Washington, D.C. — The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has been established with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to administer credentialing programs related to green building practice and standards. GBCI was created to develop and administer credentialing programs aimed at improving green building practice.

“Credentialing programs support the application of proven strategies for increasing and measuring the performance of buildings and communities as defined by industry systems such as the LEED Green Building Rating Systems,” commented Peter Templeton, vice president of Education & Research, U.S. Green Building Council.

GBCI will ensure that the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) program will continue to be developed in accordance with best practices for credentialing programs. To underscore this commitment, GBCI will undergo the ANSI accreditation process for personnel certification agencies complying with ISO Standard 17024.

In January 2008, USGBC will transfer responsibility for the ongoing administration of the LEED Professional Accreditation program to GBCI; GBCI will manage all aspects of the LEED AP program including exam development, registration and delivery. GBCI will also oversee the development of the maintenance program for LEED AP credential holders.

The GBCI website, www.gbci.org, provides credential-related information for LEED APs and interested candidates, and is the place to learn about LEED Professional Accreditation; register for the LEED AP Exam; find LEED Accredited Professionals in; access LEED AP exam records and manage LEED AP Directory listings.

GBCI will serve as the independent administrator of the LEED Professional Accreditation program. USGBC will continue to manage the development of the LEED Green Building Rating System and to provide related resources and educational offerings. LEED APs will not have to do anything and their credential will not be affected with this change. Candidates for LEED Professional Accreditation will be able to access information and resources readily on the GBCI website. All activities related to the development and delivery of the LEED AP program will be managed by GBCI staff and volunteers. GBCI encourages LEED AP credential holders to volunteer to support the continuous improvement of the program.

About GBCI
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is a newly incorporated entity established with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council to administer credentialing programs related to green building practice and standards. GBCI was created to develop and administer credentialing programs aimed at improving green building practice. GBCI will ensure that the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) program will continue to be developed in accordance with best practices for credentialing programs. To underscore this commitment, GBCI will undergo the ANSI accreditation process for personnel certification agencies complying with ISO Standard 17024.