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  1. Should I apply for the LEED Green Associate exam or the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam?
    The LEED Green Associate is a credential that covers a body of knowledge which includes green design, construction, and operations; there is no specific training course or class that is required for the credential. In contrast, the LEED for Homes Green Rater is a certificate that has a specific training component that must be completed before applying for the exam. The certificate denotes the authority to conduct all verification services on LEED for Homes projects, and therefore has an additional on the job mentorship requirement before full certification can be awarded. For more information on the differences between the two exams, please view the exam guide.

  2. I applied for the wrong exam; I really want to apply for the LEED Green Associate exam. Can my application fee be transferred over? Can I get a refund?
    No. All application fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

  3. How do I earn the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate?
    In order to earn the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate, you must first select the track through which you want to earn the certificate:

    If you have minimal experience in providing verification services and meet the eligibility qualifications, you qualify for the Conventional Track. This track requires:
    1. Applying to USGBC and meeting their LEED for Homes Green Rater eligibility qualifications
    2. Completing the two-part LEED for Homes Green Rater Training offered by USGBC (Part 1: 5 Self-guided Online Training Modules and Part 2: Two day Instructor-led workshop).
    3. Applying for the exam through My Credentials
    4. Taking and passing the exam
    5. Completing mentorship requirements within a two-year period

    If you have experience rating on several LEED home projects, you may qualify for the Advanced Track. This track requires:
    1. Submitting the LEED for Homes Green Rater Advanced Track Application to USGBC and receiving acceptance notification
    2. Completing one required online module
    3. Applying for the exam through My Credentials
    4. Taking and passing the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam

    On the advanced track, you are not required to attend the two day instructor-led workshop or complete a mentorship.

    To serve as a LEED for Homes Green Rater, you will need to have agreed-upon and established working relationship(s) with one or more LEED for Homes Provider organizations.

  4. Will I need to interface with both USGBC and GBCI to earn my certificate?
    Yes.  USGBC accepts and processes applications for those pursuing both the Conventional and the Advanced Tracks and provides the required training.  GBCI offers the exam and collects and reviews mentorship completion documentation.

  5. How do I apply for the Advanced Track?
    Please visit www.usgbc.org/greenrater to view the Advanced Track requirements and to download the Advanced Track application.  Once complete, submit the Advanced Track application to USGBC at greenrater@usgbc.org.

  6. Is there additional training required to become a LEED for Homes Green Rater?
    Yes. If you are pursuing the Conventional Track, you must complete the LEED for Homes Green Rater Training offered by USGBC which consists of 2 parts: Part 1: 5 Self-guided Online Training Modules and Part 2: Two day Instructor-led workshop. If you are pursuing the Advanced Track, you must complete one online training module.

  7. How do I register for the training?
    Please visit www.usgbc.org/greenrater and read about the program before registering for the training.  After reading about the program, you may register for the Conventional Track. For those pursing the Advanced Track, you will receive a link to register for the required online training module in your acceptance email from USGBC.

  8. Are there educational courses that can be substituted for the LEED for Homes Green Rater Training offered by USGBC?
    No. While there are a variety of courses that can meet the educational requirements dictated in the eligibility qualifications, no other courses can be substituted for the required LEED for Homes Green Rater Training.

  9. What are the eligibility qualifications to become a LEED for Homes Green Rater?
    Please visit USGBC’s LEED for Homes Green Rater page to view the eligibility qualifications.

  10. How do I view the online training modules that are required?
    If you are pursuing the Conventional Track, you will receive a link to access the online modules once you register for the training. If you are pursuing the Advanced Track, you will receive a link to register for the required online module in your acceptance email from USGBC.

  11. What are the costs involved with the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate?
    The costs are:
    • LEED for Homes Green Rater Training: from $825 (see the USGBC website for more information)
    • Exam application fee: $50
    • Exam fee (per exam appointment): $250
    • Ask a LEED for Homes Provider about any potential mentorship fees.

  12. What is the format of the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam?
    The LEED for Homes Green Rater exam is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam comprised of 85 randomly delivered multiple choice questions which must be completed in 2 hours. View the LEED for Homes Green Rater Candidate Handbook for sample exam questions.

  13. How is the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam scored?
    The LEED for Homes Green Rater exam is scored using a scaled process. Scores range from 125 to 200 but candidates must achieve a minimum score of 170 to pass the exam and earn the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate.

  14. What happens if I fail the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam three times during my application period?
    If you fail the LEED for Homes Green Rater 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 the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam again.

  15. What are the mentorship requirements?
    Please visit USGBC’s LEED for Homes Green Rater page to view the mentorship requirements.

  16. Who can be my mentor?
    Only a LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate holder can be your mentor during your mentorship.  You may view a professional directory of certificate holders by visiting the LEED Professional Directory.

  17. I’ve finished my mentorship. Now what do I do?
    Once you’ve completed your mentorship, you can request and submit the LEED for Homes Green Rater Mentorship Completion Form.

  18. There are already many LEED-certified homes. How did the Green Raters that worked on those projects get training?
    Prior to the introduction of the LEED for Homes Green Rater Training and exam, Green Raters were trained and granted the authority to provide verification services on LEED for Homes projects by the numerous LEED for Homes Provider organizations..  The LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate now demonstrates that you meet a national standard of skills, knowledge, and experience in the LEED for Homes verification process. All LEED for Homes projects that register after January 1, 2011 must be verified by a LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate holder.

  19. If I earn the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate, will I still get audited by a Provider?
    LEED for Homes Providers will continue to conduct some auditing of the LEED for Homes Green Raters with whom they are working; the procedures of these audits may vary slightly depending on the Provider.

  20. If I earn the LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate, will I need to maintain it within GBCI’s Credential Maintenance Program (CMP)?
    No, LEED for Homes Green Rater certificate holders will need to continue to work on projects to keep their certificate active but they are not required to complete credential maintenance.

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  21. When will the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam be available?
    The training has been available since November 2009 and the exam is available in Prometric testing centers in the United States as of March 25, 2010.

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  22. What if I still have unanswered questions or want to learn more?
    If you have additional questions about this certificate, you have two resources:
    1. USGBC’s LEED for Homes Green Rater page: www.usgbc.org/greenrater
    2. GBCI’s LEED for Homes Green Rater Candidate Handbook, a resource for GBCI and Prometric policies and procedures throughout the certification process, and the glossary, a dictionary of useful GBCI terms and definitions.

  23. Who do I contact with questions?
    If the resources provided above do not answer your questions:
    1. Contact USGBC for questions regarding eligibility qualifications, the Advanced Track, and training.
    2. Contact GBCI for questions regarding the exam or mentorship.
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