To achieve the professional designation of USGBC LEED Green Associate from the USGBC, candidates must clear the GA Exam with the minimum cut-off score. For those who wish to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam with good percentage, please take a look at the following reference document detailing what should be included in USGBC LEED GA Exam preparation.
The USGBC GA Exam Summary, Sample Question Bank and Practice Exam provide the basis for the real Certified LEED Green Associate exam. We have designed these resources to help you get ready to take USGBC LEED Green Associate (GA) exam. If you have made the decision to become a certified professional, we suggest you take authorized training and prepare with our online premium USGBC LEED Green Associate Practice Exam to achieve the best result.
USGBC GA Exam Summary:
| Exam Name | USGBC LEED Green Associate |
| Exam Code | GA |
| Exam Fee | USD $250 ($100 for students, $200 for USGBC members) |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Passing Score | 170 out of 200 |
| Format | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Books / Trainings | Preparing for the exam |
| Schedule Exam | USGBC |
| Sample Questions | USGBC LEED GA Exam Sample Questions and Answers |
| Practice Exam | Certified LEED Green Associate Practice Test |
USGBC LEED Green Associate Syllabus Topics:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| LEED Process (15 Questions) |
- USGBC/GBCI organization fundamentals (e.g. mission/vision, non-profit, role of USGBC/GBCI) - Structure of LEED rating systems (e.g., credits and/or Minimum Program Requirements for LEED Certification, prerequisites, regional and international compliance) - Benefits of LEED certification (e.g., added value/cost savings, biodiversity, conservation of resources and carbon monitoring/assessment, human wellbeing, water management, supply chain responsibility) - Identification of available research and market resources (e.g., interpretation database, LEED user, white papers) - Overview of different LEED rating systems (e.g., rating system families [e.g., BD+C, ID+C, O+M], rating system selection) - LEED development process (e.g., consensus based, rating system updates/evolution process, stakeholder and volunteer involvement) - Goals and objectives of LEED categories (e.g., EA, EQ, IP, LT, MR, PR, SS, WE, synergies) - Impact areas (e.g. decarbonization, ecological conservation and restoration, quality of life) - LEED certification process (e.g. Addenda, awareness of different system versions, certification levels, LEED Interpretations, regional and international compliance, required documentation, review phases, 3rd party verification) |
| Integrative Process Planning and Assessments (6 Questions) |
- Assessments and integrative process (e.g., early assessment, systems thinking, life cycle cost analysis) - Integrative project team members (e.g., architect, community stakeholders, consultants, contractor, engineers, facility manager, landscape architect, owner, technicians) |
| Location and Transportation (9 Questions) |
- Site selection (e.g. avoiding sensitive habitats, locations in areas with existing infrastructure and nearby uses, project priorities, targeting sites in previously developed and brownfields) - Transportation demand management (e.g., access, active and alternative transportation modes, alternative fuel vehicles, ridesharing, commuting emissions, infrastructure and design, quality, reduction in parking footprint, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)) - Equitable development (e.g., compact and connected development, equitable access, supporting local economy) |
| Sustainable Sites (8 Questions) |
- Site assessment (e.g., environmental assessment) - Site design and development (e.g., construction site compliance measures, exterior open space, habitat conservation and restoration, heat island reduction, lighting pollution reduction, rainwater management resilience, reduction of disturbance of natural areas) |
| Water Efficiency (10 Questions) |
- Outdoor water use (e.g., use of graywater/rainwater, smart irrigation controllers, use of native and adaptive species) - Indoor water use (e.g., concepts of low flow/waterless fixtures, process water, types and quality, use of graywater/rainwater, water-efficient appliances, water treated on site) - Water performance management (e.g., assessment tools, cooling towers, leak detection, measurement and monitoring, water metering and sub-metering, water quality) |
| Energy and Atmosphere (15 Questions) |
- Building loads (e.g., choice of equipment and appliances, envelope efficiency, heating and cooling loads, space usage [e.g., individual space, private office, shared multi-occupant spaces]) - Energy efficiency (e.g., energy modeling, heating and cooling systems, operational energy efficiency, passive design strategies, thermal comfort) - Alternative and renewable energy practices (e.g., energy storage, green power, reduced peak loads, renewable energy, renewable energy certificate (REC)) - Energy performance management (e.g., benchmarking, building automation controls / advanced energy metering, energy use measurement and monitoring, energy storage, monitoring-based commissioning, ongoing commissioning, operations and management) - Environmental concerns (e.g., electrification and decarbonization, global warming potential, greenhouse gases, non-renewable resources, ozone depletion, refrigerant management, resource depletion, sources and energy resources) |
| Materials and Resources (11 Questions) |
- Life-cycle impacts (e.g., concept of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), design for flexibility, human and ecological health impacts, material component) - Embodied carbon (e.g., life-cycle assessment (LCA)) - Product purchasing and declarations (e.g., raw materials sourcing, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) - Reuse, recycle, and repurpose (e.g., buildings, furniture, interiors, materials) - Waste (e.g., composting, construction and demolition, maintenance and renovation, operations and ongoing, waste diversion, waste management plan) |
| Indoor Environmental Quality (11 Questions) |
- Indoor air quality (e.g., construction management best practices, filtration, green cleaning, low-emitting materials, management of and improvements to indoor air quality, natural ventilation, smoke control, testing and monitoring, ventilation levels) - Lighting (e.g., controlling light, daylight, electric lighting quality, glare control, lighting levels) - Sound (e.g., acoustics, noise isolation) - Thermal conditions (e.g., access to thermal controls, adaptive comfort, occupant comfort, thermal comfort design) - Biophilic design (e.g., adaptable environments, live plants, quality of views) - Accessibility and inclusion (e.g., inclusive design) |
Both USGBC and veterans who’ve earned multiple certifications maintain that the best preparation for a USGBC GA professional certification exam is practical experience, hands-on training and practice exam. This is the most effective way to gain in-depth understanding of USGBC LEED GA concepts. When you understand techniques, it helps you retain USGBC LEED Green Associate knowledge and recall that when needed.
