Life After the LEED AP Exam - What’s Next?
March 28, 2008 – 11:31pm
A lot of people have asked me, “What happens after you pass the LEED AP Exam?” Well at first - nothing really. After you pass and have your celebratory beer or cupcake, and after the first day you get back to your office and everyone asks you how the test was when really all you want to do is add the “LEED AP” to the end of your name on your email signature - after that, not too much happens right away. But don’t get yourself down. You’ve put in the hard work, and it will eventually pay off, as it did with me.
A couple of weeks after my exam, a lot of my co-workers started to ask me about LEED. Even my boss was interested - as I’m sure he’s aware of the “Green Movement” in the building industry. Even the principal, my boss’ boss, pronounced that I was doing such a great job and taking initiative - doing things above and beyond what was asked of me. Soon after, I received a promotion. I was expecting a promotion, but not until the end of the year. It was obvious that my LEED credential helped that come about much sooner than expected. I am so grateful. I also joined the ULI, the Urban Land Institute, to further pursue (and share) my knowledge of Green and Sustainable design. I’ve met a lot of great people, and as you should know, your life excels with the connections and friends that you make - so is definitely a great opportunity for me. I invite you to become as involved as you can now that you are (or will be soon) a LEED AP.
Am I currently involved with any LEED projects? No - but I wish! I know quite a few new LEED APs who are already involved with LEED projects. I’m quite jealous because now that I’m LEED AP, I want to actually do what a LEED AP was meant to do: certify projects. The project will come, so I’m not worried. I’m doing all I can to stay involved though, and by answering questions and maintaining this blog, I can still retain the information quite well.
So to answer the question, “What’s next after the LEED AP exam?” For some, its a promotion and/or a raise, although it’s never guaranteed. For others, it’s being able to work on LEED projects for the first time. Some motivated people are even becoming LEED consultants and starting their own consulting firms! For most - it’s just waiting 6 to 8 weeks for our certificates to come in the mail, along with waiting for that next opportunity to come by. Whatever road you choose, just realize that you’ve earned (or will earn) your credential, and you should be damn proud of yourself.
Before I finish, I’d like to mention a blog started by Joel McKellar, LEED AP, who has also recently passed his exam. His blog focuses on LEED and real life projects, rather than the exam itself. He is actually working on a quite a few LEED projects himself, and he’s documenting his questions and experiences. Maybe after you’re finished with this blog, you can migrate over to his and stay up-to-date on the many questions people have while applying LEED to the real world. I’ve read it, and so far, and it’s great. Kudos to Joel.Cheers!
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21 Responses to “Life After the LEED AP Exam - What’s Next?”
Hi pat,
I’ve just received my LEED-NC Practice problems.
Thanks it will be helpful for my preparation for the exam.
Thanks and best of luck.
By Fadi on Mar 31, 2008
Hey Pat,
Great website, Wrote the Canadian exam and passed, took your tips, plus your submittal phase table really helped.
Thanks,
Steven
By Steven Chu on Apr 16, 2008
Thank you, Pat, for the incredible resource. I passed today with a 196 - couldn’t have done it without this site.
By Cheri on Apr 28, 2008
I took and passed the LEED -NC exam today!
Last September I sat in on a workshop with a LEED AP who came in to teach our Project Execs and Project Managers about LEED (I work for a construction firm that has built LEED projects but didn’t have anyone in house that was accredited)I decided it was important and decided to persue it. I found out there was going to be a 5 week workshop through the USGBC and I signed up for it and then gave myself 2 weeks after the couse to take the test. It turned out to be a good strategy. We had study groups and talked about resources which is how I found this website. Take practice exams and study,study study!!!
I can’t wait to get started on projects.
By Nora Fay on Apr 30, 2008
I just wanted to let you know that I passed the LEED for New Construction exam on my first try! Woohoo!! I cannot thank you enough for such a wonderdul website. It helped immensely in preparing for the test and getting my head in the “right” place. As an Urban Planner, this whole construction world is a little out of my league, but after navigating this site and using the tips provided here, I felt really comfortable moving forward with the test. Thanks again!!!
By Rebeca on May 5, 2008
To Steven, Cheri, Nora and Rebeca:
Great job on passing the test! You all deserve it! Good luck in your LEED careers!
Spead the word about http://www.intheleed.com!
Cheers!
By Pat on May 9, 2008
I passed the LEED NC exam today !!!!!!!!!!! first try. I am so happy.
By Jhon Michigan on May 9, 2008
Aha! I did it, I did it. First shot 196 on 200. Many of the traditional methods didn’t quite work for me. The brain dump, the wmsie… nothing. Just hard core studying or “mugging” as we used to cal it back in India.
The sample test from USGBC Colorado’s study guide was the most helpful. Researching the answers to each of the questions there and reading further was very helpful.
I’d say 20% easy questions. 65% reasonably difficult questions. And 15% really tough nuts to crack with difficult “best of all correct” choices.
By SIG on May 10, 2008
Done. 190/200 in first try, I feel like 2,000 pounds lighter now. Does anyone know how long does it take to be listed in the GBCI webpage?? I know that I should be receiving the certificate in 4-6 weeks, but when should I expect the system to acknowledge my passing score??? thanks……..
By AA on May 12, 2008
less than a week for me, AA. Congrats!
By Pat on May 12, 2008
Ah, it feels great to have those 6 letters and one hyphen added after my name professionally, even id its only been 5 hours so far. Yup, passed this morning and I have you and your site to thank. I took it and failed it with a 163 on April 29 after only reading the book and taking LEEDPASS. I was OK technically but lacking in administrative/procedural stuff and a lot of the questions tricked me.
Last week, i came across this site and read your outlines and memorized your chart. That and study the application/CIR/appeal process.
Today, 175 and done. I’ll take it. The brain dump helped organize my thoughts during the test. And my knowledge of LEED process went from 40% to 80%. That and knowing the tricks to look for and it went better this time.
This arguably was the most difficult standardized or professional exams I’ve ever taken, and the only one I ever failed. I felt knowledgable even when i failed the test, now I feel more knowledgeable AND confident.
I’ve already passed the link to this site to other candidates in the office. You wrote the perfect Cliff’s Notes to LEED. You should publish it- heck I would buy it as a resource even after now having passed the test.
Again thanks for this site!
-Rich Vehlow PE MBA LEED-AP
HVAC Engineer
New York State Office of General Services
Albany, NY
By Rich Vehlow PE, MBA, LEED-AP on May 15, 2008
Done and done. Results were updated today and what a relief. I had been reviewing on and off for about the last 5 months, but it has only been in the last 2 weeks that I really study. Your website has been a great help and I thank you for putting a great resource tool for everyone to follow.
By Anthony on May 22, 2008
Took the LEED-NC Test today… and passed!!!
Thanks so much Pat for all of your help. Big focuses on my test were flush rates and # of bicycles.
When it comes to studying aides In The LEED is by far well… In The LEED. haha Also the greenexamprep was very helpful.
Thanks again guys and WOOHOO
By Dan G on Jun 2, 2008
I passed my LEED NC exam yesterday, scoring 192! I’m so happy!!!
I guess for me it was even harder, as English is not my first language. But the materials from your blog have helped me a lot. Thanks for doing that! I will recommend your www to whoever takes the challenge next.
By HannaTN on Jun 3, 2008
I passed the lead exam yesterday thanks to your website. It is by far the most helpful out there! Your brain dump idea was GENIUS! I am telling everyone in my company about the site. You need to write a book…LEED for Dummies or The Idiot’s Guide to LEED. Your information is essential to passing the exam!
By Tiffany W on Jun 12, 2008
I second Tiffany. You gotta write a book: LEED for Dummies or The Idiot’s Guide to LEED!
By Susie on Jun 22, 2008
I second Tiffany. You gotta write a book!
By Susie on Jun 22, 2008
I passed my LEED NC exam yesterday! Alot of hardwork,determination, perservarence and focus but absolutely worthwhile journey and looking forward as of today to more challenges - applying what learnt into real work! Thanks to this blog (Pat) for the incredible help though it has been quite challenging for me sometimes to apply what in here to the Canada Leed-NC version. Anyways,I learnt mostly from US based-Leed study sites and materials (greenexamprep, dr harvey,colorado). There is no Canadian equivalent. And yes, the braindump was great - I had just 10mins before starting the test, to dump all P&C and referenced standards onto the scrap paper with a nervous hand! Thanks to all!.
By Lilian on Jun 25, 2008
Thanks so much for putting this website together. I found it about a week before the exam (LEED CI) and realized through reading your posts that I was actually NOT in the good shape I had previously thought I was in. I crammed and crammed in those last few days and looked at info I hadn’t even considered before - and passed with a 188. Phew! Without this resource I wouldn’t have done as well.
By Natalie on Jun 27, 2008
Pat,
I took the test today and passed!
This site has helped incredibly, I am letting another study group that recently formed know about you and your website!
Thanks for hanging in there months after you passed, I have this impulse to take all my study materials and have my friends shower them out my second floor window, while I triumphantly parade on, ticker tape style…
I would love to know how your life will be down the road for you Pat,and I will log on time to time…
Thanks again!!
Valeria
By valeria on Jul 11, 2008
How long does it take the USGBC to send certificates????
I cant write this off until I get the sheepskin! :0
By Nowell on Aug 21, 2008