BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally
recognized green building certification program designed to provide guidelines
for implementing practical green building solutions. Created and ran by the U.S.
Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Building Certification Institute
(GBCI), LEED consists of nine rating systems for the design, construction, and
operation of buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. These include:

• LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations

• LEED for Core & Shell Development
• LEED for Schools
• LEED for Retail New Construction
• LEED for Commercial Interiors
• LEED for Retail Interiors
• LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
• LEED for Neighborhood Development
• LEED for Homes

Each of these systems operates though a point system to gain Certified (40–49
points), Silver (50–59 points), Gold (60-79 points), or Platinum Certification (80+
points). Points are based on water efficiency, sustainable sites, materials and
resources, indoor environment, energy and atmosphere, and regional priority.
The certification relies on documentation as opposed to on-site testing, and lasts
forever (except Operations & Maintenance).

ENERGY STAR
This program is primarily focused on energy use; setting standards that are
recognized internationally for energy efficient consumer products. Ran by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the U.S. Department of
Energy, Energy Star compares homes to certify those that are at least 15% more
energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code
(IRC) and include additional energy saving features to be 20-30% more efficient
than standard homes. Energy Star also provides an energy performance rating
system applied to buildings, and recognizes top performing ones with the
ENERGY STAR. This certification lasts one year, and not all building types are
eligible.

GREEN GLOBES
This certification program follows an online assessment, rating system, and
outline for green building design, operation, and management. Adopted from a
Canadian protocol, Green Globes operates in the US by the Green Building
Initiative. This program is unique in the fact that it is both easy to use and
affordable, while being comprehensive in the following seven categories:

• Energy
• Indoor Environment
• Site
• Water
• Resources
• Emissions
• Project Management

Green Globes relies on certified assessors to verify compliance, and introduces

uses to the idea of incorporating Life Cycle Assessment tools into material and
resource selection. It is available for new construction, existing buildings, and
residential homes.

NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARD

This certification, developed and administered by the National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB), establishes green building, construction practices, and
performance levels for residential areas. It covers both new construction and
renovations of all residential types; including single-family homes, multi-family
complexes, and mixed-use buildings. Homes with this certification must
incorporate the following six categories:

• Lot Design
• Resources Efficiency
• Energy Efficiency
• Water Efficiency
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Operations/ Maintenance/ Education

There are four levels of certification available including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and
Emerald. The standard can also be applied to land developments in the form of
One, Two, Three, or Four Stars. Certified assessors are required to verify
compliance.

GREENGUARD
This certification program focuses greatly on indoor air quality, promoting low-
emitting building materials, paints and finishes, cleaning products, furnishings,
electronics, and other consumer products. Developed and ran by the Greenguard
Environmental Institute, certification is available for new commercial and
residential buildings as well as major renovations. There are four programs
available, including:
 • GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified
• GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified
• GREENGUARD Premier Certified
• GREENGUARD Building Construction Certified

To obtain this certification, products and buildings must meet strict requirements
on managing moisture intrusion, mold prevention, and product selection. Annual
re-certification and quarterly quality monitoring are required to ensure ongoing
compliance.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) offers credentials for
professionals who demonstrate a thorough understanding of green building
practices and principles. Administered by the Green Building Certification
Institute (GBCI), this program is currently recognized as the Top Sustainable
Design credential. To become a LEED professional, applicants must participate
in continuing education courses and pass an exam. There are seven different
credentials available, including:

• LEED Green Associate

• LEED AP BD+C (Building Design + Construction)
• LEED AP ID+C (Interior Design + Construction)
• LEED AP Homes
• LEED AP O+M (Operation + Maintenance)
• LEED AP ND (Neighborhood Development)
• LEED Fellow

Each of these specialties has specific eligibility requirements, courses, and

exams. Credentials must be maintained through retesting every three years in
order to keep up with current green building practices. This program also
provides a “LEED for Homes Green Rater” Professional Certificate for
professionals who aid in the verification of high-performance green homes.

GREEN GLOBES
The Green Building Initiative (GBI) administers these Personnel Certification
Programs. There are currently two types available, including Green Globes
Professional (GGP) and Green Globes Assessor (GGA). Both certifications
require previous experience, training and testing. The two designations are
based on level of expertise and desired role in the Green Globes assessment
process, thus a person cannot be both GGP and GGA. Ongoing training is
required as the system evolves, and certification must be renewed every two
years.

GREEN ADVANTAGE
This program offers certification for professionals knowledgeable in green
building principles, materials, and techniques. There are three types available:

• Commercial
• Residential
• Commercial/Residential

Green Advantage is primarily aimed at the building industry, providing

certification for green builders and building-related practitioners to help them gain
employment while allowing building occupants to enjoy healthier, high-efficiency
homes. While training is available, it is not required to take the open book exam.
If passed, the certification is good for three years.

COMPANY CERTIFICATION

B CORPORATION
This company certification was created to help businesses address social and
environmental problems through performance standards, accountability, and
building constituency for good business. In order to become a B Corporation, a
company must do the following:

1. Pass the “B Impact Ratings System” test

2. Adopt the “B Corporation Legal Framework”
3. Sign a Term Sheet

Certifications are done by B Lab; a non-profit whose mission is to help the

general public tell the difference between good companies and good marketing.
After achieving certification, B Corporations must present supporting
documentation of their adoption of the B Corp Legal Framework, and are subject
to on-site review during each two-year term.