Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators with a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions. LEED can be applied to all building types – and to entire neighborhoods. 

LEED Rating Systems

LEED rating systems are groups of requirements for projects that are pursuing LEED certification. Each group is geared towards the unique criteria and uses of a specific project or building type.  These rating systems are: 

• LEED for Building Design & Construction 
• LEED for Interior Design & Construction 
• LEED for Building Operations & Maintenance 
• LEED for Neighborhood Development 
• LEED for Homes 
• LEED for Cities & Communities 

The above rating systems also include considerations for building use types, including schools, hospitals, retail, data centers, and warehouses. 

Certification Levels (excluding LEED for Homes) 

Projects can earn any of four levels of certification based on the number of points they achieve:

LEED Credit Categories 

All of the LEED rating systems address five main credit categories for certification. Within each category, projects must satisfy prerequisites and earn points. LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development have additional credit categories. The number of points a project earns determines its level of certification. The main credit categories are:

Integrative Process

These credits incentivize project teams to set early goals and collaborate to achieve them, while also doing early analysis on water and energy systems for the best results. 

Location and Transportation

These credits ask project teams to consider how people get to and from the project location for better human health impacts and lower environmental footprint, prioritizing locations with existing infrastructure and multiple transportation options. 

Sustainable Sites

These credits encourage strategies that minimize the impact on ecosystems and water resources. 

Water Efficiency

These credits promote smarter, more efficient use of water, inside and out, to reduce potable water consumption.

Energy & Atmosphere

These credits promote better building energy performance and efficiency through innovative strategies.

Materials & Resources

These credits encourage using sustainable, transparent, and healthy building materials and reducing waste. 

Indoor Environmental Quality

These credits promote better indoor air quality and access to daylight and views.

Bonus Credit Categories 

Innovation in Design

These credits address sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five main credit categories. This can include pursuing one of LEED’s Pilot Credits. Six bonus points are available in this category. 

Regional Priority

These credits address regional environmental priorities for buildings in different geographic regions. Four bonus points are available in this category. 

LEED Accreditation

For more information on LEED, click here to visit the USGBC website. 

While buildings that achieve LEED certification are referred to as LEED Certified, people who hold professional credentials relating to the rating system are referred to as LEED Accredited. Each LEED rating system has a corresponding LEED specialty for professionals. Visit GBA’s LEED credentials page to learn about these certification opportunities.