Changes to LEED Accreditation in 2009

With the new version of the the LEED Rating System (LEED 2009) being launched in March 2009, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has announced the changes it will be implementing for LEED AP accreditation. Here's a summary of what those changes will be and how they will affect current LEED Accredited Professionals.

New LEED APs:

• The new LEED exams (yes, there will be multiple) will begin beta testing in February 2009.
• At the same time, the GBCI's new multiple tier accreditation system will take effect.
• These tiers will include LEED Green Associate, LEED Accredited Professional, LEED AP Fellow and the Legacy LEED AP, each with their own requirements & fees.
• Visit the GBCI's LEED Credentialing Facts for more information.
  

Current LEED APs:

• The current LEED AP exam will be phased out. The final opportunity to take this exam under the current rules will be May 2009.
• After that all current LEED APs will become known as Legacy LEED APs.
  
• Starting in June 2009, Legacy LEED APs have two years to opt in to the new system. Once you decide to opt in, you have another two years to complete the requirements. If you haven't updated your credential by then (a maximum of four years if you're deadline-driven), you can no longer use it and must start from square one.
• Legacy LEED APs must sign on to a disciplinary policy, which is basically a code of ethics for LEED APs. There will also be credentialing maintenance (continuing education) requirements, which haven't been outlined yet, and a biannual "maintenance fee" of $50.

BuildingGreen.com's recent article Major changes announced for LEED AP credential program
also provides a great overview of these upcoming changes.