GBCI is the premier organization for independently recognizing excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally, through third party verification services for certification and credentialing.
Certification
Credentialing
GBCI’s credentials demonstrate proficiency in green building and sustainability, and help professionals showcase their knowledge, experience and credibility in the green building and sustainability marketplace. Whether you are a student, emerging professional or industry expert, a GBCI credential strengthens your resume, helps you stand out from the crowd and showcases your knowledge and expertise to the industry and potential employers.
GBCI has received and maintained Personnel Certification accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) since 2011. Accreditation ensures that a certification agency meets a recognized standard for the programs and services it employs, and that the certification agency is engaged in continuous review and quality improvement.
A LEED credential denotes proficiency in today’s sustainable design, construction and operations standards. More than 205,000 professionals have earned a LEED credential to help advance their careers. The LEED Green Associate is a foundational credential signifying core competency in green building principles and the LEED AP with specialty is an advanced credential signifying expertise in green building and a LEED rating system.
The WELL AP provides professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate advanced knowledge in human health and wellness in buildings. WELL APs have a documented, full understanding of the industry’s latest principles and practices, along with a specialization in the WELL Building Standard program.
The SITES AP is the first credential specifically targeted to those who work and care for land and its resources and communities. The credential establishes a common framework to define the profession of sustainable landscape design and development, and also provides landscape professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and commitment to the profession. The exam was built on the expertise of leading practitioners and is intended to test a candidate’s competency to perform the job functions of a SITES AP.
The City Climate Planner program helps city staff and their partners develop the skills needed to advance local climate action in cities worldwide. The Urban Greenhouse Gas Inventory Specialist credential focuses on community-level greenhouse gas emissions inventory accounting, which is a key building block in developing quality climate action plans. It is geared toward practitioners developing city and community-scale greenhouse gas inventories and is based on the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC), the most comprehensive global protocol for calculating and reporting GHG inventories.
The Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) and Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) credentials recognize individuals dedicated to making the world a more sustainable place – economically, socially and environmentally. Credential holders help organizations and communities of all types integrate sustainability best practice throughout business operations.
The Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) demonstrates an understanding of core sustainability concepts and is designed for those who are new to or interested in entering the sustainability field, including students, recent graduates or early career professionals..
The Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) demonstrates advanced knowledge and extensive experience in the sustainability field and recognizes leaders and experts who are at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable world. In order to earn an SEP, candidates must demonstrate professional excellence in and mastery of several key fields, including core sustainability concepts as well as stakeholder engagement, planning and implementing sustainability strategies, evaluating efforts and adjusting sustainability plans.
Green Raters perform onsite verification services for LEED BD+C: Homes and Lowrise and LEED BD+C: Multifamily Rating Systems. They provide verification services; serve as a liaison between GBCI and the Project Team; and prepare the project’s certification application for review by a LEED for Homes Provider Quality Assurance Designee.
TRUE Advisors are trained on the TRUE Rating System. They understand the rating system's requirements and help projects achieve certification. TRUE Advisors have a practical understanding of the most current zero waste business principles and demonstrate a clear commitment to professional growth in advancing TRUE values.
EDGE Experts
EDGE Experts are professionals who help a developer, owner and larger project team understand the EDGE standard, software, and certification system. The scope of an EDGE Expert’s work includes advice on green design and assistance with preparation of an application for EDGE certification. EDGE Experts are accredited by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. GBCI provides training to EDGE Expert candidates.
