LEED exam prep

Showcase your knowledge, experience and credibility in the green building marketplace as a LEED professional.

Whitman Walker Health | LEED | Photo: ©Eric Laignel Photography

Whitman Walker Health

Exam formats and procedures

LEED Green Associate

LEED AP with specialty

Choose an exam to prepare for

LEED Green Associate LEED AP BD+C LEED AP O+M <a href=LEED AP ID+C" width="60px" /> LEED AP ND LEED AP homes

Prepare for your LEED Green Associate exam

The LEED Green Associate exam measures general knowledge of green building practices and how to support others working on LEED projects.

Task Domains and Knowledge Domains

The exam is based on the following text specifications and references. The exam questions reflect Task Domains and Knowledge Domains.

Task Domains reflect the tasks necessary to perform LEED safely and effectively. These include concepts such as LEED Project and Team Coordination, LEED Certification Process, Analyses Required for LEED Credits, and Advocacy and Education for Adoption for LEED Rating System.

View Task Domains

Knowledge Domains reflect the rating systems’ credit categories and what one needs to know. These include concepts such as LEED Process, Integrative Strategies, LEED credit categories, and Project Surroundings and Public Outreach.

View Knowledge Domains

References

The primary sources for the development of the LEED professional exams are the LEED rating systems. The following list of references is not meant to be comprehensive. When combined with the test specifications, the candidate has the material from which the exam is based. The LEED Green Associate Exam is designed to test the general knowledge of green building practices and how to support other professionals working on LEED projects.

View references

Please note: LEED professional exams are updated each year. Exams go through a maintenance process in which the questions are evaluated based on performance; poorly performing questions are removed and replaced with new questions. Additionally, questions are reviewed against updates to the LEED v4 addenda that are published through January Q1 of the same year to ensure that all questions remain current and valid. For a one-week period each year, exams are not offered to accommodate the deployment of updated exams.

Sample Questions

These sample questions were discarded in the process of creating items for the new LEED Green Associate exam. The items are provided for your convenience to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk.

View sample questions
  1. When applying for innovation credits, a project team:
    1. Cannot submit any previously awarded innovation credit.
    2. May receive credit for performance that doubles a credit requirement threshold.*
    3. May submit a product or strategy that is being used in an existing LEED credit.
    4. May receive a credit for each LEED Accredited Professional that is on the project team.
    1. Restore habitat onsite
    2. Purchase ergonomic furniture
    3. Pursue local grants and incentives
    4. Provide lighting controllability for occupants*

    Study materials

    USGBC’s online catalog offers courses, practice tests and study plans.

    Access study materials

    Prepare for your LEED AP BD+C exam

    The LEED AP BD+C credential suits professionals with expertise in the design and construction phases of green buildings, serving the commercial, residential, education and healthcare sectors.

    The exam is based on the following text specifications and references. The exam questions reflect Task Domains and Knowledge Domains.

    Task Domains and Knowledge Domains

    Task Domains reflect the tasks necessary to perform LEED safely and effectively. These include concepts such as LEED Project and Team Coordination, LEED Certification Process, Analyses Required for LEED Credits, and Advocacy and Education for Adoption for LEED Rating System.

    View Task Domains

    Knowledge Domains reflect the rating systems’ credit categories and what one needs to know. These include concepts such as LEED Process, Integrative Strategies, LEED credit categories, and Project Surroundings and Public Outreach.

    View Knowledge Domains

    References

    The primary sources for the development of the LEED professional exams are the LEED rating systems. The following list of references is not meant to be comprehensive. When combined with the test specifications, the candidate has the material from which the exam is based. This exam is designed to test the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the design process, to support and encourage integrated design, and to streamline the application and certification process.

    View references

    Please note: LEED professional exams are updated each year. Exams go through a maintenance process in which the questions are evaluated based on performance; poorly performing questions are removed and replaced with new questions. Additionally, questions are reviewed against updates to the LEED v4 addenda that are published through January Q1 of the same year to ensure that all questions remain current and valid. For a one-week period each year, exams are not offered to accommodate the deployment of updated exams.

    Sample Questions

    These sample questions were discarded in the process of creating items for the new LEED AP Building Design + Construction exam. The items are provided for your convenience to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk.

    View sample questions
    1. The city is building a new botanical garden and is attempting LEED certification. What could the educational program include to earn an Innovation in Design Credit?
      1. Present the building’s sustainable features at the grand opening
      2. Present the building’s sustainable features at a town hall meeting
      3. Provide on-going weekly tours highlighting the building’s sustainable features*
      4. Publish a press release to the local newspaper outlining the building’s sustainable features
      1. Must be calculated using 100% potable water
      2. May be included or excluded from the calculations*
      3. May be calculated using a standard 20% reduction from baseline
      4. Must be calculated using at least 20% from an alternative water source

      Study materials

      The USGBC course catalog offers online courses, practice tests and study plans.

      Access study materials
      • Study plan: LEED AP BD+C exam: Four week study plan
      • Bundle: Study Bundle: LEED BD+C Study Guide and BD+C Reference Guide (V4)
      • Bundle: LEED AP BD+C Bundle: Exam and Prep
      • Bundle: LEED AP BD+C Bundle: Exam, Prep and Maintain
      • Bundle: LEED Green Associate & LEED AP BD+C Bundle: Exam and Prep
      • Bundle: LEED Green Associate & LEED AP BD+C Bundle: Exam, Prep and Maintain
      • Course: LEED v4 Key Terms for Green Associates, BD+C and O+M Exam Prep
      • Study Guide: LEED AP BD+C Exam Preparation Guide (v4) (created by USGBC Education Partner ATP)
      • Flash cards: LEED AP BD+C Study Cards (created by USGBC Education Partner ATP)
      • Practice exam: 2019 Practice Exam - 100 LEED AP BD+C Questions (created by GBES (Green Building Education Services))