WASHINGTON, DC -The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has introduced the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate program for building professionals participating in the verification of high-performance green homes. 

The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED for Homes Rating System has seen widespread uptake throughout the residential sector since its launch in 2008.  Over 5,000 homes have achieved LEED for Homes certification and more than 20,000 units have registered to be part of the process. To meet this quickly escalating demand, GBCI has developed the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate program to validate that those who perform in-field verification services possess the key qualifications and necessary skills to perform this important function successfully.

"The LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate program assesses the skills and knowledge of qualified individuals who are independent from the design and construction process, and can provide an objective assessment of how well the home has met the specifications outlined in the LEED for Homes Rating System," said Beth Holst, Vice President, Credentialing, GBCI.  "Well-qualified Green Raters are critical to the third-party certification process for a LEED for Homes project."

In addition to their role in the verification process, Green Raters serve as a communication link between the LEED for Homes Provider, the organizations that help implement LEED for Homes on behalf of USGBC, and the project team. Green Raters may work directly for a LEED for Homes Provider or as a subcontractor to a Provider organization. 

The application for the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate program is now available online at www.gbci.org.

GBCI, based in Washington, D.C., administers the LEED Professional Credentials, which have been recognized in the industry as a mark of excellence among green building professionals for almost a decade. Earning a LEED Professional Credential demonstrates a candidate's comprehensive understanding of and commitment to green building design, construction and operations. For information on the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate program, please visit www.gbci.org.

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About GBCI

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) provides third-party confirmation that specific criteria related to LEED building certification and LEED professional credentialing have been met. To underscore this commitment, GBCI is undergoing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation process for personnel certification agencies complying with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 17024. Early in 2009, GBCI assumed responsibility for administering the LEED building certification program for the more than 30,000 commercial projects seeking third-party verification of compliance with the industry's leading green building rating system. For more information, please visit www.gbci.org.