Cascadia Membership and Passport FAQs

Canadian LEED FAQs (including upcoming changes to the Canadian LEED system)

Emerging Green Builders FAQs

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Cascadia Membership and Passport FAQs

How is Cascadia Membership different from USGBC/CAGBC membership?

Membership with the US Green Building Council and the Canada Green Building Council are company/organization based. Your company may join the USGBC/CAGBC however individuals join the local Cascadia chapter. Employees of USGBC and CAGBC member companies receive a discount on Cascadia membership however this discount does not extend to Cascadia programs and events.

I'm a member of Cascadia, does that mean that my company is a member?
Individual membership with Cascadia does not bestow membership to the individual's organization. However, companies interested in supporting Cascadia can do so through our Friends of Cascadia sponsorship program. For more information on becoming a Friend of Cascadia please click here.

What are the Cascadia membership cycles?
Cascadia has two membership cycles that align with our Friends of Cascadia fundraising cycles. These cycles are Jan 1st to December 31st and Jul 1st to Jun 30th. Any person that joins Cascadia from Oct 1st to Feb 28th is added to the Jan‐Dec cycle. Any person that joins from Mar 1st‐ Sep 30th is added to the Jul‐Jun cycle.

How do I renew my membership?
You can renew your Cascadia membership here. This is the same system that you would use to join as a new member. However, once you have filled in all of the required registration information please check "Yes" on the membership renewal box.

I’ve just joined Cascadia, when can I expect to receive my passport?
Passports are mailed each week on Fridays. New members should receive their passport within two business weeks of joining. If you have joined and not received your passport within two business weeks please contact Joanna Gangi, joanna@cascadiagbc.org or by calling 206‐223‐2028

I lost my passport! What should I do?
Members who lose their passports should contact Joanna Gangi at the Seattle office to receive a renewal passport. There is a $5 fee to receive a replacement passport.

What do I do when I fill the passport?
Congratulations! You're a true regional Green Building leader! Please mail your filled passport to Joanna Gangi at Cascadia's Seattle office: 410 Occidental Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104

You will receive your new passport along with your old passport to keep within two business weeks.

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Canadian LEED FAQ’s

In 2010 the Green Building Certification Institute GBCI will take responsibility for administering the LEED Accreditation Professional Exams in Canada. This will include the development of all new LEED exams, and administration of the new credentialing maintenance program. Exams will continue to be delivered through the Prometric Test Centres across Canada.

The changes mark a significant improvement in the evolution of the LEED AP Program.
The following information is intended to provide more information to green building practitioners and existing LEED AP’s about the changes you can expect to see in Canada. This FAQ sheet will be updated regularly as new information is received and posted.


Who is the GBCI and what is their role developing and delivering LEED exams?
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) was spun off by USGBC to administer credentialing and certification programs related to green building practice. The GBCI provides true 3rd party verification; development, analysis, and audit functions for LEED APs.
One of the first activities undertaken by the GBCI was a survey to understand what the LEED AP designation meant to LEED AP’s across the US and Canada. Through this research the GBCI identified 3 market challenges that must be met to continue to support LEED AP’s. These challenges included a LEED AP that stayed current, differentiated expertise among green building practitioners and specialization within different sectors of the industry.

Changes to the LEED AP program will evolve to include:
- 3 levels of excellence for a professional to pursue. This improves upon the current LEED Accreditation system by providing a mechanism to recognize knowledge and expertise beyond a basic understanding of green building practices. A tiered credentialing system allows the marketplace to distinguish between practitioners with basic, advanced, and extraordinary levels of knowledge.
- Eligibility requirements for all levels of the exam system
- Credentialing maintenance will be required for all levels of the exam. As sustainable technologies advance and the LEED rating system evolves, the LEED accreditation system needs a mechanism to ensure that LEED Professions have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices.

What are the new credentialing tiers and exams?
Tier I: LEED Green Associate
Evolving good environmental practice and being the first step in the LEED professionals career pathway, the LEED Green Associate credential attests to demonstrated knowledge and skill in understanding and supporting green design, construction and operations.
Exam: LEED Green Associate

Tier II: LEED AP with Specialization
The LEED AP with specialization credential signifies an extraordinary depth of knowledge in green building practices and specialization in a particular field: commercial building design & construction, commercial operations & maintenance, commercial interiors, residential design & construction, and neighbourhood development.
Exams:
LEED AP Operations + Maintenance
LEED AP Homes
LEED AP Building Design + Construction
LEED AP Interior Design +Construction
LEED AP Neighbourhood Development
Tier III: LEED AP Fellow
LEED Fellows enter an elite class of leading professionals who are distinguished by their years of experience and a peer review of their project portfolio. Fellows contribute to the standards of practice and body of knowledge for achieving continuous improvement in the green building field.
Exam: program requirements are currently in development

Will the CaGBC be replacing the current LEED Canada NC and LEED Canada CI exams?
Yes, the existing exam tracks will be replaced in early 2010. The CaGBC will not replace the existing LEED Canada exams in 2009 – meaning they will remain available in Canada at least until the 31st December 2009. When the existing LEED Canada exams are phased out, there will be a registration deadline (last date to register for the exams), followed by the last date that the exams can be written. These dates are:

• October 23rd, 2009. This will be the last date to book your LEED exam (either LEED NC or LEED CI). To do so, you book your exam on the the CaGBC website.

• December 31st, 2009. This is the last date in which you can write  the LEED Canada NC exam or the LEED Canada CI exam. On January 1st, 2010 these exams will no longer be available in Canada.  Even if you are taking an exam before this deadline, it must be scheduled before October 23rd, as noted above.

What are the eligibility requirements?
All 3 credentialing levels will have eligibility requirements, for more information visit www.gbci.org. Note that the GBCI website is not yet translated to French.

Should I write an existing LEED Canada exam, or should I wait for the new exams?
The answer to that question is up to you, and depends if you'd like to enter the new tiered system or if you'd like to become a standard LEED AP before that time.

If I am already a LEED AP, what happens to me?
Existing LEED AP’s (i.e. people who have passed the test before Dec. 31, 2010) will have the option to ‘opt in’, or not, to the new credentialing maintenance program. For those that opt in they have two choices, to pursue either the LEED Green Associate credential, or the LEED AP with specialization. If you choose to become a LEED Green Associate, then you must meet the credentialing requirements for this credential. If you choose to become a LEED AP with specialization, then you must demonstrate equivalency with the new exams in one of two ways:
i. Meet prescriptive continuing education requirements (visit www.gbci.org for detail), or;
ii. Write the new LEED AP exam with specialization

For those that do not opt in to the new credentialing maintenance program, they will need to:
i. Do nothing. You will continue to enjoy your LEED AP designation; and your name will continue to be
found in the CaGBC LEED AP database.

What if I want to write one of the new GBCI specialty exams, such as Operations & Maintenance or Homes?
First, you will have to meet the eligibility requirements to write the LEED Green Associate exam. Secondly, you will have to meet the eligibility requirements to write the Operations & Maintenance exam. You can write both exams at the same time, or space them out.

Is there a date at which we need to opt in to the new credentialing maintenance program?
This has not yet been determined.

Will I require continuing education in the future?
The GBCI’s new Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) will support the new credentials. This means that LEED Green Associates will need to achieve 15 continuing education credits during a 2 year continuing education cycle, and LEED AP’s (with specialization) will need to achieve 30 continuing education credits. To find out how you can achieve your continuing education credits visit www.gbci.org.

When do I need to complete my credentialing maintenance requirements?
This has not yet been determined.

When can I write the new GBCI exams in Canada?
The CaGBC is working with the GBCI to determine when the new exams will be ready for release in Canada. More information will be posted over the summer.

When will the exams be available in French?
The exams will be made available in English and French at the same time.

Will there be reciprocity between the USGBC & the CaGBC with the new exams?
Your new GBCI credential will be recognized by the USGBC as well.

How can I study for the upcoming exams?
The CaGBC is developing new training workshops to help practitioners prepare for the new exams. Table 1 outlines the training that will be available.

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Cascadia Emerging Green Builders - FAQs

What is the Emerging Green Builders (EGB)?
The Emerging Green Builders is a USGBC Committee aimed to integrate students and young professionals into the green building movement primarily through its local chapter network.

Who can be an emerging green builder?
An emerging green builder is anyone interested in becoming more involved in green building from any discipline of study or practice. Largely this group is comprised of students and young professionals but EGB also incorporates seasoned professionals who are new to the green building industry.

How can I become involved?
To hear about EGB events and news, subscribe to the Cascadia chapter listserve at www.cascadiagbc.org. You can also click here for events, job opportunities and EGB discussion. For more information on the national Emerging Green Builders visit the USGBC website.

Why join the Emerging Green Builders?
Membership to the Emerging Green Builders provides access to information, networking opportunities and discounts on USGBC materials and Cascadia events! You will also be identified as an Emerging Green Builders supporter on the Cascadia Chapter website. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Cascadia Emerging Green Builders, please email info@cascadiagbc.org.

How do I become a LEED AP?
To become a LEED Accredited Professional (people are accredited, buildings are certified) you must pass the LEED AP exam, a 2 hour, 100 multiple choice exam that tests you on your LEED knowledge of the rating system, processes and
documentation. To make an appointment call 1- 888-215-4154. To join a study group, visit the Cascadia website for access to regional study groups.

What resources exist to study for the LEED AP exam?

• The Reference Guide & Rating System
• Cascadia LEED 2.1 Flashcards
  
• Colorado Study Guide
  
• The Cascadia Communities Coalition wiki LEED study groups
  

If you have any more questions or comments, please email aleisha@cascadiagbc.org
or visit the Cascadia Chapter website.