The USGBC’s LEED for Homes Green Rating System awards a point under Innovation and Design Process (“ID”) Credit 1.3 for a “Professional Credentialed with Respect to LEED for Homes.”  Prior to the release of the USGBC’s LEED for Homes Accredited Professional exam track in June 2009, this credit was not available to project teams.  Under ID Credit 1.3, it is insufficient for a member of the project team to be a “LEED AP,” instead, the credit requires the involvement of a LEED AP Homes in order to earn the point.

Specifically, in order to qualify for LEED for Homes ID Credit 1.3, the following requirements must be met:

1) the professional must be credentialed as “LEED AP Homes” under the new LEED AP+ credentialing system through GBCI (Beta testing is complete and market-wide testing became available starting June 12th);

2) the LEED AP Homes must be a principal member of the project team and must NOT be a member of the verification team (i.e. the Green Rater);

3) the LEED AP Homes must have an “ongoing role” in the project including participation in meetings; AND

4) the LEED AP Homes must achieve the credential PRIOR to the preliminary rating (must be confirmed by Green Rater).

In order to earn the LEED AP Homes designation, an individual must pass both the “LEED Green Associate” test AND the “LEED AP Homes” test.

David Neiger, Principal at Populus, had the opportunity to take and pass the Beta version of the LEED Green Associate and the LEED AP Homes tests in early March 2009.  Discussing his experience of the exams, Neiger said: “The LEED Green Associate test bears some resemblance to the old LEED AP tests, however, the new LEED AP Homes test emphasizes residential building science and best practices including the content of the LEED for Homes Reference Guide.”

David will be teaching Populus’ LEED for Homes Intensive Training Classes starting on July 21, 2009.  The class is designed to expand an individual’s knowledge of the USGBC’s LEED for Homes Green Rating System or as a study course for the new LEED for Homes AP Plus exam.  Populus’ LEED for Homes Intensive Training will feature hands-on learning experiences that emphasize project team roles and credit requirements.  In addition, the training will include Green Rater demonstrations and in-depth discussions of building science and residential energy analysis.  You can register for Populus’ LEED for Homes Intensive Training here, or contact us at 303-325-7650.  Populus accepts payment by Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit cards.

Unlike the USGBC’s previous LEED AP exams, to take the new LEED AP exams, an individual must have previous experience with a LEED Registered Project in the three years prior to the application date.  This LEED project experience must be documented by a letter from a supervisor, client, or project manager, and must describe the individual’s involvement on the project as a consultant, contracted worker, member of the project team, LEED Homes Provider, LEED Commercial Reviewer, LEED Homes Green Verifier, or staff member of a Certifying Body.

Populus is a Boulder-based, full-service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus is your partner in high-performance design solutions, specializing in energy efficiency codes, green building certifications and LEED for Homes™ training.  Contact Populus at news@popboulder.com.