Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USGBC?
What is the mission of USGBC New York?
LEED
What is LEED?
What is a LEED Accredited Professional™, and how do I become one?
When will the next LEED training workshop be held?
Can you recommend a consultant, architect, etc?
How many LEED certified/registered projects are there in New York City?
What types of buildings can use LEED?
How does LEED work?
What are the different levels of LEED?
What are the different LEED rating systems?
What are the benefits of LEED certification?
Green Buildings
Are green buildings expensive?
Can I visit any LEED certified buildings?
Are there any tax incentives or government initiatives for LEED certified buildings?
How many LEED certified/registered projects are there in New York City?
Can you recommend a consultant, architect, etc?
Becoming a LEED Accredited Professional
What is a LEED Accredited Professional™, and how do I become one?
What are the steps to become a LEED AP?
Can anyone become a LEED AP or do I need to be an architect/engineer?
When will the next LEED training workshop be held?
How do I purchase LEED reference guides?
Get Involved
How can I get involved?
What are the advantages of becoming a member of USGBC?
What is the cost to become a member of USGBC New York?
Are there any opportunities to get involved with USGBC New York outside of the city?
Q: What is the USGBC?
A: The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations. LEED serves as a catalyst for market transformation by providing guidelines and a performance-based certification system to promote integrated, whole-building design practices in the building industry. For more information, visit the national USGBC Website.
Q: What is the mission of USGBC New York?
A: USGBC New York works to create environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work in the greater New York area. See About Us for more information.
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LEED
Q: What is LEED?
A: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction, and operations. LEED serves as a catalyst for market transformation by providing guidelines and a performance-based certification system to promote integrated, whole-building design practices in the building industry. For more information, visit the national USGBC Website.
Q: What is a LEED Accredited Professional™, and how do I become one?
A: LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) are building industry professionals who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building and the LEED Green Building Rating System™. To become a LEED AP, you must take the examination. This exam will test your understanding of green building practices and principles, and your familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes. See the seven steps to become a LEED AP. To learn more, visit the Green Building Certification Institute (the newly created independent organization responsible for administering credentialing programs.)
Q: When will the next LEED training workshop be held?
A: USGBC New York hosts bimonthly LEED technical reviews (workshops) that teach the basics of sustainable design, provide an in-depth review of LEED, and prepare individuals to take the exam to become a LEED Accredited Professional. To view the workshop schedule check out our Calendar. To register for a workshop visit the national USGBC Website.
E-mail the USGBC if you don't see the type of LEED workshop you are looking for and you will be notified as soon it becomes available. Also send an e-mail to be placed on the waiting list for a sold out workshop.
Q: Can you recommend a consultant, architect, etc?
A: If you are looking for a LEED accredited professional, you can search the national database of LEED APs. Please note, the USGBC cannot recommend particular consultants, as many are members of USGBC New York.
Q: How many LEED certified/registered projects are there in New York City?
A: The number is constantly growing, but as of July 2008, 24 LEED certified projects have been completed and over 240 LEED registered projects are underway in New York City.
Q: What types of buildings can use LEED?
A: LEED certification is available for all building types including new construction and major renovation, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core & shell, schools, and homes. LEED systems for neighborhood development, retail and healthcare are currently pilot testing. To date, there are over 3 billion square feet of construction space involved with the LEED system.
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Q: How does LEED work?
A: LEED is a point-based system where projects earn LEED points for satisfying specific green building criteria in six categories. Projects must satisfy particular prerequisites. The six categories include Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design (projects can earn points for green building innovations).
Q: What are the different levels of LEED?
A: LEED certification is available in four progressive levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives.
Q: What are the different LEED rating systems?
A: The current LEED rating systems are:
LEED NC: LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects.
LEED EB: LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance provides a benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance.
LEED CI: LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market that gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers.
LEED CS: LEED for Core & Shell aids designers, builders, developers and new building owners in implementing sustainable design for new core and shell construction.
LEED for Homes promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.
LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools and addresses the specific needs of school spaces.
LEED for Retail recognizes the unique nature of retail design and construction projects and addresses the specific needs of retail spaces.
LEED for Healthcare promotes sustainable planning, design and construction for high-performance healthcare facilities.
LEED for Neighborhood Development integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national program for neighborhood design.
For more information about LEED Rating Systems visit the national USGBC Website.
Q: What are the benefits of LEED certification?
A: LEED certification is third-party validation of a building’s performance. LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance. They cost less to operate and maintain, are energy- and water-efficient, have higher lease-up rates than conventional buildings in their markets, are healthier and safer for occupants, and are a physical demonstration of the values of the organizations that own and occupy them. For more information visit the national USGBC Website.
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Green Buildings
Q: Are green buildings expensive?
A. No, green buildings do not have to cost a penny more. LEED certified projects to date demonstrate that you can achieve LEED certification and reap its many benefits with a common-sense approach to design with no additional dollars. Depending on your green building strategy and the level of certification your project is targeting there may be mid- and long-term ROI investment in first costs.
Q: Can I visit any LEED certified buildings?
A: USGBC New York regularly offers tours of green buildings in the New York area.
Q: Are there any tax incentives or government initiatives for LEED certified buildings?
A. To learn about governmental incentives for building green, visit the national USGBC Website’s Government Resources page.
Q: How many LEED certified/registered projects are there in New York City?
A: The number is constantly growing, but as of July 2008, 24 LEED certified projects have been completed and over 240 LEED registered projects are underway in New York City.
Q: Can you recommend a consultant, architect, etc?
A: If you are looking for a LEED Accredited Professional, you can search the Green Building Certification Institute’s national database of LEED APs. Please note, the USGBC cannot recommend particular consultants, as many are members of USGBC New York.
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Becoming a LEED Accredited Professional
Q: What is a LEED Accredited Professional™, and how do I become one?
A: LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) are building industry professionals who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building and the LEED Green Building Rating System™. To become a LEED AP, you must take the examination. This exam will test your understanding of green building practices and principles, and your familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes. See the seven steps to become a LEED AP. To learn more, visit the Green Building Certification Institute, the newly created independent organization responsible for administering credentialing programs.
Q: What are the steps to become a LEED AP?
A: Seven Steps to Become a LEED Accredited Professional:
- Get the Candidate Handbook and choose a rating system: LEED for New Construction, Existing Buildings, or Commercial Interiors. Regardless of the track you choose, you will receive the title of LEED AP. LEED professional accreditation shows your customers and colleagues that you have exceptional integrated design experience and the skills to get green building done.
- Buy the USGBC Reference guide for your chosen track from the national USGBC Website.*
If you are a member of the national USGBC, you will receive discounts on reference guides, workshops, and the LEED AP exam, however, USGBC membership is not required.
- Take a workshop* and study on your own. (See the Candidate Handbook for recommended courses and materials.)
- Register on the Green Building Certification Institute Website and generate an Eligibility ID to use when signing up for the test.
- Find a Prometric test center and sign up for a test date.
- Take the test and receive results immediately upon test taking.
- Once you have received your LEED Professional Accreditation, update your LEED AP Directory listing at www.gbci.org> Your Account> Accreditation> Accreditation Profile.
*Not required, but highly recommended.
Q: Can anyone become a LEED AP or do I need to be an architect/engineer?
A: Anyone can seek a LEED AP certification.
Q: When will the next LEED training workshop be held?
A: USGBC New York hosts bimonthly LEED technical reviews (workshops) that teach the basics of sustainable design, provide an in-depth review of LEED, and prepare individuals to take the exam to become a LEED Accredited Professional. View our Calendar to see the workshop schedule. To register for a workshop visit the national USGBC Website.
E-mail the USGBC if you don't see the type of LEED workshop you are looking for and you will be notified as soon it becomes available. Also send an e-mail to be placed on the waiting list for a sold out workshop.
Q: How do I purchase LEED reference guides?
A: You can go to the national USGBC Website to purchase guides. There are discounted rates for current full-time students and faculty.
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Get Involved
Q: How can I get involved?
A: There are several ways one can become involved with USGBC New York:
Q: What are the advantages of becoming a member of USGBC?
- Discounts on chapter events, site tours and other programs
- Opportunity to serve on chapter committees
- Listing in USGBC New York membership directory
- Discounts on green and local services, including a 66% discount ($50) on a Zip Car annual membership
- Discounted job postings on our website Job Database
- Participation in chapter elections and eligibility for Board of Directors. (Please note that in order to vote in chapter elections, you must be an employee of a company that is also a member of the national USGBC.)
Join now!
Q: What is the cost to become a member of USGBC New York?
A. The costs are as follows:
- Full-time Student $25
- Core Member $75
- Sustaining Member $250
- Bronze Member $500
- Silver Member $1,000
- Gold Member $5,000
- Platinum Member $10,000
Join now!
Q: Are there any opportunities to get involved with USGBC New York outside of the city?
A. Check out our neighboring chapters:
New York Upstate Chapter
Long Island Chapter
New Jersey Chapter
For a complete listing of Chapters nationwide, visit the national USGBC Website.
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