There are over 65,000 LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs). These individuals are recognized as experts on the LEED Rating System. In November 2008 the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which administers the LEED AP credential, announced an overhaul in the program.
Starting in June 2009, LEED AP individuals will have to agree to continuing education requirements. New LEED AP individuals will face more rigorous accreditation requirements. The new system will feature multiple credentials and tiered requirements. The basic level will be known as LEED Green Associates. This would be for those professionals involved in the green building market, but limited exposure to actual LEED projects. LEED AP designations will refer to specialists in the main LEED rating systems. The designation will be LEED AP+ and it will pertain to LEED for building design and construction, interior design and construction, homes, neighborhood development and operations & maintenance. New applicants will have to pass a basic exam and a specialty exam. These individuals are commonly participating on LEED building project design teams.
LEED AP Fellow is the top tier in the new credential system. This honor is for those experts selected by their peers who have made major contributions to the green building design. The GBCI will be revealing more details of this credential later in 2009.
For those 65,000 LEED AP individuals who already passed the exam prior to May 2009, they will have two years to opt in to the GBCI disciplinary policy and continuing education program. They will be assigned the LEED AP+ designation based on their experience in a particular LEED specialty category. They will not be required to re-take the exam or to demonstrate experience on a LEED building project.