Find answers to these questions below:

1. Do I need to take the LEED Green Associate exam to be eligible to take the LEED AP exam?
2. Do I get a break between the parts?
3. What if I pass only one part of the LEED AP exam?
4. If I pass the first part (the LEED Green Associate exam) but not the second (the specialty exam), can I call myself a LEED Green Associate?
5. If I pass the second part (the specialty exam) but not the first (the LEED Green Associate exam), can I call myself a LEED AP?
6. What happens if I fail part 1 (the LEED Green Associate exam) three times during my application period?
7. What happens if I pass part 1 (the LEED Green Associate exam) but fail the part 2 (the LEED AP specialty exam) three times?
8. Can I be both a LEED Green Associate and a LEED AP?

Q: Do I need to take the LEED Green Associate exam to be eligible to take the LEED AP exam?
A: No. The LEED Green Associate exam is the first part of the LEED AP exam so you do not have to take it before you apply. In order to be eligible for the LEED AP exam, you must meet the requirements above.

Q: Do I get a break between the parts?
A: No. You may get up and leave your seat (with permission from the test center staff); however, the timer will not stop so when you return the time elapsed will be reflected in the time remaining for the exam.

Q: What if I pass only one part of the LEED AP exam?
A: If you pass one part of the LEED AP exam, you will have to retake only the part you failed. Please note that you are still subject the restrictions of three attempts per application period. For example, if it is your first attempt, you will have two additional attempts within the application period to take and pass the part you failed. (See How many times can I take the exam during my application period? for more information.)

Q: If I pass the first part (the LEED Green Associate exam) but not the second (the specialty exam), can I call myself a LEED Green Associate?

A: No. If you pass only the first part of the LEED AP exam, you are NOT a LEED Green Associate. This is because you applied to be a LEED AP and, with that application, you have three attempts to pass the both parts of the LEED AP exam.

If you would like to become a LEED Green Associate, you must contact customer service with the request. Please note that you will be subject to the $50 Green Associate Application fee and will have to agree to the LEED Green Associate Terms and Conditions and CMP requirements.

Although there is no restriction on how soon you must contact customer service with this request, we recommend that you do so at the earliest possible date so that you may have enough time to complete the CMP requirements of the LEED Green Associate credential. Your LEED Green Associate CMP reporting period will begin on the date that you passed the LEED Green Associate exam, and you will have 2 years from that date to complete your 15 required continuing education hours. For example, if you passed Part 1 on January 15, 2009 and you request to become a LEED Green Associate on November 15th, 2010, you will only have until January 14, 2011 to complete and report your continuing education hours.

Q: If I pass the second part (the specialty exam) but not the first (the LEED Green Associate exam), can I call myself a LEED AP?
A: No. In order to become a LEED AP, you must pass both parts of the LEED AP exam.

However, you will have to retake only the part you failed. Please note that you are still subject the restrictions of three attempts per application period. For example, if it is your first attempt, you will have two additional attempts within the application period to take and pass the part you failed. (See How many times can I take the exam during my application period? for more information.)

Q: What happens if I fail part 1 (the LEED Green Associate exam) three times during my application period?
A: If you fail the LEED Green Associate exam three times during your application period, you will have used all of your allotted exam attempts. That means that you will have to wait until three months from the end of your application period (one year from your application approval date) to apply for any LEED Professional Exam.

Q: What happens if I pass part 1 (the LEED Green Associate exam) but fail the part 2 (the LEED AP specialty exam) three times?
A: You have two options: you may either wait to re-apply for the same specialty, or you may choose to pursue a different specialty. If you choose to wait and re-apply, you must allow the current application to expire (the expiration date is one year from your application approval date), and then wait an additional 90 days. At that time you will be allowed to re-apply for the LEED AP specialty exam. Please note that if you do not already hold the LEED Green Associate credential, you will be required to re-test on both parts of the LEED AP exam. Since you passed part 1, you may request to be recognized as a LEED Green Associate at any time. (See If I pass the first part (the LEED Green Associate exam) but not the second (the specialty exam), can I call myself a LEED Green Associate? for more information.) You will need to pay a $50 transfer fee and you will also be responsible for another $100 LEED AP with specialty application fee. 

Q: Can I be both a LEED Green Associate and a LEED AP?
A: No. The LEED AP with specialty credential supersedes the LEED Green Associate credential. If you earn the LEED AP with specialty after the LEED Green Associate, you should no longer use the LEED Green Associate designation as it will expire and be replaced by the LEED AP with specialty.