LEED Green Associate
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ExploreAbout this exam
The LEED Green Associate is a professional credential offered through the U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI for people who want to demonstrate general knowledge of green building practices and the ability to support others working on LEED projects. USGBC describes it as ideal for those newer to sustainability and LEED, and as a credential that can strengthen a resume, open doors to new job opportunities and advance a career in the green building industry. There are no prerequisites or eligibility requirements, so candidates can register for the exam directly. The exam is two hours long and contains 100 multiple-choice questions, taken either at a Prometric Testing Center or from home as a remote proctored online exam, with translation aids available in eight languages. A passing score is 170 out of 200, and the exam fee is $250, with reduced pricing of $200 for USGBC members and $100 for students. Preparation should start with the LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, which covers exam content, policies and procedures, followed by review of green building concepts and how project teams implement LEED. Once credentialed, Green Associates maintain the credential by earning 15 continuing education hours within two years. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by USGBC or GBCI.
What you'll study
About LEED Green Associate preparation
How long is the LEED Green Associate exam, and how many questions does it have?
The exam is two hours long and has 100 multiple-choice questions, per USGBC's exam details. Plan your pacing around roughly one minute and ten seconds per question so you have room to flag and revisit harder items before time expires.
Where can I take the exam?
You have two options: a Prometric Testing Center or a remote proctored online exam taken from home. Both deliver the same 100-question, two-hour exam. Choose the remote option only if you can guarantee a quiet, private space and a stable internet connection for the full session.
What score do I need to pass?
USGBC lists a passing score of 170 out of 200. Because the reported score is scaled rather than a raw count of correct answers, you cannot map it directly to a number of questions you must get right; aim to be comfortably consistent across all content areas rather than strong in just a few.
How much does the exam cost?
The fee is $250. Students pay $100 and USGBC members pay $200. Confirm your eligibility category before registering, since the discounted rates depend on your student status or membership standing at the time you pay.
Do I need project experience or a prerequisite course to sit for the exam?
No. USGBC lists no prerequisites or eligibility requirements, and describes the credential as ideal for those newer to sustainability and LEED. Experience on a LEED project helps with context, but it is not required to register or to pass.
What does the exam actually test?
USGBC states the exam measures general knowledge of green building practices and how to support others working on LEED projects. The detailed content outline, along with exam policies and procedures, is published in the LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, which is the document to study against.
How do I keep the credential after I pass?
LEED Green Associates must earn 15 continuing education hours within two years of passing the exam. Hours can come from activities related to green building: education, project experience, authorship and volunteering. The CMP Guide explains how each activity category is documented and reported.
Can I reschedule or cancel my exam appointment?
Rescheduling and cancellations are permitted up to 3 days prior to the exam, and USGBC notes that some fees may apply. Treat the three-day mark as a hard deadline and confirm the exact terms in the candidate handbook before changing an appointment.
What happens if I fail - how soon can I retake it?
The LEED Green Associate page does not state a retake waiting period or retake fee, so no figure is given here. Check the current Candidate Handbook and your GBCI account for the applicable policy before scheduling a second attempt, and budget study time accordingly.
Are language accommodations available?
Translation aids are available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. These are translation aids rather than a translated exam, so confirm in advance how they are delivered during your appointment, particularly for the remote proctored format.