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Overview of USGBC and LEED Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
What role does an agent play in the LEED certification process?
Ans: An agent is a person or entity who is granted actual authority by the
owner to register the project and accept the certification agreement.
What are the four certification levels and point thresholds for LEED projects?
Ans: The four levels for LEED projects are LEED Certified (40-49 points), LEED
Silver (50-59 points), LEED Gold (60-79 points), and LEED Platinum (80+ points).
List five general steps of the LEED certification process.
Ans: Rating system selection, project registration, credit submittals, project
review, and project certification.
What part of the USGBC website is used to conduct the LEED registration and
certification process?
Ans: LEED Online, which is located on the USGBC website, is used to conduct
the LEED registration process. Once a project is registered, the project team
submits the required documentation for each prerequisite and credit for review.
What is the LEED project checklist?
Ans: The LEED project checklist is a single page list containing the name of the
rating system adaptation and a series of categories, such as a site, transportation,
location, water, energy, materials, indoor air, and innovation., with credits that
pertain to the project. The project team uses the project checklist to indicate
which credits and level the team will pursue for LEED certification.
What is the difference between a LEED prerequisite and a LEED credit?
© 2025/ 2026 | ® All rights reserved
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Ans: A LEED prerequisite is a mandatory project requirement for which no
points are assigned but ensures a minimum level of achievement within a category.
Prerequisites are listed in the categories before the credits on the project
checklist. A LEED credit is a part of a category within LEED rating system
adaptation that is assigned a point or a range of points, as listed on a project
checklist. A project team attempts to meet credit requirements of their choosing
to earn points toward LEED certification.
What is a credit interpretation request (CIR)?
Ans: A credit interpretation (CIR) is a fee based inquiry to the USBGC from a
project team requesting information about how to implement a strategy for a
certain prerequisite or credit.
Explain the role of the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), formly the Green
Building Certification Institute.
Ans: The Green Certification Business Inc. (GBCI), formally the Green building
Certification Institute, is the only certification and credentialing body within green
business and sustainability industry to exclusively administer project certifications
and professional credentials and certificates for LEED, PEER, WELL, SITES, EDGE,
and GRESB.
What is LEED and what do the letters stand for?
Ans: The U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED green building program is
the preeminent program for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation
of high performance green building. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design.
What is the LEED AP credential and how is it earned?
© 2025/ 2026 | ® All rights reserved
Overview of USGBC and LEED Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
What role does an agent play in the LEED certification process?
Ans: An agent is a person or entity who is granted actual authority by the
owner to register the project and accept the certification agreement.
What are the four certification levels and point thresholds for LEED projects?
Ans: The four levels for LEED projects are LEED Certified (40-49 points), LEED
Silver (50-59 points), LEED Gold (60-79 points), and LEED Platinum (80+ points).
List five general steps of the LEED certification process.
Ans: Rating system selection, project registration, credit submittals, project
review, and project certification.
What part of the USGBC website is used to conduct the LEED registration and
certification process?
Ans: LEED Online, which is located on the USGBC website, is used to conduct
the LEED registration process. Once a project is registered, the project team
submits the required documentation for each prerequisite and credit for review.
What is the LEED project checklist?
Ans: The LEED project checklist is a single page list containing the name of the
rating system adaptation and a series of categories, such as a site, transportation,
location, water, energy, materials, indoor air, and innovation., with credits that
pertain to the project. The project team uses the project checklist to indicate
which credits and level the team will pursue for LEED certification.
What is the difference between a LEED prerequisite and a LEED credit?
© 2025/ 2026 | ® All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Ans: A LEED prerequisite is a mandatory project requirement for which no
points are assigned but ensures a minimum level of achievement within a category.
Prerequisites are listed in the categories before the credits on the project
checklist. A LEED credit is a part of a category within LEED rating system
adaptation that is assigned a point or a range of points, as listed on a project
checklist. A project team attempts to meet credit requirements of their choosing
to earn points toward LEED certification.
What is a credit interpretation request (CIR)?
Ans: A credit interpretation (CIR) is a fee based inquiry to the USBGC from a
project team requesting information about how to implement a strategy for a
certain prerequisite or credit.
Explain the role of the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), formly the Green
Building Certification Institute.
Ans: The Green Certification Business Inc. (GBCI), formally the Green building
Certification Institute, is the only certification and credentialing body within green
business and sustainability industry to exclusively administer project certifications
and professional credentials and certificates for LEED, PEER, WELL, SITES, EDGE,
and GRESB.
What is LEED and what do the letters stand for?
Ans: The U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED green building program is
the preeminent program for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation
of high performance green building. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design.
What is the LEED AP credential and how is it earned?
© 2025/ 2026 | ® All rights reserved
