the average toilet on the market
d) That the toilet is compatible with the LEED project
3) Dual flush toilets save water by:

a) Using less water for solid waste and more for liquid waste
b) Reducing the amount of water in the tank by 50%
c) Using less water for liquid waste and more for solid waste
d) Requiring two flushes per use
4) Which of the following are considered Full Time Equivalent (FTE) occupants
when calculating indoor water use for Indoor Water Use Reduction? (Choose 3)
a) Full time employees
b) Part time employees
c) Construction workers prior to occupancy
d) Retail customers
e) Primary school students
5) The local law prohibits rainwater harvesting, but the LEED project team has
incorporated it into the building design and will be able to earn Water Efficiency
credits by doing so. What should the project team do?
a) Submit a Credit Interpretation Request
b) Request a variance from the local government
c) Pursue rainwater harvesting without contacting the local government or USGBC
d) Eliminate rainwater harvesting from the design
Answers:
1) B
The baseline for toilets (water closets) is 1.6 gpf.
2) A
WaterSense labeled fixtures use about 20% less water than other products on the
market.
3) C
Dual flush toilets conserve water by using less water to flush liquid waste and more
water for flushing solid waste.
4) A, B, and E
Full time equivalent (FTE) occupants include full time employees, part time employees,
residents, primary and secondary school students, inpatients, hotel guests and regular
volunteers. Visitors are considered to include retail customers, outpatients, periodical
volunteers, and higher-education students.
5) D
LEED projects should always adhere to local laws, which have precedence over LEED
prerequisites and credits.
Energy and Atmosphere

Buildings account for approximately 40% of the energy used today. This credit category
intends to promote energy efficiency, then supplementing that reduced energy use with
renewable energy, green power, or a demand response program.
Take note of the prerequisites and credits in Energy and Atmosphere, as they may
appear on the exam. They include:

Credit Points (for new
construction)
Prerequisite, Fundamental 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core
Commissioning and Verification & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Prerequisite, Minimum Energy 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Performance & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Prerequisite, Building-Level Energy 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Metering & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Prerequisite, Fundamental 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Refrigerant Management & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Enhanced Commissioning Up to 6 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Optimize Energy Performance Up to 18 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Advanced Energy Metering 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Demand Response Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Renewable Energy Production Up to 3 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Enhanced Refrigerant Management 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Credit Points (for new
construction)
Green Power and Carbon Offsets Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core
Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite: Fundamental

Commissioning and Verification
Purpose/Intent: The purpose of commissioning and verification is to ensure that the
building systems operate according to the design and the owner’s project requirements
for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.
Note: Commissioning and/or building systems “verification” should improve

the building’s energy use, operational costs, occupant comfort, etc.
LEED not only requires commissioning as a prerequisite to every building

certification, but also offers additional points for projects that complete
advanced levels of commissioning. It is considered to be best practice to engage the
CxA as early as possible in the design process.
Requirements: To earn this credit, project teams should designate an individual as the
Commissioning Authority (CxA). This individual should have commissioning
experience and be unrelated to the project design/construction management. The CxA
reviews owner’s project requirements (OPR) and basis of design (BOD) and develops
commissioning plan. Subsequently, the CxA verifies installation/performance of energy
systems and completes a commissioning report.
Commissioned Systems:
• HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)
• Electrical systems including distribution, lighting and daylighting controls
• Plumbing systems including - Domestic hot water, pumps and controls
• Renewable energy systems
EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance

Purpose/Intent: To achieve a minimum level of energy efficiency.
Referenced Standards:
•ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010 (BD+C) - For LEED BD+C projects.

•ENERGY STAR from the Environmental Protection Agency/EPA (EBOM) -
For LEED O+M projects.
ASHRAE stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Engineers and IESNA stands for Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
Requirements: Project teams compare the proposed building’s energy performance to

a baseline and demonstrate a 5% (for New Construction projects) improvement in the
proposed building energy efficiency. There are three options to fulfill this prerequisite:
• Option 1: Whole Building Energy Simulation - baseline as per ASHRAE/IESNA

Standard 90.1-2010 (BD+C)
• Option 2: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides (prescriptive)
• Option 3: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide (prescriptive)
EA Prerequisite: Building-Level Energy Metering
Purpose/Intent: To create opportunities for efficiency by monitoring building energy use

and report results to USGBC, as necessary.
Requirements: Project teams pursue a strategy to install new (or use existing building-
level energy meters or submeters) that provide data representing total building energy
consumption AND commit to sharing the data with USGBC for 5 years or till the building
ownership and/or lessee changes.
EA Prerequisite: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
Purpose/Intent: To reduce stratospheric ozone depletion.
Reference: Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that required:
By 2010: Phase out CFCs

By 2030: Phase out HCFCs
Understanding the Montreal Protocol and its implications is important. Also

understanding that while all synthetic refrigerants are worse than natural refrigerants
(such as water, CO2, propane, butane, isopentane and ammonia) USGBC considers
HFCs to be the worst in terms of their impact on Global Warming.
Requirements:
New Building: Zero use of CFC refrigerants in HVAC&R
Existing Building: CFC phase-out prior to project completion
Definitions:
• Cholorofluorocarbon = CFC, a type of refrigerant with the most impact on the ozone
layer, high ODP and med-high GWP
• Hydrofluorocarbon = HFC
• Hydrocholorofluorocarbon = HCFC, a type of refrigerant (less harmful than CFCs),
low ODP and medium GWP
• Ozone Depleting Potential = ODP
• Global Warming Potential = GWP
Refrigerant Ozone Effect Note
CFCs High ODP, Med-High GWP Do not use, most harmful
HCFCs Low ODP, Medium GWP Second worst
Zero ODP, Med-High Less harmful than CFC and

HFCs
(Highest) GWP HCFC
Examples: Water, CO2,

Natural Refrigerants
Zero ODP, Low-Zero GWP Ammonia, propane, butane,
(Hydrocarbons - HC)
isopentane, etc.
Natural Ventilation Zero ODP/GWP Best but not always feasible
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) typically have the highest Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Newer HFCs are being developed that offer lower GWP rates than some HCFCs and
CFCs, however, HFCs have zero ODP.
Do not confuse GWP with ODP. A low (or zero) ODP, or Ozone Depleting Potential, is
considered to be more important than a low GWP.
EA Credit: Enhanced
Commissioning
Purpose/Intent: To further ensure that the building
systems operate according to the design and the
owner’s project requirements for energy, water,
indoor environmental quality, and durability.
Requirements: Note: To fulfill the “Enhanced

Commissioning” credit, the CxA can be the owner of
the project or the owner’s representative or a sub-
consultant to the architecture or engineering firm.
Employees of architecture or construction firm

cannot assume the role of CXA for enhanced
commissioning.
EA Credit: Optimize Energy

Performance
A LEED certified office building
Purpose/Intent: To achieve incremental
should use lighting sensors and
levels of energy efficiency beyond the
other energy efficient technology
prerequisite requirements.
to reduce lighting power, such as
during off hours, unlike in this
Note: This credit is the “Where the Prius
conventional building.
Tire Rubber Meets the Road” (so to speak) in terms
of energy performance and the number of points
that may be earned by a LEED project. More points may be earned here than anywhere
else.
By pursuing Option 1 below, LEED BD+C projects may earn as many as 18 points with
this credit, or as many as 16 or 20 points, in the Schools and Healthcare rating systems,
respectively. Fewer, but not an insignificant number of points, is available for projects
that pursue this credit under Option 2.
Requirements: There are two options for project teams may pursue to seek
improvement in energy efficiency compared to the building baseline: Option 1) pursue a
Whole Building Energy Simulation, or 2) pursue “Prescriptive Compliance” whereby
project teams comply with ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guides.
Existing Buildings (O+M projects): Use ENERGY STAR to measure compliance with a
score above 75 in ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager Tool.
International projects: Use ASHRAE Standard 90.1. Existing building projects that are
not eligible for ENERGY STAR should benchmark against national data averages or
historical data. Note: For projects to pursue Option 2, the project team must also pursue
“Option 2” in the Minimum Energy Performance prerequisite.
EP: Achieve at least 54% energy savings (in New Construction, Major Renovation and
Core and Shell projects)
EA Credit: Advanced Energy Metering

Purpose/Intent: To create incremental opportunities for energy efficiency (beyond the
prerequisite levels) by monitoring building energy use and report results to USGBC, as
necessary.
Requirements: Project teams should install advanced energy metering technologies for
(1) all whole-building energy sources and (2) any individual energy end uses that
represent 10% or more of the total annual energy consumption.
EA Credit: Demand Response

Purpose/Intent: Participate in a Demand Response (DR) program to reduce energy
consumption during times of peak demand, while increasing grid reliability.
Requirements: Project teams may pursue one of two DR options 1) Load shedding, or
2) Load Shifting. Note: Demand Response is a concept related to the “Smart Grid”
whereby utilities may reduce demand (and buildings may benefit through financial
incentives) on the fly as necessary during a peak demand “event”.
Note: Using an on-site generator to produce power during an energy load shedding or
shifting event is not an eligible strategy for fulfilling this credit. Teams must commit to a
DR program with a minimum of a one-year contract to shed or shift at least 10% of peak
electricity demand. If a DR program is not currently available where the building is
located, teams may put in place infrastructure to take advantage of future demand
response programs or dynamic, real-time pricing programs.
EA Credit: Renewable Energy Production
Purpose/Intent: To encourage the use of renewable energies, such as solar
photovoltaics and wind power, as an on-site alternative to fossil fuel energy.
Requirements: Project teams have several renewable energy systems options to offset
building energy costs. The calculation for determining the building’s annual
energy costs should use the following: A) Numerator = the dollar value
(equivalent energy cost) of usable energy produced by the renewable energy
system and B) Denominator = the total building annual energy cost.
The result of this equation will provide you with the % of renewable energy (by cost) that
the renewable energy system can produce.
Allowable sources for renewable energy include the following:

1. Photovoltaic (building should own the system, or may lease if the lease is for at
least 10 years)
2. Solar thermal
3. Wind
4. Biofuel (untreated wood waste - including mill residue, agricultural crops, animal
or organic waste, landfill gas)
5. Low-impact hydroelectricity
6. Wave and tidal energy
7. Geothermal energy (heating and electric)
Not acceptable for renewable energy production are:

1. Geo-exchange
2. Passive solar
3. Landfill trash (incineration)
4. Forestry biomass (other than mill residue)
5. Wood coated with paints or plastic
Note: This credit uses energy cost as a measure, not energy consumption or production
in units of kWh, Therms or some other measure.
EP: Renewable energy must account for 15% of total energy in terms of cost.
EA Credit: Enhanced Refrigerant Management

Purpose/Intent: To reduce stratospheric ozone depletion and comply with the Montreal
Protocol.
Requirements: Project teams have two options to fulfill this credit: 1) Use No
Refrigerants or natural refrigerants (as described in the prerequisite above), or 2)
Calculate and minimize refrigerant impact by selecting appropriate, low-impact
refrigerants.
EA Credit: Green Power and Carbon Offsets
Purpose/Intent: To support green power and

engage in carbon offsets while reducing
reliance on fossil fuel energy.
Requirements: Engage in at least a 5-year

renewable energy contract to provide 50% or
100% of building’s energy use from green
power, carbon offsets, or renewable energy
certificates (RECs). RECs (aka Green Tags, or
Renewable Energy Credits) are tradable
commodities representing proof that one Solar photovoltaic panels can be used
megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity was on site to achieve the Renewable
generated by a legitimate renewable energy Energy Production credit or off-site to
source. generate “Green Power”.
Green power and RECs must be Green-e

Certified (Center for Resource Solutions)
Ex. Renewable energy certificates (RECs), tradable renewable certificates (TRCs),
green tags. Carbon offsets must be Green-e Climate Certified.
The baseline
1) Annual electricity consumption from EA Prerequisite, Minimum Energy
Performance OR
2) U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey
Note: Based on energy consumption, not cost

Definitions:
Green power: A subset of renewable energy composed of grid-based electricity

produced from renewable energy sources.
Carbon offset: A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or

sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere (World Resources
Institute).
Scope 1 emissions: Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or

controlled by the entity, such as emissions from fossil fuels burned on site.
Scope 2 emissions: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the generation
of purchased electricity, heating/cooling, or steam off site, through a utility provider for
the entity’s consumption.
Quiz: Energy and Atmosphere

1) Refrigerants are lost to the atmosphere according to which process?
a) Refrigerants are released during the air conditioner manufacturing process

b) Refrigerants are lost because of leaks in refrigeration or air conditioning equipment
c) Air conditioners release refrigerants when they are disposed in the landfill
2) On-site renewable energy is often more expensive than Green Power (such as
renewable energy certificates) because:
a) On-site renewable energy provides fewer energy savings over time than Green
Power
b) On-site renewable energy has high upfront installation and materials costs, whereas
those costs are spread over many customers with off-site green power
c) LEED charges higher certification costs for projects with on-site renewable energy
d) On-site renewable energy requires upfront investment whereas Green Power does
not
3) How is the baseline defined?

a) The amount of energy or water the building would consume if it used the most
sustainable materials available
b) The amount of energy or water the building would consume if it used traditional
materials
c) The lowest possible amount of water or energy the building could consume
d) The highest possible amount of water or energy the building could consume
4) Which of the following does not contribute to a building’s energy efficiency?
a) A vegetative roof
b) Using ENERGY STAR appliances
c) Purchasing green power
d) Natural ventilation system
5) Which is the following is NOT considered on-site renewable energy?

a) Wave and tidal energy
b) Forestry biomass (other than mill residue)
c) Wind energy
d) Landfill gas
e) Low-impact hydro-electric
Answers:
1) B
Refrigerants enter the atmosphere when they leak from air conditioners, refrigerators,
etc.
2) B
On-site renewable energy often costs more up front than green power because of the
additional installation, labor and materials costs to add renewables to an individual on-
site. The costs of green power are distributed across many customers.
3) B
The baseline is the amount of energy or water the building would consume if it used
traditional materials.
4) C
Green power is off-site renewable energy that is purchased through a contract. It does
not affect the building’s energy consumption, only the building’s carbon emissions
(which are reduced through carbon offsets).
5) B
LEED considers wave and tidal energy, wind energy, landfill gas and low-impact hydro-
electric as valid forms of on-site renewable energy. Forestry biomass (other than mill
residue) is not considered a valid form of on-site renewable energy in LEED.
Materials and Resources
LEED encourages buildings to reduce, reuse and recycle. In LEED v4, MR credits
emphasize transparency regarding the composition of building materials, and require
actions that support a life-cycle approach to embodied impact reduction.
Take note of the prerequisites and credits in this credit category, as they may appear on
the exam. They include:

Construction)
Prerequisite, Storage and Collection 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core
of Recyclables & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
PBT Source Reduction—Mercury 0 (Required) Healthcare
Prerequisite, Construction and 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Demolition Waste Management & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Planning Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Building Life-Cycle Impact Up to 5 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Building Product Disclosure and Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Optimization - Environmental & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Product Declarations Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/

Optimization - Sourcing of Raw & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
Materials Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/

Optimization - Material Ingredients & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
PBT Source Reduction— 1 point Healthcare

Mercury
Construction)
PBT Source Reduction—Lead, 2 points Healthcare
Cadmium, and Copper
Furniture and Medical Up to 2 points Healthcare

Furnishings
Design for Flexibility. 1 point Healthcare
Construction and Demolition Waste Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Management & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
MR Prerequisite: Storage and Collection of Recyclables

Purpose/Intent: Reduce waste in landfills.
Requirements: Project teams are required to, at

a minimum, recycle: Metal, Glass, Mixed Paper,
Plastic and Corrugated Cardboard.
In addition, project teams should make efforts for

the safe collection, storage and disposal of two
of the following: Batteries, mercury-containing
lamps (such as CFLs or fluorescent tubes, T5s,
T8s, T12s, etc.) and electronic waste (aka “e-
waste”).
MR Prerequisite: Construction Recycling paper, plastic, glass,

corrugated cardboard and metal is
and Demolition Waste mandatory for LEED certification.
Management Planning
Purpose/Intent: Reduce construction and demolition materials waste in landfills

through recycling, reuse and recovery.
Requirements: Project teams should develop and implement a construction and
demolition waste management plan and define waste diversion goals for the project
by identifying at least five building materials (both structural and nonstructural) to divert
from landfills. Specify whether materials will be separated or commingled.
MR Credit: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction

Purpose/Intent: To reuse existing building materials and/or emphasizing materials
reduction through lifecycle assessment of building materials.
Requirements:
Option 1: Historic Building Reuse (5 points)
Option 2: Renovation of Abandoned or Blighted Building (5 points)
Option 3: Building and Material Reuse (2-4 points)
Option 4: Whole-Building Life-Cycle Assessment (3 points)
EP: Reuse 95% of the building in Option 3; or achieve any improvement over the
required credit thresholds in all six (6) impact categories.
MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization

(BPDO) - Environmental Product Declarations
Purpose/Intent: To reduce greenwashing by rewarding project teams for choosing
products and materials for which life-cycle information is available, while encouraging
manufacturers to provide verified improved environmental life cycle impacts for their
products.
Requirements: Project teams have two options for complying with this credit: Option 1)
Environmental Product Declarations: choose 20 products (from 5 different
manufacturers) that offer “Environmental Product Declarations”, or Option 2) Multi-
Attribute Optimization: Use products with “Multi-Attribute Optimization” for 50%, by
cost, of the total value of permanently installed products in the project.
Note: Product claim validations, certifications and standards are related

concepts, but they are not the same. Validation of a product’s attributes
simply confirms a product’s claim. Certification is a more rigorous form of
validation. Certifications rely on established standards, such as ANSI (the
“American National Standards Institute”) and ISO (the “International Standards
Organization”).
Multi-Attribute Labels (Certifications) offer more comprehensive review of products and

their makeup than Single Attribute labels (Certifications). Multi-Attribute Labels are
offered from organizations such as EcoLogo. An example of a single attribute
certification would be the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC).
Environmental Product Declarations
(EPDs) are available from
organizations such as UL
Environment.
USGBC/LEED views “Industry Wide”

EPDs to be worth 1/2 of a product
(for the purposes of fulfilling the EPD
credit. “Product specific” EPDs are
valued as one whole product for
purposes of fulfilling the EPD credit.
Note: USGBC is rewarding regional The LEED Materials and Resources credit
products here by encouraging category aims to reduce impacts on the built
project teams to use products that environment by encouraging the use of
are sourced within 100 miles of the sustainably sourced and/or harvested materials.
project site by valuing them at 200%
of their contributing cost.
EP: Option 1: Source at least 40 qualifying products from five manufacturers; Option 2:
Purchase 75% by cost, of permanently installed building products that meet the required
attributes.

(BPDO) - Sourcing of Raw Materials
manufacturers to disclose the sources of raw materials and provide verified improved
environmental life cycle impacts for their products.
Requirements: Project teams have two options for fulfilling this credit: Option 1) “Raw
Materials Source Reporting” in which teams use at least 20 different products from 5
separate manufacturers that disclose supplier extraction locations and commit to
responsible land use or Option 2) “Leadership Extraction Practices” in which the project
uses at least 25% (by cost) of total value of permanently installed building products that
comply with at least one of the following criteria:
• Extended producer responsibility: Products purchased from a manufacturer

who participates in an extended producer responsibility program OR is directly
responsible for their extended producer responsibility
• Bio-based materials: Products must meet the Sustainable Agriculture
Network’s Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Raw materials must be tested
using ASTM Test Method D6866.
• Wood products: Wood products must be certified by the Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC)
• Materials reuse: Includes salvaged, refurbished or reused products
• Recycled content: Post-consumer content + 1/2 pre-consumer content
• USGBC approved program
Note: Biobased materials (aka rapidly renewable in LEED 2009) are no longer defined
by their harvest cycle, and are now required to meet the “Sustainable Agriculture
Standard” of the Sustainable Agriculture Network to comply with certain MR credits in
LEED v4.
EP: Option 1: Source at least 40 products from five manufacturers or Option 2:

Purchase 50%, by cost, of the total value of permanently installed building products that
meet the responsible extraction criteria

(BPDO) - Material Ingredients
manufacturers to disclose the ingredients of building materials and provide verified
improved environmental life cycle impacts for their products.
Requirements: Project teams may comply with this credit through one of two options:
Option 1) “Material Ingredient Reporting” use at least 20 different products from 5
separate manufacturers who provide a “chemical inventory”, or Option 2) “Material
Ingredient Optimization” use products valued to at least 25% (by cost) of total
permanently installed building products
(1) Chemical Abstract Service Registration Number (CASRN)

(2) Health Product Declaration (HPD): Discloses objective information about
ingredients in building products and provides information about potential health
hazards associated with the ingredients. An HPD is more about disclosure than
performance.
(3) Cradle to Cradle Certification: A process for managing materials that
emphasizes recycling and reuse at the end of a product or material’s life, rather
than disposal. Products that are Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified may qualify for
contributing to MR credits in LEED v4.
EP: Option 1: Purchase at least 40 permanently installed building products that meet
the credit criteria.
Option 2: Purchase at least 50%, by cost, of permanently installed building products that
meet the credit criteria.
MR Credit: Construction and Demolition Waste

Management
Purpose/Intent: Reduce construction and demolition materials waste in landfills beyond
the prerequisite levels by focusing on recycling, reuse and recovery.
Requirements: Project teams must focus on diverting specific materials streams:

plastic, carpet, paper/cardboard, metal, sheetrock, brick and/or concrete masonry, or
asphalt shingles. There are two options for complying with this credit, Option 1)
“Diversion” divert at least 50% of three streams, or 75% of four streams for 1 or 2
points, respectively. Option 2) “Reduction of Total Waste Material” in which no more than
2.5 lbs or construction waste is generated per square foot of building floor area.
EP: Teams that achieve BOTH Option 1 and Option 2 are eligible for an exemplary
performance point.
Note on LEED v4 for Healthcare and Materials and Resources:
The LEED v4 Materials and Resources (MR) credit category includes certain
specifications for buildings certified under LEED for Healthcare. LEED for Healthcare
aims to reduce the instance of any bioaccumulative, persistent or toxic chemicals in
healthcare settings. Such materials include mercury (present in small quantities inside
some high-efficiency lamps, such as CFLs) as well as cadmium, lead and copper.
Additionally, LEED v4 MR aims to reduce the use of any furnishings (such as

mattresses, foams, fabrics, curtains, window coverings, textiles, etc.), especially in
healthcare environments, for which chemical component and ingredient transparency is
not available.
Quiz: Materials and Resources
1) The Cradle to Cradle certification applies to which LEED credit?
a) Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction
b) Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies
c) Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients
d) Low-Emitting Materials
2) Bio-based products must meet which standard in order to comply with

Sourcing of Raw Materials - Leadership Extraction Practices?
a) Sustainable Agriculture Standard
b) USDA Organic
c) USDA Biopreferred
d) Design for the Environment
3) Which of the following is an example of post-consumer recycled content?

a) Wooden chairs from a yard sale
b) Fly ash bricks
c) Trimmings from a textile factory used to make couch stuffing
d) Flooring made from used car tires
4) Which of the following is NOT considered a material stream to be managed

under Construction and Demolition Waste Management?
a) Landfill soil
b) Paper/cardboard
c) Metal
d) Asphalt shingles
e) Concrete masonry
5) What is the difference between an industry-wide EPD and a product-specific

EPD?(Choose 2)
a) Industry-wide EPDs are generic and product-specific EPDs are specific to one
product
b) Industry-wide EPDs compare the product to others in the industry and product-
specific EPDs use the individual product as the baseline
c) Industry-wide EPDs are valued as one half of a product and product-specific EPDs
are valued as one product
d) Industry-wide EPDs are valued as one product and product-specific EPDs are valued
as one half of a product
Answers:
1) C.
Cradle to Cradle certification is one of the options for complying with Option 2, Material
Ingredient Optimization, in Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material
Ingredients.
2) A.
Bio-based products must meet the Sustainable Agriculture Network’s Sustainable
Agriculture Standard.
3) D
Post-consumer recycled content is waste material generated by households or
commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product.
Examples include newspaper, glass bottles, yogurt containers, construction and
demolition debris, plastic bottles, soup cans, and steel. Used car tires have already
been used by a consumer, so they are considered post-consumer recycled content.
4) A.
Landfill soil is not considered to be eligible to contribute to this credit. Acceptable waste
streams include plastic, carpet, paper/cardboard, clean wood (i.e. not painted or coated
with plastic), metal, sheetrock, brick/concrete masonry and asphalt shingles.
5) A and C.
Industry-wide EPDs are generic and product-specific EPDs are specific to one product;
Industry-wide EPDs are valued as one half of a product and product-specific EPDs are
valued as one product.
Indoor Environmental Quality
According to the EPA, Americans spend nearly 90% of their lives indoors. As such, the
quality of the indoor environment directly impacts the health of a building’s occupants,
and is a critical component of a sustainable built environment. In work environments,
green buildings can enhance human productivity, decrease absenteeism, increase
building value and reduce owner liability.
Take note of the prerequisites and credits in Indoor Environmental Quality, as they may
appear on the exam. They include:

Credit Points(for New
Construction)
Prerequisite, Minimum 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core
Indoor Air Quality Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Performance Distribution Centers
Environmental Tobacco 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Smoke Control Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Minimum Acoustic 0 (Required) New Construction, Schools, Core

Performance Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Strategies Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Low Emitting Materials Up to 3 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Construction Indoor Air 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Quality Management Plan Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Indoor Air Quality Up to 2 points New Construction, Schools, Core

Assessment Centers, Hospitality, Warehouses/
Thermal Comfort 1 point Core & Shell
Interior Lighting Up to 2 points Schools
Credit Points(for New
Construction)
Daylight Up to 3 points Schools
Quality Views 1 point Healthcare
Acoustic Performance 1 point Healthcare
Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Minimum

Indoor Air Quality Performance
Purpose/Intent: Establish minimum standards for indoor air quality (IAQ).
Requirements: Project teams should focus on two primary tasks: Increasing necessary
ventilation and monitoring of the ventilated spaces. Ventilation can be increased either
naturally, with operable windows, or mechanically with variable air volume (VAV)
systems. Monitoring includes installing CO2 sensors within the “Breathing Zone”, which
is between 3-6 feet above the floor. The referenced standard to remember here is
ASHRAE 62.1.
Indoor Air Quality Prerequisite: Environmental Tobacco

Smoke Control
Purpose/Intent: To prevent or minimize exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in

buildings.
Requirements: Project teams must prohibit smoking inside the building, prohibit
smoking outside of the building except in designated smoking areas that are at least 25
feet from entries, air intakes and operable windows and incorporate signage within 10
feet of all building entrances indicating a no smoking policy.
Note: Within LEED for Schools, acoustics are an element of “Indoor Air Quality”. The
objective is to provide classrooms that are quiet, to minimize background noise, echo
and reverberation, to allow teachers and students to communicate effectively without
raising their voices.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Enhanced Indoor

Air Quality Strategies
Purpose/Intent: To promote building occupant comfort, well-being, and productivity.
Requirements: Project teams have multiple options for fulfilling this credit, under two
separate options, as long as they are applicable to the building:
Option 1) “Enhanced IAQ Strategies” - Install entryway systems (such as floor mats) to
absorb dirt; interior cross-contamination prevention (such as exhaust systems for
removing odors or fumes from an area to avoid spreading); filtration media (use MERV
13 or higher filters) to filter air throughout the building; natural ventilation design
(following the guidelines in the CIBSE manual); and Mixed mode design calculations,
according to guidelines in CIBSE.
Option 2) “Additional Enhanced IAQ Strategies” - Exterior contamination prevention;

Increased ventilation; CO2 monitoring; Additional source control and monitoring; Natural
ventilation (room by room calculations).
ASHRAE 52.2 is the Referenced Standard to remember here.
EP: Project teams that achieve both Option 1 AND Option 2, while
incorporating an additional Option 2 strategy are eligible for an additional
point.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Low Emitting

Materials
Purpose/Intent: Reduce exposure of building occupants to concentrations of
contaminants that can damage air quality, human
health and productivity.
Requirements: Project teams are focused on

reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using
Product Category Rules (PCRs) or VOC budgets.
Teams have two options for fulfilling this credit:
Option 1) Achieve the given thresholds of

compliance for interior paints and coatings, interior
adhesives and sealants, flooring, composite wood,
ceilings, walls, thermal & acoustic insulation, and
furniture.
Option 2) Use the Budget Calculation Method, which Low VOC paint contributes to
is a weighted average calculation that includes the Low Emitting Materials.
VOC information for each product (as described in
Option 1). 1 point is awarded for over 50% compliance, 2 points for over 70% and 3
points for over 90%.
Products must also either be inherently non-emitting or tested and determined

compliant by the California Department of Health Standard Method v1.1-2010.
EP: Option 1: Earn all points and reach 100% of products. Option 2: Reach 100% of
products.
Indoor Environmental
Quality Credit: Construction
Indoor Air Quality
Management Plan
Purpose/Intent: Provide consideration for
workers during construction by minimizing
indoor air quality problems associated with
construction and renovation. Indoor pollutants can cause health
problems, which is why LEED limits
Requirements: Project teams must follow, chemical pollutants indoors.
design and implement an IAQ Management
Plan that meets or exceeds the SMACNA
IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction. Teams must also protect
any absorptive materials from moisture exposure (such as keeping them outside) to
prevent mold and use minimum MERV 8 filters per ASHRAE Standard 52.2.
Smoking must be prohibited from inside the building and within 25 feet of the building
during construction
The Referenced Standards to remember here are SMACNA (Sheet Metal

and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association) and ASHRAE 52.2 for
MERV filtration.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Indoor Air Quality

Assessment
Purpose/Intent: Establish better quality indoor air in the building once construction is
complete, and during occupancy.
Requirements: Project teams have two options for compliance with this credit:
Option 1) Building Flush Out” - Once construction is complete, flush the building with at
least 14,000 cubic ft of air per square foot at a constant rate of humidity and
temperature, OR during occupancy flush the building with 3,500 cubic square feet of air
per square foot (before occupancy) and 14,000 cubic feet of air per square foot after
occupancy, while maintaining a constant temperature and humidity.
Option 2) “Air Testing” - Conduct an IAQ test for each contaminant to make sure that it is
below the maximum concentration level for that contaminant.
Under Option 2, testing is per the EPA Compendium of Methods, ASTM standard
method or ISO method.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Thermal Comfort
Purpose/Intent: Promote occupant comfort, well-being and employee productivity

through optimal thermal comfort and individual control.
Requirements: Project teams should provide thermal comfort controls for at least 50%
of individual occupant spaces, and provide group thermal comfort controls for all shared
multi-occupant spaces. The controls should adjust at least one of: air temperature,
radiant temperature, air speed and humidity.
Project teams have two options for fulfilling this credit: Option 1) ASHRAE
Standard 55-2010: Following the standard, design the HVAC system
according to the guidelines in Thermal Conditions for Human Occupancy, or
a local equivalent. Option 2) is to design the HVAC system according to the
ISO and CEN standards for Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment.
The Referenced Standard to remember here is ASHRAE 55-2010.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Interior Lighting
Purpose/Intent: Provide high quality natural and artificial lighting to promote occupant
productivity and comfort.
Requirements: Project teams have two options to earn this credit:
Option 1) “Lighting Controls” offer individual controls for at least 90% of building
occupants, with at least three levels of control: on, off and midlevel. Include lighting
control in all shared multi-occupant building spaces.
Option 2) “Lighting Quality” use light sources with a CRI of at least 80 and minimize
“direct only” overhead lighting to 25% or less of total connected lighting for all regularly
occupied spaces. Use light sources that have a rated life of at least 24,000 hours for
75% of total connected lighting load.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Daylight
Purpose/Intent: Connect building occupants with the outdoor environment through

natural daylight without glare or discomfort.
Requirements: Project teams may demonstrate through computer aided simulation that
designs achieve appropriate sunlight exposure.
Also teams should provide manual or automatic glare-control devices for all regularly
occupied spaces.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Quality Views
Purpose/Intent: Connect building occupants with the outdoor environment by providing

quality views.
Requirements: Achieve a direct

line of sight to the outdoors via
vision glazing for 75% of all
regularly occupied floor area.
75% of all regularly occupied floor

area must have at least two of the
four following kinds of views:
a) Multiple lines of sight to vision

glazing in different directions at
least 90 degrees apart.
Daylighting and views contribute to Indoor
b) Views that include at least two Environmental Quality because they help connect
of the following: (1) flora, occupants to the outdoors and create a healthier,
fauna, or sky; (2) movement; happier space.
and (3) objects at least 25 feet
from the exterior of the glazing
c) Unobstructed views located within the distance of three times the head height of the
vision glazing
d) Views into interior atria may be used to meet up to 30% of the required area.
EP: Project teams that meet the requirements for 90% of all regularly occupied areas
are eligible for an EP point.
Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Acoustic

Performance
Purpose/Intent: To provide workspaces

and classrooms that promote
occupants’ well-being, productivity and
communications through effective
acoustic design.
Requirements: Similar to the concepts

mentioned above regarding LEED for
Schools, the project team should aim to
fulfill this credit by eliminating
background noise, reducing sound
transmission and/or reverberation and
echo, and improving indoor sound
characteristics through a variety of
strategies.
a) HVAC Background Noise: Achieve

maximum background noise levels HVAC systems are a big component of
from heating, ventilating, and air Indoor Environmental Quality, because they
conditioning (HVAC) systems per help to regulate indoor air quality and
2011 ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC thermal comfort. However, they also create
Applications, Chapter 48, Table 1; ambient background noise, which should be
AHRI Standard 885-2008, Table 15; minimized.
or a local equivalent. Calculate or
measure sound levels.
b) Sound Transmission: Meet the composite sound transmission class (STCC) ratings
listed in Table 1, or local building code, whichever is more stringent.
c) Sound Reverberation Time: Meet the reverberation time requirements in the

ASHRAE “Performance Measurement Protocols for Commercial Buildings”, Chapter
9.
d) Sound Reinforcement: For all large conference rooms and auditoriums seating more
than 50 persons, evaluate whether sound reinforcement and AV playback capabilities
are needed.
e) Masking Systems: For projects that use masking systems, the design levels must not
exceed 48 dBA. Ensure that loudspeaker coverage provides uniformity of +/–2 dBA
and that speech spectra are effectively masked.
Quiz: Indoor Environmental Quality
1) Which of the following is not regulated for volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
by LEED?
a) Interior walls
b) Exterior walls
c) Ceilings
d) Flooring
e) Furniture
2) What credits require non-regularly occupied space to be defined? (Choose 2)

a) Daylight
b) Thermal Comfort
c) Quality Views
d) Optimize Energy Performance
3) The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association

provides guidelines for which of the following?
a) Refrigerant management
b) Building envelope energy efficiency
c) Indoor air quality
d) Recycled content
e) Thermal comfort
4) Which factors determine thermal comfort? (Choose 2)

a) Temperature
b) Daylight
c) Humidity
d) Views
e) Proximity to vent
5) What does the ANSI Standard S12.60–2010 standard address?

a) Acoustics
b) Energy efficiency
c) Volatile organic compounds
d) Thermal comfort
Answers:
1) B. Only compounds inside the building are considered for Low Emitting Materials
because VOCs cause poor indoor environmental quality. Outdoors, there is enough air
to disperse the VOCs. However, LEED for Schools does have some consideration for
VOCs in outdoor air.
2) A and C.
Both Daylight and Views must meet certain percentage requirements for regularly
occupied spaces. Therefore, the project team must define regularly and non-regularly
occupied spaces.
3) C
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association’s (SMACNA)
rules apply to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in adhesives, sealants, finishes,
coatings, stains, sealers, etc. VOCs negatively affect indoor air quality.
4) A and C
Temperature and humidity are the two main factors affecting thermal comfort.
5) A.
ANSI Standard S12.60–2010 addresses acoustics and is referenced in the Acoustic
Performance credit.
Innovation
Innovation is a “bonus” credit category. It does not have
prerequisites, only credits, available for a total of six points.
The points are not included in the “base points”, but rather
additional “bonus” points that the project team can opt to
achieve.
According to USGBC, Innovation credits “address

sustainable building expertise as well as design measures
not covered under the LEED credit categories”.
It awards points for using innovative design measures,

exemplary performance (going above and beyond the credit This building’s
requirements) and by having a LEED AP as a principal innovative, energy-
project participant. saving facade is an
example of a strategy
Take note of the requirements in this credit category, as they that could contribute to
may appear on the exam. They include: Innovation.

Construction)
Innovation Possible 5 points New Construction, Schools, Core
LEED Accredited Possible 1 point New Construction, Schools, Core

Professional & Shell, Retail, Healthcare, Data
IN Credit: Innovation
Purpose/Intent: Opportunity to achieve exceptional performance and/or innovative
performance
Requirements: Innovation (1 point per strategy, up to 3 points) Use a strategy not

addressed in the rating system to achieve significant, measurable environmental
performance
• Intent of proposed credit

• Proposed requirements and submittals for compliance
• Design approach used to meet the requirements
Pilot (1 point per credit, up to 3 points)

Achieve one pilot credit from USGBC’s LEED Pilot Credit Library
LEED Pilot Credit: a credit that has not yet been balloted and introduced to LEED, but
can be attempted for one point in Innovation in Design. LEED project teams give
feedback on the credits so that they can be adjusted before the ballot or thrown out.
Exemplary Performance (1-2 points)

Achieve double the credit requirements or the next incremental credit threshold
Credits with Exemplary Performance points available:
Note: Bolded information refers to the exemplary performance thresholds that you
should memorize. These are listed with each respective credit in the guide. Just be
familiar with the rest.
Credit Category Credit Exemplary Performance

Threshold
Location & Transportation High Priority Site By combining option 1 with

options 2 and/or 3, project
teams may earn an
exemplary performance
point.
Access to Quality Transit Project teams may earn an
additional point by doubling
the highest transit service
point threshold
Reduced Parking Footprint Project teams may earn an
additional point by providing
parking capacity that is
60-80% lower than the
stated base ratios (as
described above) and by
incorporating strategies
such as parking space
leasing, pedestrian travel,
bicycles and public
transportation usage.
Threshold
Sustainable Sites Site Development, Protect By doubling the

or Restore Habitat requirements in either
Option 1 or Option 2, the
project may earn an
additional point.
Double the restoration

requirement (60%), or
double the financial
requirement ($.80 per
square foot)
Rainwater Management Manage 100% of rainwater
Heat Island Reduction Achieve Nonroof and Roof

AND Parking Under Cover,
plus 100% of parking under
cover.
Places of Respite Both 10% of program area

as place of respite for
patients/visitors AND 4%
program area for staff
Water Efficiency Indoor Water Use Reduction Achieve 55% water use
reduction.
Energy and Atmosphere Renewable Energy Renewable energy must

Production account for 15% of total
energy (10% C&S)
Materials and Resources Building Life Cycle Impact Reuse 95% of the building
Reduction
Threshold
Building Product Disclosure Source at least 40 qualifying

and Optimization - products from 5
Environmental Product manufacturers OR purchase
Declarations 75% (by cost) of qualifying
installed building products

and Optimization - Sourcing products from 5
of Raw Materials manufacturers OR purchase
75% (by cost) of qualifying

and Optimization - Material products from 5
Ingredients manufacturers OR purchase
75% (by cost) of qualifying
Furniture and Medical Use 50% (by cost) qualifying

Furnishings furniture and medical
furnishings
Construction and Demolition Achieve both Diversion

Waste Management (Option 1) & Reduction of
Total Waste (Option 2)
Indoor Environmental Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Achieve both Enhanced IAQ
Quality Strategies Strategies (Option 1) &
Additional Enhanced IAQ
Strategies (Option 2)
Low-Emitting Materials Reach 100% of products
Quality Views Meet requirements for 90%

of regularly occupied area
IN Credit: LEED Accredited Professional
Purpose/Intent: To support & encourage design integration required by LEED to
streamline the application and certification process
Requirements: At least 1 principal participant of the project team shall be a LEED AP

with Specialty appropriate for the project. Legacy LEED APs (LEED APs without
specialty) are no longer eligible for the Innovation point.
Note: 1 point for 1+ LEED AP with Specialty on the project. No additional points for
incremental increases in additional LEED APs.
Regional Priority
Like Innovation in Design, Regional Priority is another “bonus” credit category with no
prerequisites, only credits. According to USGBC, its purpose is to “address regional
environmental priorities for buildings in different geographic regions”.
There is only one credit in this category, Regional Priority, which you should know for
the exam. The credit is worth up to 4 “bonus” points.
RP Credit 1: Regional Priority
Purpose/Intent: Provide incentive for achievement of credits that address
geographically-specific environmental, social equity, and public health priorities
Requirements: Earn up to 4 out of the 6 Regional Priority credits identified by the

USGBC chapter for each region. (Worth 1 point each)
Quiz: Innovation and Regional Priority

1) How many points can a project earn for having a LEED Green Associate as a
principal participant in the design process?
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
e) 4
2) Which of the following is required when submitting an Innovation credit?

(Choose 3)
a) Intent of proposed credit

b) Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)
c) Proposed submittals for the credit
d) Design approach to achieve the proposed credit
e) Drawings and photographs of the implemented credit
3) Which of the following are examples of how to achieve Innovation credits?

(Choose 2)
a) Achieving all credits in one category

b) Using only ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labeled products
c) Using 95% wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
d) Using a strategy not addressed in the rating system to achieve environmental
benefits
e) Having a LEED Green Associate as a principal project participant
4) Which of the following credits is not eligible for Exemplary Performance?

a) Optimize Energy Performance
b) Daylight and Views
c) Minimum Energy Performance
d) Green Power
e) On-Site Renewable Energy
5) Out of the six available credits in the Regional Priority Category, maximum how
many points can a project earn?
a) 6
b) 5
c) 4
d) 3
e) 1
Answer Key:
1) A. Zero. A LEED project can earn one Innovation in Design point for having a LEED
AP (or multiple LEED APs) as a principal project participant. Projects do not earn points
for having LEED Green Associates work on the project.
2) A, C, and D. When submitting an Innovation in Design credit, the intent of the

proposed credit, proposed submittals for the credit, and design approach to achieve the
proposed credit are required.
3) C and D. Using 95% FSC-certified wood would earn an Innovation in Design point for
exemplary performance. Alternatively, using a strategy not addressed in the
rating system to achieve environmental benefits could achieve a point for Innovation in
Design.
4) C. Minimum Energy Performance is a prerequisite and is not eligible for Exemplary

Performance.
5) C. Out of the six available credits in Regional Priority projects can earn up to 4 points.
Definitions
This is a list of green building and LEED terms that may appear on the exam. Be
familiar with all of terms and how they relate to green building and/or LEED.
• Albedo/Reflectance: Ability of a surface to reflect sunlight on a scale of 0 to 1, with

0 being the least reflective and 1 being the most reflective.
• Baseline: the amount of energy or water the building would consume if it used
conventional materials and design.
• Basis of Design (BOD): The information necessary to accomplish the owner’s

project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality
criteria, design assumptions, references to applicable codes, standards, regulations
and guidelines.
• Bicycle Network: A continuous network consisting of physical bicycle lanes at least

5 feet wide, or streets designed for bicycles, or off street bicycle paths or trails that
are at least 8 feet wide for two way paths or 5 feet wide for a one way path.
• Biobased Material: Commercial or industrial products (other than food or feed) that
are composed in whole, or significant part, of biological products, renewable
agricultural materials (including plant, animal and marine materials), or forestry
materials. For the purposes of LEED, this excludes leather and other animal hides.
• Biodiversity: the variety of life in all forms from the ecosystem level to the genetic
level.
• Bioremediation: the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from water.
• Bioswale: A bioswale is a common stormwater quantity control landscape element that is

designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled
drainage course with gently sloped sides (less than six percent) and filled with vegetation,
compost and/or riprap.
• Blackwater: Wastewater from toilets and urinals.
• Brownfield: A brownfield is a property that is previously developed and that may

have hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants associated with it.
• BUG Rating: A luminaire classification system that classifies luminaires (light

fixtures) in terms of (B) backlight, (U) uplight, (G) glare. This approach comes from
the IES/IDA Model Lighting Ordinance. The BUG Rating is new in LEED v4 and
supercedes former “cutoff ratings” in LEED 2009.
• Chain of Custody (COC) Certificate: companies earn the right to market and sell
products as being FSC Certified and to affiliate themselves with the Forest
Stewardship Council.
• Co-generation: Also known as combined heat and power. It is the production of
heat and electricity from a single fuel source. Electricity generation produces heat,
which is captured and converted into useful thermal energy (steam or hot water).
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP): CHP is an integrated system that captures the
heat, otherwise wasted, that is generated by a single fuel source in the production of
electrical power. Also known as cogeneration.
• Commissioning: the process of verifying that energy systems are installed,

calibrated and performing according to the owner’s project requirements, basis of
design and construction documents.
• Commissioning Authority (CxA): Designated individual who reviews owner’s

project requirements (OPR) and basis of design (BOD), develops commissioning
plan, verifies installation/performance of energy systems, and completes a
commissioning report.
• Construction Carbon Calculator: measures the embodied carbon of the

construction process.
• Cradle to Cradle: A process for managing materials that emphasizes recycling and
reuse at the end of a product or material’s life, rather than disposal. Products that
are Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified may qualify for contributing to MR credits in
LEED v4.
• Cradle to Gate: An analysis of a product’s partial life cycle, from resource extraction
(cradle) to the factory (gate) before it has been transported for distribution and sale.
This omits the use and disposal phases of the product.
• A Credit Interpretation Request (CIR) allows project teams to get technical or

administrative guidance from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a group of
industry experts, on one credit.
• Densely Occupied Space: A densely occupied space has a design occupant

density of 25 people or more per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters), or 40
square feet or less, per person.
• Emissivity: The ratio of radiation emitted by a surface to the radiation emitted by a

blackbody at the same temperature. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 1, with 0
being the most reflective and 1 being the blackbody (least reflective).
• Emittance: Ability of a surface to shed thermal radiation on a scale of 0 to 1, with 0

emitting the least and 1 being a perfect emitter.
• ENERGY STAR: a program developed and administered by the Environmental

Protection Agency and Department of Energy. The label shows that a building uses
less energy, are less expensive to operate, and emit fewer greenhouse gases than
its peers.
• Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): A third party examination of a
product’s environmental impact. Also known as a Type III Label or certification by
ISO.
• EPA WaterSense: WaterSense provides guidance on water efficiency and outlines

the requirements for weather based irrigation controller systems.
• Eutrophication: The ecosystem’s response to excess nitrates or phosphates from

fertilizers or sewage.
• Evapotranspiration: Loss of water by evaporation of soil and transpiration from

plants.
• Evapotranspiration Rate: Amount of water lost to the air via specific plants in a
geographic area, a.k.a. this is the water necessary to grow and/or maintain a plant
• Exemplary Performance (EP): In Innovation in Design, projects can earn extra

points for achieving more than (usually almost double) the credit requirements.
• Floor Area Ratio: the ratio of the total floor area of the building to the lot size of the
site. The higher the floor area ratio, the higher the development density.
• Full Time Equivalent (FTE): calculations used in LEED to estimate the number of
full-time employees, part-time employees, residents and transient visitors (optional
to include) in the building on an average day. Part-time employees count as 1/2 a
full time employee.
• Graywater: Untreated wastewater that has not come in contact with toilet waste.
Includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks, and laundry
machines. Does NOT include water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers. Governed
by the Uniform Plumbing Code.
• Green Guard: Standard for low emitting (low VOC) furniture.
• Green Homes Certification Providers manage and audit the work of the Green
Raters.
• Green Rater: provides verification for LEED for Homes projects.
• Green-e Certified: Off-site renewable energy that is certified and verified by the
Center for Resource Solutions.
• Green Vehicle: One that achieves a minimum green score of 45 on the American
Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide,
or the equivalent standard if the project is outside the U.S.
• Hard cost: Purchase price of a hard asset that is a direct construction cost.
Examples: land, equipment, building materials.
• Health Product Declaration (HPD): Discloses objective information about
ingredients in building products and provides information about potential health
hazards associated with the ingredients. An HPD is more about disclosure than
performance.
• Heat island: The difference in thermal gradient between developed and

undeveloped areas.
• Heat island effect: Absorption of heat by hardscapes such as dark, non-reflective

pavement and buildings, and its radiation to surrounding areas.
• Infill Site: A site where at least 75% of the land area, exclusive of rights of way,
within 1/2 mile of the project boundary is previously developed.
• Integrated Project Delivery: Involving all participants in the design and

construction process as early as possible with an integrated and collaborative
design and construction process
• LEED Interpretations: the USGBC’s rulings on formal inquiries (Credit

Interpretation Requests, or CIRs) submitted by LEED project teams.
• LEED Online contains credit templates. It allows teams to upload documentation

(photos, site plan, floor plan, site rendering, project description), submit Credit
Interpretation Requests, contact customer service, and respond to reviewer
comments.
• LEED Pilot Credit: a credit that has not yet been balloted and introduced to LEED,
but can be attempted for one point in Innovation in Design. LEED project teams
give feedback on the credits so that they can be adjusted before the ballot or thrown
out.
• LEED Project Boundary: Site area affected by the construction, including parking
and open space.
• LEED Online contains the LEED Scorecard, which lists each credit that the project
is attempting. It helps teams to keep track of their LEED certification plan.
• Leq: is the preferred method to describe sound levels that vary over time, resulting
in a single decibel value which takes into account the total sound energy over the
period of time of interest.
• Life Cycle Assessment: A life cycle assessment is an evaluation of the impacts a

product, process or service has on the environment over its lifetime; this process is
defined by ISO 14040-2006 and ISO 14044-2006.
• Light Pollution: Light pollution is wasted light that produces glare or is directed up
toward the sky or away from the building.
• Light Rail: Transit service using 2-3 car trains that is separated from other traffic
and separated by transit stations that are approximately 1/2 mile apart, or more.
• Light Trespass: Obtrusive illumination that is unwanted because of directional

attributes in artificial lighting.
• Non-potable water: Water that does not meet drinking standards
• Non-process (Regulated) Energy: Lighting, HVAC, service water heating, chillers,

boilers, etc.
• Non-regularly occupied spaces: Includes corridors, hallways, lobbies, break

rooms, copy rooms, storage rooms, kitchens, restrooms, and stairwells. These may
be excluded from calculations for glazing factor in Daylight & Views.
• Owners Project Requirements (OPR): Unique to every LEED project is the OPR
which outlines the objectives, concepts and criteria that are determined by the
owner to be important for the success of the project.
• Open Grid Paving System: A grid of structurally sound materials or webbing that
can support loose, typically pervious, substrates including grass or gravel.
• Open Space: Open space is defined as the project’s property area minus the
development footprint.
• Place of Respite: An area that connects building occupants to the natural

environment.
• Plug Loads: Also known as receptacle loads, it is the current drawn by any
electrical equipment that is connected via a wall outlet.
• Pre-Certification: LEED Core and Shell projects may apply for Pre-Certification, for
an additional fee.
• Pre-consumer Recycled Content: Material diverted from the waste stream during
the manufacturing process. Reutilization of materials (i.e. rework, regrind or scrap
generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process
that generated it) is excluded. (manufacturer waste, never owned by a consumer).
Examples: shavings, sawdust, walnut shells, fly ash, over-issue publications,
textile clippings, obsolete inventories.
• Prius Effect: The act of responding to data or real time feedback regarding energy
and/or fuel consumption in a manner that further decreases consumption of said
fuel or energy.
• Process Water: Water used by machines in everyday building operations and by

industrial processes. In building operations large amounts of process water may be
used by on site equipment, such as chillers, boilers and evaporative coolers or
cooling towers, which are part of a building’s base HVAC system.
• Post-consumer Recycled Content: Waste material generated by households or
by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the
product, which can no longer be used for its intended purpose. (consumer waste).
Examples: newspapers, construction and demolition debris, plastic bottles, soup
cans, steel.
• Potable Water: Meets or exceeds the EPA’s standards for drinking water quality
and is approved for human consumption for state or local authorities. It may be
supplied from wells or municipal plumbing systems.
• Process Energy: Power resources consumed in support of a manufacturing,

industrial or commercial process. Process energy is considered by LEED to include
office equipment, computers, laundry washing and drying, kitchen cooking and
refrigeration. Non-process (regulated) energy includes lighting, HVAC, service
water heating, chillers, boilers, etc.
• Process Water: Used for industrial processes and building systems, such as
boilers, cooling towers, clothes washers, chillers, etc.
• Project Boundary: The building’s development footprint.
• Property Boundary: The project’s property line from the tax map.
• PUE: Power Utilization Effectiveness is a measure used by data centers to evaluate

the efficiency of the use of electricity or energy. Specifically how much power is
being used by computing equipment, such as servers, rather than for overhead
related to the building, such as cooling/AC.
• Rapidly Renewable: Building materials made from plants that are typically
harvested in a 10 year or shorter life cycle.
• Regularly occupied spaces: Areas where workers are seated or standing as they
work inside a building.
• Reference Guide: Each rating system has its own Reference Guide with intent,
requirements, and strategies for each prerequisite and credit.
• Rideshare: A passenger car based transit service for at least 4 people, or human
powered conveyance (e.g.. rickshaw) for at least 2 people, and must include
enclosed passenger seating area, fixed route service, fixed fare structure, regular
operation, and the ability to pick up multiple riders.
• Soft cost: Expense that is not considered a direct construction cost. Examples:
engineering fees, architect fees, legal fees.
• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI): Ability of a surface to reject solar heat, on a scale
of 0 to 100 (the higher, the better it is at rejecting solar heat). Combination of
reflectance and emittance.
• Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Biobased materials (aka rapidly renewable in
LEED 2009) are no longer defined by the harvest cycle, and are now required to
meet the “Sustainable Agriculture Standard” of the Sustainable Agriculture Network
to comply with certain MR credits in LEED v4. Learn more at http://
www.sanstandards.org
• Tertiary Treatment: the highest form of water treatment, and removes phosphorus
and nitrogen from wastewater.
• Total Suspended Solids (TSS): Total suspended solids, which are particles that
are too buoyant to settle out of water by gravity, is a measurement of stormwater
quality.
• Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): Volatile organic compounds are chemicals

that vaporize at room temperatures.
• VOC Budget: the measurement of the total VOC concentration in the building’s
indoor air. A VOC budget is allowed for Low Emitting Materials - Paints and
Coatings and Adhesives and Sealants.
• WaterSense Budget Tool: The EPA’s WaterSense Budget Tool is used to estimate
the evapotranspiration rate in inches per month for critical times of year based on a
project’s zip code.
• Xeriscaping: a landscaping method that makes routine irrigation unnecessary. It

uses drought-adaptable and low-water plants as well as soil amendments such as
compost and mulches to reduce evaporation.
Acronym Glossary
This is a list of acronyms commonly used in the green building industry or in LEED.
This glossary will help you to use this guide and to understand the lingo used in some of
the questions on the exam.
• ACEEE: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
• ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Engineers
• BD+C: Building Design + Construction
• BMP: Best Management Practice
• BUG Method: An approach using the BUG (Backlight Uplight Glare) rating for
luminaires. This approach supercedes the former lighting cutoff ratings used in
LEED 2009. This method comes from the IES/IDA Model Lighting Ordinance.
• CFC: Chlorofluorocarbon
• CIR: Credit Interpretation Request
• CxA: Commissioning Authority
• EA: Earth and Atmosphere
• EBOM: Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance
• EP: Exemplary Performance
• EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
• FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FSC: Forest Stewardship Council
• FTE: Full Time Equivalent
• GBCI: The Green Building Certification Institute
• GWP: Global Warming Potential
• HCFC: Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
• HFC: Hydrofluorocarbon
• HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
• ID+C: Interior Design + Construction
• IEQ: Indoor Environmental Quality
• IPD: Integrated Project Delivery
• LCGWP: Life cycle global warming potential
• LCODP: Life cycle ozone depletion potential
• LEED: Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design
• LEFE: Low Emitting and Fuel Efficient Vehicle
• MR: Materials and Resources
• ODP: Ozone Depleting Potential
• RECs: Renewable Energy Certificates
• SCAQMD: South Coast Air Quality Management District
• SRI: Solar Reflectance Index
• SS: Sustainable Sites
• TARP: Technology Acceptance Reciprocity Partnership
• TRCs: Tradable Renewable Certificates
• TSS: Total Suspended Solids
• USDA: US Department of Agriculture
• USGBC: U.S. Green Building Council
• VOC: Volatile Organic Compound
• WE: Water Efficiency
• ZEV: Zero Emissions Vehicle
Photo Credits
In order of appearance:
I. suttonhoo via Flickr

II. Oregon DOT via Flickr
III. jojo nicdao via Flickr
IV. belboo via Flickr
V. Benimoto via Flickr
VI. Joe Schlabotnik via Flickr
VII. Sustainable Sanitation via Flickr
VIII. kumaravel via Flickr
IX. janie.hernandez55 via Flickr
X. kateausburn via Flickr
XI. jeeheon via Flickr
XII. Preservation Resource Center, Advocacy Department, via Flickr
XIII. Rosenfeld Media via Flickr
XIV.William Brawley via Flickr
XV. joe.oconnell via Flickr
XVI.Tappe Libraries via Flickr
XVII.Y via Flickr
XVIII.OestePURPURA via Flickr
100 Question LEED Green Associate Practice Test
1) Which of the following is a preferred site for a LEED building?
f. A pristine site overlooking a marsh

g. A brownfield with solvent contamination
h. An organic farm
i. Habitat for an endangered species
2) A project team is interested in pursuing LEED Platinum Certification for a major

renovation. Which of the following is true?
a. There is an additional fee for Gold and Platinum Level certification

b. There is no registration or certification fee for Platinum Certified buildings
c. The project team must achieve 70 points or more to achieve LEED Platinum
certification
d. LEED Platinum certification requires achieving 80 points or more
3) Which of the following credit categories would potentially add the highest first costs in
a New Building, but also with the quickest payback?
a. Sustainable Sites
b. Water Efficiency
c. Energy and Atmosphere
d. Regional Priority
4) What certification requires a Chain of Custody (COC) number?
a. GreenGuard
b. FSC
c. Green Spec
d. Green-e
5) Which of the following is not a biobased material?
a. Plant material
b. Leather
c. Animal based material
95! © 2014 Green Buildings Online Inc. All Rights Reserved

d. Marine material
6) What standard would a wet applied liquid adhesive need to meet to be eligible for EQ
Low Emitting Materials credit?
a. Green Seal 36
b. Green Guard
c. Green-e
d. South Coast Air Quality Management District
7) The minimum program requirements for LEED certification serve what purpose?
(choose three)
a. To give clear guidance to customers

b. To protect the integrity of the LEED program
c. To reduce challenges that occur during the LEED certification process
d. To assign your project a unique project ID number
8) A reasonable LEED boundary:
a. Is determined by the project team using the LEED Project Checklist

b. Can be shared by two buildings as long as both are LEED certified
c. Must include a permanent building or space
d. Can include adjacent land for open space credit
9) Which of the following are considered soft costs? (choose two)
a. Project drawings
b. Concrete stain
c. GreenGuard Certified furniture
d. Interest payments
10) Which statement is false about minimum program requirements?
a. Must comply with project size requirements

b. Must use reasonable LEED boundaries
c. Must be in a permanent location on existing land
d. Must have a gross floor area of at least 50% of gross land area within LEED
boundary

11) A USGBC logo may be used to indicate: (choose two)
a. That a product meets LEED requirements

b. That a business is a USGBC member
c. That a building is LEED certified
d. That a building is anticipating LEED certification
12) How is density calculated for Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses credit
calculated? (Choose 3)
a. Separate residential density in (dwelling units/acre)

b. Separate Non-residential density in FAR (Floor Area Ratio)
c. Combined density (buildings/acre)
d. Combined density: square footage/acre
13) Who can upload supporting documentation onto LEED Online?
a. The LEED AP and the project Owner

b. The Project Team Administrator
c. The Project Team Member assigned to a given credit
d. The Project Team Administrator and the Project Team Member assigned to a
given credit
14) When local zoning does not define open space, how is it measured?
a. Area within the property boundary minus the development footprint

b. Total area within the property boundary
c. Total area planted with turfgrass
d. Total green roof area in a rural setting
15) Which of the following is true about exemplary performance credits (choose two)?
a. A project could show exemplary performance on each credit

b. Exemplary performance gives a project special certification consideration
c. Exemplary performance is considered meeting the next threshold in percentage
for existing LEED credits measured using percentages
d. Exemplary performance falls under the Innovation credit category

16) Which credit does not have the potential for exemplary performance?
a. Optimize Energy Performance

b. Heat Island Reduction
c. Access to Quality Transit
d. Light Pollution Reduction
17) Which one of the following is not an intent of the Location and Transportation
category?
a. Encourage compact development

b. Promote alternative transportation
c. Encourage development in new areas
d. Connect with existing amenities
18) Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction - Building and Materials Reuse is calculated
by...
a. Weight
b. Cost
c. Volume
d. Surface Area
19) Which are the best ways to reduce potable water in irrigation (choose three)?
a. Reduce lawn (turfgrass)

b. Use irrigation wells
c. Plant or protect native or adapted plants
d. Install drip irrigation
20) What materials are required to be collected under MR Storage and Collection of
Recyclables?
a. Drywall
b. Clean Wood Waste
c. Plastic Bottles
d. Electronic Waste

21) What is true about RECs?
a. RECs directly reduce carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere

b. A project producing on-site renewable energy can sell RECs
c. RECs can be purchased through GBCI
d. Must be third party verified by GBCI
22) Which standard is used to set a baseline for energy performance in LEED v4?
a. ASHRAE 62.1-2007
b. ASHRAE 90.1-2004
c. Energy Policy Act of 1992
d. ASHRAE 90.1-2010
23) Which credit references the SMACNA guidelines?
a. Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control

b. Construction and Demolition Waste Management
c. Construction IAQ Management Plan
d. Storage and Collection of Recyclables
24) Planning for optimum daylighting can help in achieving which other credit?
a. Thermal Comfort
b. Acoustic Performance
c. Green Power and Carbon Offsets
d. Optimize Energy Performance
25) When a project is registered with GBCI, it is provided with the following (choose
two):
a. A GBCI representative contact with direct line

b. Listing on the GBCI website as a project registered for LEED
c. Access to LEED Online
d. A temporary plaque for the project until documentation is completed

26) When is it appropriate to use the language LEED certified?
a. When a project is designed for LEED Certification

b. When a project is awarded a LEED Rating: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum
c. When a professional earns the LEED Green Associate credential
d. When the project’s complete LEED Submittal is under review by GBCI
27) Which of the following would be considered a candidate for Innovation (choose
two)?
a. Providing employee access to public transportation

b. Employee wellness program
c. Food waste composting
d. Using only no added urea-formaldehyde composite wood in the entire project
28) What international treaty was developed to protect the ozone layer by minimizing or
eliminating destructive activities?
a. Clean Air Act

b. Kyoto Protocol
c. Montreal Protocol
d. ISO 14001
29) Which of the following is required for LEED certification (choose two)?
a. A LEED AP
b. USGBC Membership
c. Reduction in water use by 20%
d. Elimination of CFC refrigerants
30)ASHRAE 55 is a reference standard for which of the following credits?
a. Interior Lighting
b. Quality ViewsThermal Comfort
c. Optimize Energy Performance
d. Renewable Energy Production
e. Fundamental Commissioning

31) For which credit might it be necessary and appropriate to use a default energy use/
square foot from the CBECS survey?
a. Optimize Energy Performance

b. Renewable Energy Production
c. Fundamental Commissioning
d. Interior Lighting
32) Which of the following is not true about an energy model?
a. It compares a building’s projected energy use to a given baseline

b. It is based on ASHRAE 62.1-2007
c. It allows for the addition/subtraction of energy efficiency features
d. It is best to introduce energy modeling in design development
33) Renewable Energy Production includes all but... (choose two):
a. Geothermal heat pumps on site

b. Steam from biomass on site
c. Wind turbine on site
d. Renewable energy credits
34) What type of water is included in the definition of graywater by the Uniform
Plumbing Code (choose two)?
a. Bath water
b. Kitchen sink water
c. Bathroom sink water
d. Dishwasher water
35) When should the GBCI LEED Certification fee be paid?
a. At the time of registration

b. At Project Team Administrator’s plaque acceptance
c. At the time the Project Team Administrator submits the construction submittal for
GBCI review
d. After the GBCI review, before comments can be viewed

36) Which credit relies on local/municipal zoning requirements to determine the
compliance option? (choose two)
a. Open Space
b. Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat
c. Reduced Parking Footprint
d. Light Pollution Reduction
37) Which of the following is true about Green-e certification?
a. It verifies that products and materials are produced using fair trade principles
b. It indicates that the product is free of volatile organic compounds
c. It represents that energy is renewable and does not include large hydropower
d. It is a sister organization to the US Green Building Council
38) Interior paints and coatings applied on site must comply with what referenced
standard to be eligible for Low-Emitting Materials
a. South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule # 1113

b. CRI Green Label Plus
c. Green-e
d. General Emissions Evaluation
39) What is an example of a material which should be labeled free of added urea-
formaldehyde?
a. Purple plumbing adhesive on PVC pipes

b. Particleboard in furniture
c. Solid wood flooring
d. Steel door frames
40) A project has boulders on site that were uncovered during construction. They were
incorporated into landscape design and used for a decorative partition. What credit(s)
are the boulders eligible for?
a. Storage and Collection of Recyclables

b. Materials Reuse
c. Construction and Demolition Waste Management
d. Both Materials Reuse and Construction and DemolitionWaste Management

41) Which material(s) below could be referred to as pre-consumer recycled content?
(choose two)
a. Post industrial plastic in office chairs

b. Scrap generated by the manufacturing of tiles reworked into production
c. Beer bottles from a local nightclub melted into a glass countertop
d. Sawdust used in composite wood millwork
42) Which of the following is not true about the US Green Building Council:
a. It is member driven
b. It is a for profit organization
c. It is committee based
d. It is consensus focused
43) Which category is mostly focused on construction activities and input?
b. Water Efficiency
c. Energy and Atmosphere
d. Materials and Resources
44) Which of the following is true about LEED? (choose two)
a. It is the only rating system for green buildings

b. The credits are weighted for their impact on global warming
c. LEED only certifies new commercial buildings but the principles can be applied to
any type of construction
d. The LEED Rating System has been adopted internationally
45) Which activity is not included in the five SMACNA guidelines?
a. Use sweeping compound or wet mop to reduce dust

b. Keep liquid solvents and paints covered at all times as possible
c. Wear hard hats and protective eyewear
d. Schedule construction to minimize interruption to building occupants

46) How many base points are in the LEED v4 Rating System?
a. 69 points
b. 100 points, plus bonus points*
c. 110 points, plus bonus points
d. 100 points, including bonus points
47) What does the Location Value Factor refer to?
a. Value of the property on which the project is located

b. Products which are extracted, harvested and processed within 100 miles of the
site
c. Buildings Salvage Value
d. Total Lifecycle value
48) To be eligible for IN LEED Accredited Professional, which individual can be

considered?
a. The LEED Manager/LEED Administrator

b. The Plumbing Subcontractor
c. The Building Owner
d. All of the above
49) Which one of the following is not true regarding the LEED for Neighborhood
Development Credit?
a. Building can be located in a LEED Certified Project - Neighborhood Development

b. Building can be located in a LEED Certified Plan - Neighborhood Development
c. Building achieving this credit can also attempt the surrounding density and
diverse uses credit
d. Points vary depending upon the certification level of the Neighborhood
Development Project
50) What strategies should be considered as an approach to Wastewater Management

(choose two)?
a. Xeriscaping, water efficient landscaping

b. Composting Toilets
c. On site wastewater treatment
d. Divert wastewater to the storm drain

51) There are two levels of requirements (a Prerequisite and a Credit) in what area?
(Choose two)
a. WE: Indoor Water Use Reduction

b. MR: Storage & Collection of Recyclables
c. EQ: Controllability of System
d. EA: Building Systems Commissioning
52) What part of concrete is replaced with fly ash?
a. Gravel
b. Lime
c. Cement
d. Water
53) An economizer cycle in a HVAC system would likely contribute to which credit?
a. EQ Thermal Comfort
b. EQ Daylighting
c. EA Fundamental Refrigerant Management
d. EA Optimize Energy Performance
54) Which material should not be considered when determining the total VOC content
for the project?
a. Vinyl Flooring
b. Subfloor adhesive
c. Exterior rust paint
d. Recycled carpet
55) Establishing a baseline case is necessary to demonstrate compliance with the

requirements of which three credits? (Choose three)
a. WE Outdoor Water Use Reduction

b. EQ, Thermal Comfort
c. EA, Optimize Energy Performance
d. WE, Indoor Water Use Reduction

56) Which refrigerant is most damaging to the ozone layer?
a. HFCs
b. CFCs
c. HCFCs
d. Halon
57) Which of the following would qualify as a High Priority Site?
a. Prime Farmland
b. Project in a historic district
c. Wetland
d. Parkland
58) After a project is registered, the LEED Administrator configures a project by...
(choose three):
a. Inviting each team member to LEED Online

b. Assigning each team member a role on LEED Online
c. Uploading a copy of the preliminary project checklist
d. Officially attempt all credits on LEED Online that the project team marked as
“yes”
59) Which of the following is false about the LEED Scorecard?
a. It is referred to as a Project Checklist

b. It is available on the USGBC website and LEED online
c. A copy of the LEED Scorecard should be turned in with the LEED Submittal
d. It should be updated throughout design and construction phases of the project
60) Which of the following is not true regarding the Bicycle Facilities Credit?
a. Encourages physical activity

b. Requires a bicycle network connecting diverse uses or a bus / rail station
c. Requires short term bicycle storage for at least 15% of the visitors
d. Requires at least one shower with changing facility for the first 100 users

61) In what section of the Reference Guide will one find information about the regional
differences with a particular credit?
a. Requirement
b. Submittals
c. International Tips
d. Regional Priority
62) Which of the following activities shows a direct environmental improvement?
a. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

b. Sourcing recycled content materials
c. Reducing stormwater runoff
d. Measuring energy use in the building
63) What is included in calculating landscape area?
a. Building footprint
b. Paved surfaces
c. Water bodies
d. Undeveloped area
64) Which value should be increased for LEED potential of glass?
a. U-value
b. Visual transmittance
c. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
d. Emissivity
65) A parking lot with 50% or more pervious pavers may contribute to which of the
following credits depending on the soil type (choose two)?
a. SS Heat Island Reduction

b. SS Rainwater Management
c. SS Reduced Parking Footprint
d. SS Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

66) What is the best method of comparing the efficiency of HVAC systems?
a. SEER
b. EER
c. Kw/ton
d. COP
67) WE Outdoor Water Use Reduction requires a calculation with which method?
a. Water Sense Water Budget Tool

b. Water Sense Label
c. Landscape Calculator
d. Local Rainfall amount
68) Which of the following strategies can help achieve the Reduced Parking Footprint
Credit? (Choose 3)
a. Choosing a site with access to public transport

b. Providing Carpooling
c. Scheduling compressed work-week for the employees
d. Providing green vehicle charging points
69) To use the LEED New Construction Rating System, a project owner or tenant must
occupy at least ___ % of a building?
a. 40%
b. 75%
c. 50%
d. An owner or tenant must occupy 100% of a building
70) A building has large open offices, which combination of whole building strategies is
the best for achieving daylighting percentage (choose three)?
a. Glare control devices, such as blinds

b. Maximize floor plate
c. Increased daylight glazing
d. Increased vision glazing

71) What are the options with submitting a LEED project for GBCI review? (Choose 2)
a. Project team administrator can submit one credit at a time as the documentation
is complete
b. Project team administrator can submit the design documentation, then the
construction documentation
c. Project team administrator can submit the entire project: design and construction,
at the same time
d. Before submitting, it is recommended that the project team administrator contact
the project’s GBCI contact to verify compliance with the attempted credits
72) What are the benefits of a green roof (choose 2)?
a. Reduces fossil fuel dependency by producing clean power on-site

b. Indicates that a building is designed per LEED standards
c. Assists with Rainwater Management
d. Reduces the heat island effect
73) What is the definition of non-regularly occupied space (choose two)?
a. Conference room
b. Kitchen
c. Lobbies
d. Open office area
74) What credits require non-regularly occupied space to be defined? (Choose 2)
a. EQ Daylight
b. EQ Thermal Comfort
c. EQ Quality Views
d. EQ Optimize Energy Performance
75) To reduce the energy demand of a building, which of the following are possible
strategies (choose three)?
a. Shade outdoor condensers

b. Increase the U value of the windows
c. Specify a high SRI roofing material

d. Use daylight sensors
76) For EQ Thermal Comfort, which of the following is true:
a. Operable windows may be used as a thermal comfort control

b. One thermostat must be provided per building floor
c. Occupants must complete an anonymous survey regarding thermal comfort
satisfaction
d. Only applies to mechanically ventilated spaces
77) Why is a LEED AP helpful on a project (choose two)?
a. To streamline the application/certification process

b. To regularly communicate with the USGBC
c. To encourage project team integration
d. To bridge the gap between design and construction
78) What is different about LEED/green building as compared with conventional

building?
a. Greater construction costs

b. An integrated design process
c. Must go through a detailed documentation and certification
d. Construction equipment must be low emitting or use biofuels
79) Which credit would be applicable to a copy room with a dedicated exhaust, self
closing door, and deck to deck partitions?
a. EQ Low Emitting Materials

b. EQ Minimum Acoustic Performance
c. EQ Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies
d. EQ Thermal Comfort
80) Which is true about the environmental impact of buildings?
a. Buildings built today have a greater environmental impact than those built 20
years ago
b. Buildings consume more than 30% of total energy in US

c. Students in daylit schools are typically more distracted than those in conventional
schools
d. LEED Certified Buildings have a net positive environmental impact
81) For which project type is it necessary and appropriate to use default occupancy
counts?
a. New Construction, Schools

b. Core and Shell
c. Owner occupied major renovation
d. Commercial Interiors, Retail
82) Heat islands effects can be mitigated by... (choose two)
a. Reducing the amount of glazing relative to floor area

b. Replacing asphalt with gravel
c. Planting quick growing trees to shade parking areas
d. Encouraging bicycle use by occupants
83) What factors are considered in determining lifecycle cost (choose three)?
a. First costs (less resale investment)

b. LEED documentation cost
c. Maintenance and repair cost
d. Operational and replacement cost
84) What is appropriate activity to schedule at the beginning of a LEED project (choose
two)?
a. Calculate the time required to perform a building flush-out

b. Record the Owner’s Project Requirements
c. Select a commissioning agent
d. Draft a construction waste management plan
85) If wood paneling was installed on the interior walls in an existing building which was
undergoing a major renovation, and that wood paneling was removed and re-installed
as flooring in the entryway, which credit would this material be eligible to contribute to?
(Choose 2)

a. Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Sourcing of Raw Materials
b. Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning
c. Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Environmental Product
Declarations.
d. Design for Flexibility
86) Which of the following strategies can help in reducing the peak demand of
electricity? (Choose 3)
a. Turning off decorative features

b. Rescheduling housekeeping activities from peak demand time
c. Increasing cooling set-points for a given period
d. Installing energy meters
87) A building has stainless steel water efficient flush and flow fixtures. How many
prerequisites/credits will these fixtures contribute to (including Exemplary
Performance)?
a. 1 Prerequisite/2 Credits in Water Efficiency

b. 0 Prerequisites/4 Credits in Water Efficiency
a. 1 Prerequisite/2 Credits in Water Efficiency
c. 1 Prerequisite/4 Credits in Water Efficiency and 3 Credits in Recycled Content
88) A building at a zoological park is pursuing LEED Certification. It features a rainwater

garden, biological wastewater treatment, and a green roof. Which credit(s) would you
expect the project to be eligible to achieve?
a. Rainwater Management
b. Outdoor water use Reduction
c. Heat Island Reduction
d. All of the above
89) Which of the following statements is true?
a. The LEED Green Associate credential is also called the LEED GA

b. Ten LEED APs with relevant speciality who work on a project are worth 1
Innovation point
c. A candidate must have worked on a LEED project to take the LEED AP exam
d. USGBC administers the LEED credentialing exams

90) Composting toilets contribute to how many prerequisites and credits in the Water
Efficiency credit category?
a. 1 prerequisite, 1 credit
b. 0 prerequisites, 2 credits
c. 1 prerequisite, 4 credits
d. 2 prerequisites, 3 credits
91) Which of the following credit categories focuses on hazardous airborne particles
and occupant health?
b. Indoor Environmental Quality
c. Materials and Resources
d. Energy and Atmosphere
92) What is the definition of lighting schedule, in the context of construction drawings?
a. Assembly of materials used in the lighting fixtures

b. The order and relative timeframe of lighting installation on site
c. The types and numbers of all lighting fixtures in the project*
d. The manufacturer names and contact information
93) A retail store has a 10,000 square foot manufacturing factory. For it to be
considered a densely occupied space, it needs to have more than ___ occupants.
a. 25
b. 50
c. 250
d. 500
e. 1000
94) A wooden door is taken from a barn and installed as a door on a new office space.
In terms of LEED, this material is considered...:
a. Recycled
b. Salvaged
c. Waste

d. Refurbished
95) The Uniform Plumbing Code... (Choose 2)
a. Determines which commissioning agents can commission the building’s water

cisterns
b. Created the WaterSense program
c. Governs graywater
d. Helps define the water use baseline for LEED
96) Which of the following are voluntary? (Choose 2)
a. Energy Policy Act of 1992

b. LEED certification
c. Zoning codes
d. Provincial laws
e. EPA’s ENERGY STAR
97) How many points is Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction,
worth?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
a. 3
d. 4
98) Which of the following credit categories does not contain a prerequisite?
b. Regional Priority
c. Water Efficiency
d. Indoor Environmental Quality
99) Which LEED rating system has a unique pre-certification process?
a. LEED for Homes

b. Core and Shell
c. New Construction
d. Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance
100) Which type of LEED building cannot be re-certified under LEED Building
Operations + Maintenance - Existing Buildings?
a. Buildings that have already been certified under LEED Building Operations +
Maintenance - Existing Buildings for
b. LEED for New Construction, Platinum
c. LEED for Schools, Certified
d. Any LEED building can be re-certified under LEED Building Operations +
Maintenance - Existing Buildings

Answer Key
1. Answer B:
Developing on a brownfield would contribute to LT Credit High Priority Site

Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide SS c1: Site Selection Credit Requirements
2. Answer D:
Buildings must achieve at least 80 points to earn LEED Platinum.
3. Answer C:
Energy efficient technologies and (especially) on-site renewable energy production can
have high up-front costs, but they can also have the fastest payback because of high
energy prices.
4. Answer B:
Wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council has a chain of custody
certificate. It is required for MR Credit Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—
Sourcing of Raw Materials. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Requirements
5. Answer B:
Biobased materials are commercial or industrial products (other than food or feed) that
are composed in whole, or in significant part, of biological products, renewable
agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials), or forestry
materials. For the purposes of LEED, this excludes leather and other animal hides.
6. Answer D:
Wet applied Liquid adhesives must meet the South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD) requirements to be eligible for EQ Credit Low Emitting Materials.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EQ c4.1 Low Emitting Materials,
Adhesives and Sealants, Requirements
7. Answer A, B, C:
According to GBCI, the MPRs serve the purpose of giving clear guidance to customers,
protecting the integrity of the LEED program, and reducing challenges that occur during
the LEED process. Reference: Minimum Program Requirements, GBCI Website
(www.gbci.org)

8. Answer C:
The minimum program requirements demand a reasonable LEED boundary with a

permanent building or space. Reference: Minimum Program Requirements, GBCI
Website (www.gbci.org)
9. Answer A, D:
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Glossary, soft costs

A hard cost is the purchase price of a hard asset that is a direct construction cost.
Examples include land, equipment, and building materials. A soft cost is an expense
that is not considered a direct construction cost, such as architect fees, engineering
fees and legal fees. In this case, project drawings and interest payments are soft costs.
10. Answer D:
Must have a gross floor area of at least 50% of gross land area within LEED boundary
is not an MPR. Reference: Minimum Program Requirements, GBCI Website
(www.gbci.org)
11. Answer B, C:
Answer: The USGBC logo may be used to indicate that a business is a member of
USGBC or that a building is LEED certified. It may not be used prior to actual
certification from GBCI. Reference: USGBC website: Logo Guidelines
12. Answer A, B, D:
Answer: Density can be calculated as Combined density: square footage/acre or as

separate residential (DU/acre) and non-residential densities (FAR). Reference: LEED v4
BD+C Reference Guide.
13. Answer D:
Answer: The Project Team Administrator and the Project Team Member assigned to a
given credit are able to upload supporting documentation for that credit on LEED
Online. Reference: LEED Online FAQs.
14. Answer A:

Answer: Open space is defined as the area within the property boundary but minus the
development footprint, according to LEED. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference
Guide, Glossary, Open Space.
15. Answer C, D:
Answer: Exemplary performance credits are awarded to projects that go above and
beyond the credit threshold requirements and achieve the next level of performance.
Projects are awarded an extra point in Innovation for Exemplary Performance.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Innovation
16. Answer D:
Answer: Light Pollution Reduction is not eligible for exemplary performance. Reference:
LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits, Exemplary Performance.
17. Answer C:
Answer: The Location and Transportation (LT) category promotes thoughtful decisions
about building location, with credits that encourage compact development, alternative
transportation, and connection with amenities.
18. Answer D:
Answer: Reused Building materials are calculated by surface area. Reference: LEED v4
BD+C Reference Guide, Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction Credit
19. Answer A, C, D:
Answer: Irrigation wells do not save water, they just provide water for irrigation.
Reducing the lawn, planting native or adapted plants (that should survive with local
rainfall) and installing drip irrigation (waters directly at the roots) can reduce potable
water use for irrigation. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Outdoor Water
Use Reduction.
20. Answer C, D:
Answer: At a minimum, metals, paper, plastic, glass and cardboard must be recycled
forMR, Storage and Collection of Recyclables. Batteries, mercury-containing lamps,
and electronic waste also need to be collected for safe disposal. Reference: LEED v4
BD+C Reference Guide, MR Storage and Collection of Recyclables, Requirements.
21. Answer B:

GBCI does not sell or verify RECs. However, a project that produces on-site renewable
energy could sell renewable energy certificates, since they are producing that energy.
RECs indirectly reduce carbon dioxide by offsetting the emissions of traditional energy
sources. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Glossary, RECs.
22. Answer D:
Answer: ASHRAE 90.1-2010 is used to set a baseline for EA Minimum Energy

Performance. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EA Optimize Energy
Performance, Referenced Standards.
23. Answer C:
Answer: EQ Credit Construction IAQ Management Plan says that the indoor air quality
management plan must meet or exceed Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National
Contractors Association (SMACNA) IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under
Construction. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EQ c3.1 Construction IAQ
Management, During Construction, Implementation.
24. Answer D:
Answer: Planning to use daylight optimally will reduce the need for artificial lighting. This
reduces the energy demand of the building.
25. Answer B, C:
Answer: When a project is registered with GBCI, it is provided with access to LEED
online and is registered and listed on the GBCI website. However, project teams should
contact GBCI through LEED Online, not a direct line, and plaques are only given to
certified buildings. Reference: GBCI Website (www.gbci.org), project certification.
26. Answer B:
Answer: A building project is only called “LEED certified” when it has been awarded a
LEED rating by GBCI. Buildings, not people, can become certified. Reference: GBCI
Website (www.gbci.org), project certification.
27. Answer B, C:
Answer: Innovation credits apply to strategies not used in the rating systems, but can
have a significant, quantifiable environmental performance. Since employee wellness
programs and food waste composting are not addressed in the LEED rating systems,
they could potentially contribute to Innovation. The other choices are already

addressed in the rating systems. Reference: USGBC Website (www.usgbc.org),
Innovation Credit Catalog.
28. Answer C:
Answer: The Montreal Protocol called for a complete phase out of CFCs by 2010 and a
complete phase out of HCFCs by 2030. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide,
EA Fundamental Refrigerant Management, Referenced Standard.
29. Answer C, D:
Both reduction in water use by 20% and elimination of CFC refrigerants are LEED
prerequisites, which are required for LEED certification. A LEED AP can contribute to
Innovation, which is optional but not required. USGBC membership can help reduce
GBCI fees, but is not required for certification. Reference: LEED Project Scorecard,
Prerequisites and Credits.
30. Answer B:
Answer: ASHRAE 55 refers to thermal comfort and is referenced in Thermal Comfort.

Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Resources. ASHRAE 55: Thermal
Comfort for Human Occupancy.
31. Answer B:
Answer: Renewable Energy Production allows the project team to calculate the baseline
either the building’s annual energy use from EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy
Performance or from the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits, Calculations.
32. Answer B:
Answers: While the design of a building may be based on ASHRAE 62.1-2007, the
energy model is not based on the standard, only the actual anticipated or actual energy
use of the building. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EA c1 Optimize
Energy Performance, Energy Model.
33. Answer A, D:
Answer: According to LEED, the following are eligible for on-site renewable energy:
Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Wind Energy, Wave/Tidal Energy, Low Impact Hydro-
electric, Geothermal Heating and Electric, Some Biofuels (Agricultural crops or waste,
animal waste, landfill gas, and untreated wood waste/mill residue). Passive Solar, Geo-
exchange (Ground Source Heat Pumps), Combustion of Municipal Solid Waste (Landfill

Trash), Treated Wood, and Forestry Waste (other than mill residue) are not eligible.
Renewable energy credits count toward Green Power and Carbon Offsets, not
Renewable Energy Production. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide,
Renewable Energy Production, Requirements
34. Answer A, C:
Answer: The Uniform Plumbing Code defines untreated wastewater as water that has
not come in contact with toilet waste. Includes used water from bathtubs, showers,
bathroom sinks, and laundry machines. Does NOT include water from kitchen sinks or
dishwashers. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Glossary, Graywater.
35. Answer C:
Answer: The LEED certification fee is paid when the Project Team Administrator submits
the construction submittal for GBCI review. Reference: GBCI Website (www.gbci.org)
Registration and Certification.
36. Answer A, C:
Answer: Municipal or local zoning laws may require a certain amount of parking, which
could hurt a project’s chance of earning Reduced Parking Footprint. The site’s zoning
may also limit the available open space for the project. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C
Reference Guide, Individual Credits, Requirements.
37. Answer C:
Answer: Green-e certification is used to represent valid sources of renewable energy

that can be purchased as green power. It is not a sister organization of USGBC.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Renewable Energy Production.
38. Answer D:
Answer: LEED uses the General Emissions Evaluation for low emitting aerosol Interior
paints and coatings applied on site in EQ Credit Low Emitting Materials.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EQ c4.2 Low Emitting Materials, Paints
and Coatings, Requirements, Referenced Standards.
39. Answer B:
Answer: Urea formaldehyde typically appears in adhesives and pressed-wood products.

These are found in furniture with veneer finishes or composite wood cores.

40. Answer B:
Answer: Diverting excavated land or soil does not count toward Construction Waste
Management. However, reusing the boulder on-site can be considered Materials
Reuse. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits,
Implementation.
41. Answer A, D:
Answer: Pre-consumer recycled content is material diverted from the waste stream
during the manufacturing process. Examples include sawdust, walnut shells, fly ash,
over-issue publications, textile clippings and obsolete inventories. Reference: LEED v4
BD+C Reference Guide, Glossary, Pre-consumer content.
42. Answer B:
Answer: USGBC is a nonprofit organization that is member-driven, committee-based

and consensus-focused. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, USGBC
Membership.
43. Answer D:
Answer: Materials and Resources focuses on construction waste management and the
materials that are “inputs” in the project. Reference: LEED Project Scorecard, LEED v4
BD+C Reference Guide.
44. Answer B, D:
Answer: The points allotted to credits in LEED are weighted based on their
environmental impact, and the rating systems have been used in 130 countries. There
are other rating systems for green buildings, such as Green Globes. LEED for Homes
specifically addresses residential, rather than commercial buildings. Reference: USGBC
website (www.usgbc.org), LEED FAQs, LEED v4 reweighting.
45. Answer C:
Answer: The SMACNA guidelines are for indoor air quality of buildings under
construction, which are meant to protect occupant health. It is meant to address the
indoor air quality of the building, not the safety of the workers, so it does not include
hard hat and protective eyewear requirements. Reference: EQ Construction Indoor Air
Quality Management Plan, SMACNA Guidelines, Referenced Standards.
46. Answer B:

The LEED v4 rating systems each have 100 base points, plus extra bonus points
available for Innovation and Regional Priority. Reference: LEED Project Scorecard.
47. Answer B:
Several credits in the MR section include a location valuation factor, which adds value to
locally produced products and materials. The intent is to incentivize the purchase of
products that support the local economy. Products and materials that are extracted,
manufactured, and purchased within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the project are
valued at 200% of their cost (i.e., the valuation factor is 2). Reference: LEED v4 BD+C
Reference Guide.
48. Answer D:
A LEED AP can contribute an Innovation in Design point to the project if he or she is a

principal project participant and is included in the project registry, no matter what the
role. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, IN LEED Accredited Professional.
49. Answer C:
Answer: Buildings achieving points for this credit cannot apply for any other credits in
Location and Transportation Category.
50. Answer B, C:
Answer: These credits suggest reducing wastewater generation through water

conserving fixtures or treating wastewater to tertiary standards. Composting toilets
contribute to reducing wastewater generation, while wastewater treatment meets the
other option for compliance. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Outdoor
Water Use Reduction and Indoor Water Use Reduction.
51. Answer A, D:
Answer: Indoor Water Use Reduction is both a prerequisite and a credit, and building
systems commissioning is both a prerequisite (“Fundamental Commissioning and
Verification”) and credit (“Enhanced Commissioning”). Reference: LEED Project
Scorecard.
52. Answer C:

Answer: Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion, and can be used as an alternative
for cement in concrete. Reference: LEED v3 BD+C Reference Guide, MR c4 Recycled
Content, Calculations.
53. Answer D:
Answer: An economizer, also known as a heat exchanger, can contribute to Optimize

Energy Performance because they make HVAC systems more efficient. The system
should contribute the same amount of thermal comfort and controllability, regardless of
whether the economizer is a part of it, because all it does is supply heating or cooling
more efficiently. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EA c1 Optimize Energy
Performance, Technologies and Strategies.
54. Answer C:
Reference: LEED v3 BD+C Reference Guide, EQ credits Only compounds used inside
the vapor barrier are assessed for VOC content.
55. Answer A, C, D:
Answer: These three credits require a percentage reduction below a baseline. Thermal
Comfort references a standard but does not need comparison with a baseline.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Calculations.
56. Answer B:
CFCs are the most harmful to the ozone layer because they have the highest ozone
depletion potential (ODP). Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EA Enhanced
Refrigerant Management.
Refrigerant Ozone Eﬀect Note
High ODP,
CFCs Do not use, most harmful
Med-High GWP
HCFCs Low ODP, Medium GWP Second worst
HFCs Zero ODP, Med-High (Highest) GWP Less harmful than CFC and HCFC

Refrigerant Ozone Eﬀect Note
Natural Refrigerants (Hydrocarbons - Examples: Water, CO2, Ammonia,

Zero ODP, Low-Zero GWP
HC) propane, butane, isopentane, etc.
Natural Ventilation Zero ODP/GWP Best but not always feasible
57. Answer B:
The High priority site credit encourages project location in areas with development
constraints but are preferred including infill location in a historic district. Other
mentioned options are sensitive sites and not preferred.
58. Answer A, B, D:
Answer: The LEED Administrator should invite team members and assign them roles on
LEED online. The checklist does not need to be uploaded to LEED Online, though it
should serve as a reference to the team for which credits they are attempting.
Reference: LEED Online (www.leedonline.com).
59. Answer C:
The LEED Scorecard helps the team keep track of the credits the project is attempting,
but does not need to be submitted to GBCI. Reference: LEED Process, Purpose of
LEED Scorecard.
60. Answer C:
Answer: Requires short term bicycle storage for at least 2.5% of all peak visitors.
61. Answer C:
Answer: The International Tips section of the Reference Guide contains information
about the regional differences of a particular credit. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C
Reference Guide, Individual Credit, International Tips.
62. Answer C:

Reducing stormwater runoff has a direct environmental improvement, because it
prevents water pollution. Purchasing RECs, using materials with recycled content, and
energy efficiency have indirect environmental improvements. Reference: Understanding
of environmental concerns.
63. Answer D:
Answer: Landscape area of the site is the total site area less the building footprint,
hardscape area, water bodies, etc. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide,
Glossary, Landscape Area.
64. Answer B:
Answer: U-value, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and Emissivity should be low from an
energy efficiency perspective. Visual transmittance (Tvis) should be high from a
daylighting perspective. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, EA c1 Optimize
Energy Performance, Energy Modeling.
65. Answer A, B:
Answer: Pervious pavement can reduce heat island effect (by reducing the amount of
solar heat radiated) and control the amount of stormwater by allowing it to filter through
the ground. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits Related
Credits Tips.
66. Answer A:
Answer: The efficiency of air conditioners is often rated by the Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Reference: General Green Building Knowledge, Energy Star
Building Upgrade Manual.
67. Answer A:
Answer: The Credit requires calculating water use as a percentage of total irrigation
and peak-month irrigation demand using the WaterSense Water Budget Tool.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, WE Outdoor Water Use Reduction.
68. Answer A, B, C:
Providing green vehicle charging points does not directly reduce the number of vehicles
coming to the site, whereas the other three options support in reducing the number of
individual vehicles coming to the site.

69. Answer C:
The project owner or tenant must occupy at least 50% of the building to use the New
Construction Rating System. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Overview
and Process, xiii.
70. Answer A, C, D:
Minimizing the floorplate (making the building more rectangular than square) helps
increase daylighting. The intent is to align the east-west axis so that the southern sun
will penetrate deeper into the building, allowing for more daylight to occupied spaces.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Daylighting and Quality Views.
71. Answer B, C:
Answer: The LEED Project Administrator can submit either one (1) Construction Phase
Review or two (2) separate Design and Construction Phase reviews to GBCI.
Certification is only awarded after Construction Phase (it can be “anticipated” after
Design Phase). Reference: GBCI website (www.gbci.org) Registration and Certification.
72. Answer C, D:
Answer: Green roofs reduce heat island affect and helps in Rainwater Management.
Green roofs do not produce clean power, and are not required for LEED certification
(nor exclusive to LEED buildings). Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide,
Individual Credits, Technologies and Strategies.
73. Answer B, C:
Kitchens and lobbies are considered non-regularly occupied spaces in commercial

buildings. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Glossary, non-regularly
occupied space.
74. Answer A, C:
Answer: Both Daylight and Views, must meet these percentage requirements for
regularly occupied spaces. Thermal Comfort is for individual and multi-occupant
spaces. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits, Calculation.
75. Answer A, C, D:
Answer: U-value should be low from an energy efficiency perspective. High SRI roofs,
daylight sensors, and shading outdoor condensers can all save energy. Reference:
Energy Star, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide EA Optimize Energy Performance.

76. Answer A:
Answer: Operable windows are included as a strategy for thermal comfort control. The
credit awards points based on percentage of controllability and not the number of
thermostats. It is applicable to both naturally and mechanically ventilated spaces.
Anonymous surveys are for Thermal Comfort-Verification. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C
Reference Guide, EQ Thermal Comfort Requirements.
77. Answer A, C:
Answer: The LEED AP can help to streamline the LEED application and certification
process and to encourage project team integration. LEED project participants do not
communicate with USGBC regularly, they work with GBCI through LEED Online. The
LEED AP does not bridge the gap between design and construction, that is the work of
the team during integrated project delivery. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference
Guide, ID c2 LEED Accredited Professional.
78. Answer B:
Answer: According to LEED, green buildings are different from conventional buildings
because they use an integrated design process, which leads to a better functioning,
more sustainable building. They are not required to become certified, be low emitting or
use biofuels, and they do not necessarily cost more to build. Reference: Sustainable
Building Technical Manual Part II.
79. Answer C:
Answer: This copy room fulfills the requirements (dedicated exhaust and deck to deck
partitions) of the Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies Credit. Reference: LEED v4 BD
+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits, Requirements.
80. Answer B:
Answer: Buildings use more than 30% of the total energy in the U.S. LEED certified
buildings have a net neutral or negative environmental impact, and daylighting is shown
to improve occupant productivity. Buildings built today are typically more efficient and
better designed than those 20 years ago. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide,
Environmental Impact of Buildings.
81. Answer B:

Answer: Core and Shell requires default occupancy counts. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C
Reference Guide, Appendix, Core and Shell Requirements.
82. Answer B, C:
Heat island effect can be mitigated by vegetation (such as trees), shading of areas that
absorb solar heat (such as parking lots), and hardscapes with high SRIs, like gravel
(instead of asphalt, which absorbs solar heat). Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference
Guide, SS c7.1 Heat Island Reduction.
83. Answer A, C, D:
LEED certification costs are not considered part of a building or product’s lifecycle.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Glossary, Lifecycle Costs.
84. Answer B, C:
Answer: Choosing a commissioning agent (CxA) and determining the Owner’s Project
Requirements are important first steps because they will be engaged throughout design
and construction. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Individual Credits and
Sustainable Building Technical Manual USGBC References.
85. Answer A, B:
Answer: Since the paneling is diverted from becoming landfill waste, it can contribute to
Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning. Since the material is
salvaged and reused, it contributes to Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—
Sourcing of Raw Materials:Material Reuse. Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference
Guide, Individual Credits.
86. Answer A, B, C:
Answer: Energy meters must be installed to measure the energy consumption but does
not directly reduce the peak demand as against the other three strategies.
87. Answer A:
Answer: Water efficient flush and flow fixtures could contribute to both Prerequisite and
Credits for Indoor Water Use Reduction and Innovative (Exemplary Performance).
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide Water Use Reduction category, LEED
Project Scorecard.
88. Answer D:

Answer: Biological wastewater treatment contributes water for landscaping, a green roof
and rainwater garden both contribute to Rainwater Management, and possibly to
Outdoor water use Reduction Rain gardens retain moisture, making them more water
efficient. Reference: SS and WE Individual Credits.
89. Answer B:
Answer: USGBC asks that the LEED Green Associate not be referred to as “LEED GA”.
If one or more LEED AP is working on a LEED project, a maximum of one point is
added (regardless of the total number of APs). GBCI administers the LEED exams.
LEED Project Experience is gauged from within the LEED AP v4 exams themselves,
therefore to pass the LEED AP exam, project experience is strongly recommended by
USGBC, but is no longer a prerequisite.
90. Answer A:
Answer: Composting toilets contribute to Water Use Reduction, both the prerequisite
and credit.
91. Answer B:
Answer: Indoor Environmental Quality intends to improve occupant health and comfort
by removing indoor pollutants and toxins and improving daylighting and views.
92. Answer C:
Answer: The lighting schedule includes the types and numbers of all the lighting fixtures
on the project. Reference: General Construction Knowledge, Understanding of
Construction Drawings.
93. Answer C:
Answer: A densely occupied space, according to LEED, has more than 25 people per
1000 square feet. So, a 10,000 square foot space would be densely occupied with 250
people or more.
94. Answer B:
Answer: Salvaged materials are reused for their original purpose.
95. Answer C, D:

Answer: The Uniform Plumbing Code governs graywater and is one of the standards
that helps to define the baseline for water efficiency in LEED.
96. Answer B, E:
Answer: LEED and ENERGY STAR are voluntary programs. The ENERGY Policy Act,
zoning codes, and provincial laws are mandated by law.
97. Answer A:
Answer: All LEED prerequisites are worth zero points.
98. Answer B:
Answer: Regional Priority is an optional credit category that awards additional points for
compliance (rather than base points), so it does not contain prerequisites.
99. Answer B:
Answer: From USGBC’s website: “Once a project is registered as a LEED for Core &
Shell project, the project team may apply for pre-certification. LEED for Core & Shell
pre-certification is a formal recognition by the USGBC given to a candidate project for
which the developer/owner has established a goal to develop a LEED for Core & Shell
building. Once pre-certification is granted, the developer/owner can market the
building's proposed green features to potential tenants and financiers”.
100. Answer D:
All LEED buildings can be re-certified under LEED Building Operations + Maintenance -
Existing Buildings.

References and Additional References:
1 USGBC.org
2 USGBC LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide
Please note: Throughout this study guide, we refer to the LEED rating system developed by USGBC. For
more information on LEED, and/or to purchase LEED Reference Guides for a particular specialty, please
visit http://www.usgbc.org
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, LEED AP, LEED Green Associate, LEED AP
Fellow and USGBC are registered trademarks of the U.S. Green Building Council. GBCI is a registered
trademark of the Green Building Certification Institute. All trademarks and registered trademarks
appearing in this guide are the property of their respective owners.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is not affiliated with Green Buildings Online, Inc. and does not
participate in the development or administration of Green Buildings Online Inc. content.
USGBC does not endorse Green Buildings Online, Inc. Green Buildings Online Inc. is not affiliated with
USGBC or GBCI, and does not administer the LEED program. USGBC and GBCI do not endorse or
recommend the products or services offered by Green Buildings Online, Inc.
Green Buildings Online Inc. supports USGBC and local USGBC chapters. Green Buildings Online Inc. is
a national member of USGBC.

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100 Question LEED Green Associate Practice Test!..........................95

References and Additional References:!........................................................132

Important please read:

By earning a LEED professional credential, you will be in

LEED is the most widely adopted green building standard

In 2013 USGBC announced LEED Earth, a program to boost LEED’s international

3! © 2014 - 2018 Green Buildings Online Inc. All Rights Reserved

• Enhance human health and well-being

You should read through this guide in its

Toward the end of the guide is a full 100

Many sections begin with a “Purpose/

In many LEED credit categories, “Exemplary Performance” opportunities may exist.

5! © 2014 - 2018 Green Buildings Online Inc. All Rights Reserved

About LEED credentials

About the LEED Green Associate™ Exam

The LEED Green Associate credential demonstrates general knowledge of USGBC’s

1. Communicate broad and basic green building concepts to team and/or

1. LEED Process (16 questions)

LEED Process (16 questions)

• Organization fundamentals (e.g. role of USGBC/GBCI; mission/vision; non-profit)

7! © 2014 - 2018 Green Buildings Online Inc. All Rights Reserved

Integrative Strategies (8 questions)

• Integrative process (e.g., early analysis of the interrelationships among systems;

Location and Transportation (7 questions)

• Site selection (e.g. targeting sites in previously developed and brownfields/high-

Sustainable Sites (7 questions)

• Site assessment (e.g., environmental assessment, human impact)

Water Efficiency (9 questions)

• Outdoor water use (e.g., use of graywater/rainwater in irrigation; use of native

Energy and Atmosphere (10 questions)

Materials and Resources (9 questions)

Indoor Environmental Quality (8 questions)

Project Surroundings and Public Outreach (11 questions)

9! © 2014 - 2018 Green Buildings Online Inc. All Rights Reserved

About the LEED AP with Specialty Credential

• LEED AP BD+C: Building Design + Construction (BD+C)

For taking the LEED AP exam experience working on a LEED-registered project, or

Taking Both Exams at Once

LEED Green Associate Exam and Strategy

a) Apply for a variance with the local building department

LEED Background and Overview

The Business Case for Green Building

• 40% of energy use

Green buildings may:

• Reduce energy use by 30%

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) administers building certification

• Buildings become LEED certified (people or products do not receive certification)

• USGBC’s mission: Voluntary, Consensus-Based, Market Driven Approach

LEED Rating Systems

LEED for Building Design + Construction (BD+C)

LEED for Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)

LEED for Building Operations + Maintenance (O+M)

LEED for Homes

LEED for Neighborhood Development

LEED for Building Design + Construction

• New Construction and Major Renovation: Addresses design and construction

• Retail. Addresses the unique needs of retailers—from banks, restaurants,

• Warehouses and Distribution Centers. For buildings used to store goods,

• Hospitality. Dedicated to hotels, motels, inns, or other businesses within the

• Commercial Interiors. For interior spaces dedicated to functions other than

• Hospitality. Designed for interior spaces dedicated to hotels, motels, inns, or