LEED rating system

The most widely used green building rating system.

Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes | LEED Platinum | Photo: ©denmarsh photographyinc.

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LEED-certified green buildings are better buildings

LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. LEED certification offers a framework for healthyefficientand cost-effective green buildingsproviding environmental and social benefits. It serves as a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadershipsupported by a committed community of organizations and individuals driving market transformation.

LEED is designed for all building types and phases

LEED is for all project types and phasesincluding new constructioncore and shellinterior fit-outsoperations and maintenanceneighborhoods and cities. To select a rating systemreview the rating system selection guidance.

Building Design and Construction (BD+C)

For the design and construction of whole buildingsand additions to buildingsof various use types that are either new construction or undergoing major renovations.

Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

For complete commercial interior fit-out projects that have no scope for the exterior shell of the building and/or site work.

Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

For existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no constructionO+M offers an opportunity to pay close attention to building operations by supporting whole buildings that have been fully operational and occupied for at least one year.

Neighborhood Development (ND)

For new land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential usesnonresidential usesor a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development processfrom conceptual planning to construction.

Residential

For the design and construction of high-performance residential buildings.

Cities

For entire cities and sub-sections of a city. LEED for Cities projects can measure and manage their city’s water consumptionenergy usewastetransportation and human experience.

How LEED works

LEED is holistic. As a frameworkit addresses everything from energy and water use to materials selectionmanaging waste and indoor environmental quality through a series of credit categories tailored for each rating system. To achieve LEED certificationa project must first complete all prerequisites and then earn points by selecting and satisfying credit requirements. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: CertifiedSilverGold and Platinum.

Platinum
80+ points earned

Gold
60-79 points earned

Silver
50-59 points earned

Certified
40-49 points earned

Certification process for the LEED BD+CID+Cand O+M rating systems

Determine the appropriate LEED rating system and version: LEED v5 LEED v4.1 or LEED v4. Review the minimum program requirements and prerequisites for credit categories related to your chosen rating system.
Depending on the selected versionregister the project in Arc (LEED v5) or LEED Online (LEED v4.1 and LEED v4).
Choose the credits that align with your project’s goals and build your LEED project scorecard. Learn more about the credits in the LEED credit library.
Manage the implementation of your sustainability strategies with your project team. Assign credits to team members and document the achievement of prerequisites and credits.
Submit documentation for review in Arc or LEED Online.

LEED project tools and resources

LEED is powered by comprehensive education offerings designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to designbuildand operate sustainable buildings. Through eventscoursescredentialing programsand continuing educationprofessionals can lead the way in creating a healthiermore resilient built environment. Learn more.

Understanding LEED and getting started

Minimum program requirements Project teams that are new to LEED use the minimum program requirements (MPRs) to determine whether their building type is eligible to achieve a LEED rating. While most are eligiblethe MPRs define the types of buildings that LEED was designed to evaluate.
Rating system selection guidance: This information helps project teams identify the most appropriate LEED rating system for their project. View the rating system selection guidance.
LEED credit library: This is the central resource for understanding LEED credit requirements. It provides details on compliance paths and points earned. Explore the credit library.
Guide to Certification: This resource outlines the overall process of pursuing LEED certificationincluding key stepspoliciespricing and deadlines for each rating system. This is the roadmap to getting certified. Read the guide.
LEED reference guides: Comprehensive guides that provide in-depth explanations of each credit and prerequisite within a specific rating system. You can think of these as detailed instruction manuals. View LEED v5 guides and LEED v4 guides.

Project development and documentation

Sample forms: Access required documentation templates and examples to demonstrate compliance with LEED credits. View sample forms.
Addenda: A repository of clarificationcorrectionsand interpretations of the LEED rating systems to ensure consistent application. Search the database.
Regional priority credits: Identify LEED credits that address specific environmental priorities in your project’s geographic locationpotentially earning extra points. Search regional priority credits in the database.
Pilot credits: Explore and utilize newinnovative credits that are being tested for potential inclusion in future LEED rating systems. Access pilot credits or register to pursue a pilot credit.

Project promotion

Once a project earns certificationshowcase the achievement with LEED certificatessignage and a press release. Learn more.

LEED rating system

LEED-certified green buildings are better buildings