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LEED is the international rating system to ensure better residential buildings. LEED requires third-party on-site verification and performance testing by a LEED Green Rater, and demand is growing. Now, residential and mixed-use projects of any size can go under the LEED Residential rating system.
If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Green Rater to assist projects in achieving LEED certification, the LEED for Homes Green Rater program, this training is for you.
The LEED for Homes Green Rater Training is designed to prepare qualified participants to provide verification services on LEED Residential projects.
Review the 10 steps below, along with the program details and costs.
Review the USGBC application here
Note GBCI States you Must “Have at least three years of relevant onsite work experience in the construction industry.”
If you need clarification on your experience, contact greenrater@usgbc.org and send them your resume with details to confirm.
If you need help with experience, we might be able to assist you with this. Contact Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.org
Q. Do I need to submit my experience?
A. No, you do not need to submit experience in your application, but you may get audited by GBCI to prove it.
Become a GHI member here to receive free materials and training.
Take our GHI LEED Green Associate course here – Free for GHI members.
Get enrolled in https://www.gbes.com/leed-green-associate-exam-prep/ for free if you or your company are members of GHI
Take the practice exam multiple times until hitting at least 90% in all areas of green.
Schedule the real exam following the instructions in the LEED GA handbook listed on page 4 – 6 – $250.00 – This can be done in person or virtually.
You must maintain your credential with 15 CE hours every two years. Free relevant CEUS for GHI members are available live and on-demand to help you.
Once you become a LEED Green Associate, your next step is to take our Understanding LEED For Homes Course (free for members)
Then, enroll in the GBES LEED AP Homes Practice Exam too (free for members)
Take the practice exam multiple times until hitting at least 90% in all areas of LEED for Homes.
Schedule the real AP HOMES exam (See the LEED AP Specialization candidate handbook document pg 4 – 7, 20 – 24 and 34 – 35) – $350.00 – This can be done in person or virtually.
You must maintain your credential with 30 CE hours every two years. Free relevant CEUS for GHI members is available live and on-demand to help you.
To become a LEED Green Rater, you must have a “Have a thorough understanding of basic building science in the areas of
At least one CEU demonstrates this for each of these items.
You already qualify for this if you carry one of these credentials
Before taking this step, it is essential to understand that a “Qualified Professional” is required to serve as an energy rater for LEED requirements credits in the Energy and Atmosphere section. If you need a Qualified Professional to partner with, we can help you find one; however, in many countries, such professionals may not be readily available.
Therefore, you should consider becoming a “Qualified Professional” serving as an energy rater for LEED, which also enables you to meet the prerequisite requirement for step 4 to become a LEED Green Rater.
Please review this LEED addendum on these requirements if you are outside of the United States to understand what is needed for a “Qualified Professional” serving as an energy rater for LEED. https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10443
If you believe you meet this requirement, please email Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.org your resume to request authorization approval from our quality assurance manager.
The GreenHome Institute offers multiple paths to help you meet the 4-hour CEU building science training to become a LEED Green Rater and to be authorized as a “Qualified Professional” serving as an energy rater for LEED. Some will take longer than others and delay you from becoming a LEED Green Rater, but it may be your best opportunity.
Pathway 1 – Attend our 4-hour on-demand building science training
If you do not intend to be a “Qualified Professional” serving as an energy rater for LEED and are working with one, then this pathway is for you. You can understand this by taking the 4 course on building science CEU training here.
This training is discounted by 5% for GHI members, and you can learn more about becoming a member here.
If you change your mind, the 4 hours in this class will count toward the 12 hours needed to become a Qualified Energy Professional. See more below.
Pathway 2 – Take the online virtual on-demand “Qualified Professional” serving as an energy rater for LEED training.
If you intend to be a “Qualified Professional” serving as an energy rater for LEED on your projects, this longer pathway is for you. This pathway contains training from Addenda 10443 of 4 hours of formal training in each of the following: building science fundamentals, air sealing inspections, insulation inspections.
This training is discounted by 5% for GHI members, and you can learn more about becoming a member here.
This pathway 12 hour training here will only complete your training portion as laid out. However, you will still need to prove “Experience performing energy inspections and testing on at least two building projects with a similar scope of work,” which GHI can assist you with once you complete the training.
Once you complete this or if you require clarification on your experience and education, please contact Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.org and send your resume to GHI, including details about your building science training and project audit experience, as outlined in the addenda.
Pathway 3 – Do you need a formal credential to put on your resume?
The authorization to serve as a Qualified Professional on a LEED project is not a formal credential or certification. If you need this, you can take one of two pathways below.
Building Science Institution (BSI) International Verifier Level One Training here. This training also includes training on energy modeling needed for LEED. The level 2 verifier training will include blower door and duct blaster training as well. This training is discounted by 10% for GHI members, and you can learn more about becoming a member here.
We can also help you become a Certified HERS Rater if you wish, but it will likely require traveling to the United States or flying a trainer to your country. To do that, you’ll need to go back to the Energy Smart Institute and complete some more training, which we can help you set up if you need to https://energysmartinstitute.com/become-a-certified-hers-rater/
This training is discounted by 15% for GHI members, and you can learn more about becoming a member here.
In any case, please get in touch with Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.org if you need help determining your pathway.
This website page is designed to help you enroll in this course. You may begin now at any time if you have completed step 1 – 5 and start completing your online self-paced modules. Begin this course by clicking here.
Course cost is $750 for Non-Members & $350 for GHI members | Group Buy Discounts and partner discounts are available.
Courses are done monthly, and finals are submitted on the last day of each month. If you do complete your course within the month, you roll over to continue into the next month, but you only have 6 months to complete your course.
This class requires the purchase of the live reference guide https://www.usgbc.org/resources/web-based-reference-guide – $99
All Students will
Learning Objectives
Continuing Education – 15 Hours (includes modules)
On-the-Job Training Alternative
We are offering an on-the-job training alternative that allows you to take the training through a preliminary plan review of a real LEED project. This must be an active project that intends to pursue LEED certification, and you must bring it to us and register it with us. Pricing for this pathway is case-by-case, but to get started, please submit your project inquiry here and include in the notes that you want to use this project for training. This will also include step #7.
Join a virtual call with GHI Education Manager Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.org to finalize your training. The call will be scheduled based on your availability once step 6 is completed.
Take the exam here LEED Green Rater Exam | U.S. Green Building Council the fee is $45.00, and you must register under your GBCI account.
Review the application here and gather these documents to submit toGreenrater@Gbci.org
LEED AP Certificate
Green Rater Agreement Signed
GHI Certificate of course completion (this course)
GBCI LEED Green Rater Exam Certificate
Wait one month for a response after the submission
Having a mentor is optional but highly recommended, especially for high-stakes projects such as those involving tax credits, building code requirements, utility incentives, or very demanding clients. GHI may assist you with this. Every two years, you must submit basic details showing your involvement in two LEED-registered projects. They may be the same projects.
In addition, you must have a Qualified Energy Professional on your project, and you may now wish to begin this training. Contact us to learn more.
Course Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How Long is the course?
The course takes most working professionals two weeks, so ensure your employer gives you paid time off to take it. Each course will be one month long, with modules due on the last day of each month and live training on the last day of the month. We will submit on the last day of each month for those attendees who have completed their coursework. If you did not complete your coursework within the month, you will be rolled over to the next month and will not have to start over. If you do not complete the course within 6 months, you will lose access and have to pay to start over.
Q. Before taking this course, do I need to be a LEED AP first?
A. No, but you will need to become a LEED AP within six months of taking the course, or you will be required to retake the course at an additional fee. GHI highly advises you to first become a LEED Green Associate, then a LEED AP, and then take this Green Rater Course. We have outlined an easy step-by-step pathway for you to do so here https://greenhomeinstitute.org/education/become-a-leed-accredited-professional-ap-homes/
Please note LEED AP specialties such as O+M and others do not qualify for Homes or BD+C. LEED AP legacy does not qualify.
Q. Do you provide the final Green Rater Exam, and how long do I have to take it?
A. The final LEED Green Rater Exam is not managed or developed by the GreenHome Institute but by USGBC. This exam will be an additional fee for you, paid to USGBC. We encourage you to reserve the rest of the day after you complete your course so you can do it right away. Please do not wait, as many who do never take it. You have six months to complete your exam; if you do not, you must retake our course.
Q. Is this a training on the LEED V4 and v4.1 Residential Rating system credits and requirements?
A. Yes and no.
To succeed in this class, you should have some exposure to the general LEED rating system and how it works. This class aims to help you know how to verify LEED requirements, not necessarily know all the details of designing and building a LEED Home. Please attend our 4-hour on-demand LEED for Homes Course before taking this course if you are not already a LEED AP Homes. This course is free for all GHI members. Also, be sure to complete the step 5 modules.
Q. After paying the course fee to GHI, are there any other payments I need to make to pass this course?
A. Yes, the course fee will not include a few other things you need
You will need access to the LEED Credit Library at $99 a year, which is also needed for the exam and to be an active rater https://www.usgbc.org/resources/web-based-reference-guide
You will need to purchase the final exam from GBCI for $45.00
You may need to pay for LEED GA and AP preparation, study, and exam fees if you are not an AP already
You may need to pay for building science education (See step 4 above) and/or fees to become a rater
Q. I have an active LEED project that I need to get trained on now. What do I do?
A. GHI can provide you with a LEED Green Rater for your project, and you may go through the training and be mentored on that project simultaneously. Contact us for details and pricing, as each project is unique. Use this form LEED for Homes Project Inquiry Form.
Q. What technology do I need to take this course?
A. You need an internet connection, a traditional browser, speakers, and a device that can run Excel or an application that can run Excel. You must be able to fill out this LEED workbook. This requires version 7 of Excel or higher for PC and 2011 for MACS. You must be able to open PDF and Microsoft word. You must be able to have a browser that supports the thinkific platform and zoom platform.
Q. Can I pay by check?
A. Yes, we will send you an invoice, but we are requesting it be a bank-to-bank payment first to see if that works and if not you can send the check. Training will be delayed until the check is received.
Q. What is the refund policy?
A. The 100% refund is being granted minus the $50 processing fee if you have not completed any modules on the course or worked with our education manager on training details. Once you start the course, the refund will % will be based on the % of the course you have completed. At any time, you may transfer 100% of the remaining refund to other GHI courses or programs as well. Refunds are on a case-by-case basis, so please reach out quickly if you have a concern.
Q. Do you offer live training for my team?
A. Yes, we offer a live but virtual training for your team. The cost is $3,000 for non-GHI members and $2,450 for corporate yearly paid members.
Your total course fees will depend on your starting background level.
| GHI members | Not a GHI Member | |
| GHI Green Rater Class Cost* | $350.00 | $750.00 |
| USGBC Green Rate Exam Fee | $45.00 | $45.00 |
| GBCI LEED Credit Library Full Access | $99.00 | $99.00 |
| Total Course Costs Green Rater Training Only | $494.00 | $894.00 |
| 4 Hour Building Science Training (if needed) | $76.00 | $80.00 |
| Green Associate Training & Exam Prep (if needed) | $250.00 | $750.00 |
| LEED AP Homes Training & Exam Prep (if needed) | $550.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Additional Full Course Costs with prerequisite trainings** | $1,370.00 | $2,724.00 |
GBCI / LEED AP Homes – 15 hours only
BPI: 15 Hours
Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier – 15 Hours
AIA/HSW*
NARI Green
Certified GreenHome Professional
SARA
AIBD*
*May be applicable to your local state-based design or contractor license
Looking to become a National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Verifier? This is one pathway to get qualified for that credential.
All trained LEED green raters are qualified to be GreenHome Inspectors and DOE Home Energy Score Assessors.
Brett has served at GHI since 2011 and, since then, has helped oversee the LEED for Homes program, ensuring certification over nearly 10,000 units across 100’s projects. Brett helps instruct or moderate online and in-person education sessions, frequently conducting more than 50 per year. He serves as a LEED for Homes Green Rater on small, affordable housing projects in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, USA. Additionally, he helps administer the Enterprise Green Communities program for low-income housing projects across the Midwest and the internal GHI GreenStar Homes Program.
