Overview
LEED professional credentials show that a person understands sustainable design, construction and operations practice under the LEED green building system. The credentials are offered through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). There are two tiers: LEED Green Associate, the foundation level, and LEED AP, which adds a specialty. USGBC reports more than 203,000 people hold a LEED credential.
Both exams can be taken at a Prometric Testing Center or as a remote-proctored online exam, with group delivery as an alternative.
Who can apply
LEED Green Associate: USGBC lists no prerequisites or eligibility requirements.
LEED AP: you must hold a current Green Associate credential, or pass the Green Associate exam in the same sitting, and be at least 18 years old.
Levels or stages
LEED Green Associate
100 multiple-choice questions in a two-hour exam.
A score of 170 out of 200 is needed to pass.
Translation aids are offered in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
LEED AP with specialty
LEED AP has five specialties, each focused on a different LEED rating system:
Building Design + Construction (BD+C)
Operations + Maintenance (O+M)
Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)
Neighborhood Development (ND)
Homes
The specialty exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, and the pass mark is 170 out of 200. You can take the specialty exam alone if you already hold Green Associate, or take a combined exam that includes both parts, each with 100 questions. Translation aids are listed for BD+C and O+M in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, French and Spanish. The USGBC LEED AP page does not state the exam length.
Fees
As listed on the official site in 2026, in US dollars:
| Exam | Standard | USGBC member | Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Associate | $250 | $200 | $100 |
| LEED AP specialty only | $350 | $250 | not listed |
| LEED AP combined with Green Associate | $550 | $400 | not listed |
How to apply
Register and pay through your USGBC credentials account. Candidates can reschedule or cancel up to 3 days before the exam, though fees may apply.
After the exam
Credentials must be maintained through continuing education. The cycle starts on the exam date and runs for 2 years minus 1 day.
| Credential | Continuing education per 2-year cycle | Of which LEED-specific |
|---|---|---|
| Green Associate | 15 hours | 3 hours |
| LEED AP | 30 hours | 6 hours |
USGBC also recognises LEED Fellows, a designation for LEED APs with at least 10 years of industry experience and notable leadership.
Do I need Green Associate before LEED AP?
You need a current Green Associate credential, or you can pass it at the same time by taking the combined exam.
What score passes the LEED exams?
170 out of 200 for both the Green Associate and the LEED AP exams.
Can I take the exam online?
Yes. You can sit it at a Prometric Testing Center or as a remote-proctored online exam.