Big changes to the credentialing system of Canada’s green building world are coming. A new three-tiered credentialing system will be introduced across Canada and will ensure LEED professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices.

Since 2001, more than 100,000 building professionals have earned LEED AP, a professional designation that’s administered by the Canadian Green Building Council. The council’s job is to encourage the Canadian building industry to build greener homes, buildings and communities throughout the country. Now, after almost a decade of work, a survey of LEED AP members has shown that people are looking for even more specialization in the LEED credentialing system.

Industry professionals said they were looking for a credential system that differentiated expertise among green builders and provided specialization within different sectors of the industry.

That’s why this year the Canadian Green Building Council will transition to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). Established in 2008, the GBCI will take green credentialing in Canada to the next level, creating new LEED professional credentials recognized internationally.

This is good news for the green building industry. It reflects Canada is at the forefront when it comes to sustainable design, construction and operation. The new GBCI system will upgrade the LEED AP credential process allowing building professionals to attain three levels of excellence. Each tier recognizes a different level of green building skill. The three tier system includes the following rankings:

• LEED Green Associate
• LEED AP with Specialty
• LEED AP Fellow

There will also be requirements for credential maintenance as the LEED rating system continues to evolve. This will lead to an even stricter and more professional green building industry in Canada.