Industry Profesionals

What We Do

The USGBC’s vision for sustainable design and building practices is articulated in our Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™, or LEED^®, principles. LEED is a national rating system for evaluating the performance and sustainability of buildings. USGBC members, representing every sector of the building industry, have developed and continue to refine LEED to serve as a ‘green standard’ for sustainable design and construction.

LEED addresses all building types including new construction, core & shell, commercial interiors and existing buildings. It addresses specific large scale applications such as industrial, retail, multiple building scenarios, campuses, schools, healthcare facilities, laboratories, and large-scale lodging. Residential and neighborhood LEED programs are under development. Based on established scientific standards, LEED emphasizes strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficient design, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

LEED promotes expertise in green building through a comprehensive system of professional skills that offer project certification, professional accreditation, training, and practical resources.

• LEED Professional Accreditation
• LEED Workshops
• LEED Development Process

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LEED Professional Accreditation

A LEED Accredited Professional™, or AP, is an individual that has earned the distinction of demonstrating their ability to serve on a LEED project team and provide detailed knowledge of LEED project certification requirements and processes. A LEED AP also has a command of integrated design principles. LEED accreditation is awarded to building industry practitioners who successfully demonstrate these proficiencies on a comprehensive exam.

New Mexico has more than 170 LEED Accredited Professionals who are architects, engineers, realtors, and other industry professionals. Accreditation is the key to changing the built environment, and promoting education efforts among professionals is one of our core funtions. Accreditation exams are offered on a per request basis.

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LEED Workshops

Nationally, more than a dozen workshops are conducted every month by top green building practitioners. The USGBC also offers LEED topic modules; specifically tailored, half-day sessions that address the broad needs of LEED users by exploring topics specific to individual building types, areas of professional practice, as well addressing critical market issues such as the economics of LEED certified projects.

See our New Mexico chapter workshops in our Events section.

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LEED Development Process

USGBC member committees develop the LEED Rating System via a robust consensus process that has been refined during the past decade. The key elements of USGBC's consensus process include a balanced and transparent committee structure; Technical Advisory Groups to ensure scientific consistency and rigor; stakeholder comment and review; member balloting of new rating systems and changes to existing rating systems; and a fair and open appeals process.