Chapter 4-6

Question 1

What is USGBC’s mission statement?

Answer 1

To transform the way buildings and
communities are designed, built, and
operated, enabling an environmentally
and socially responsible, healthy, and
prosperous environment that improves the
quality of life.

Question 2

Describe USGBC.

Answer 2

A nonprofit composed of
leaders from every sector of the building
industry working to promote buildings
and communities that are environmentally
responsible, profitable, and healthy places
to live and work.

Question 3

What is GBCI’s mission statement?

Answer 3

-To support a high level of competence
in building methods for environmental
efficiency through the development and
administration of a formal program of
certification and recertification.

-GBCI’s mission “is to be the premier organization independently
recognizing excellence in green building performance and practice
globally.”

Question 4

Describe GBCI.

Answer 4

Provides third‐party project certification
and professional credentials recognizing
excellence in green building performance
and practice.

Question 5

What is a TAG?

Answer 5

Technical advisory group within USGBC to

help the LEED rating systems to evolve.

Question 6

What are the two primary roles of USGBC?

Answer 6

• Develop LEED rating systems.

- Provide education and research programs.

Question 7

What are the two primary roles of GBCI?

Answer 7

-Administering the project certification
process with the help of certification bodies
-Administering the professional accreditation
process

Question 8

What are the five additional strategies of
the LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M rating
system as compared to the other rating
systems?

Answer 8

• Evaluating their exterior site maintenance programs
• Purchasing policies for environmentally preferred services and products
• Cleaning programs and policies
• Waste stream
• Ongoing indoor environmental quality

Question 9

What are the categories of the LEED for

Neighborhood Development rating system?

Answer 9

Smart Location & Linkage
Neighborhood Pattern & Design
Green Infrastructure & Buildings
Innovation
Regional Priority

Question 10

What are the two differences between

prerequisites and credits?

Answer 10

-Prerequisites are mandatory, as they address
minimum performance achievements, and
credits are optional.
-Prerequisites are not worth any points, while
credits are.

Question 11

What are the seven impact categories credit

weightings are based on?

Answer 11

• Climate Change
• Human Health
• Water Resources
• Biodiversity
• Material Resources
• Greener Economy
• Community

Question 12

What are the certification levels and

coordinating point ranges for LEED?

Answer 12

Certified: 40–49 points
Silver: 50–59 points
Gold: 60–79 points
Platinum: 80 and higher

Question 13

What is an RFI?

Answer 13

Request for information

Question 14

What is a CIR?

Answer 14

Credit Interpretation Ruling

Question 15

Most of the _________ rating systems require
at least _______ percent of the project’s gross
floor area to be complete by the time of
certification (except ________ rating system)?

Answer 15

• BD+C
• 60
• LEED for Core & Shell

Question 16

What are the three types of boundaries

associated with LEED projects?

Answer 16

• Building footprint
• LEED boundary line
• Property line

Question 17

According to the MPRs, what is the
minimum project size requirement for the
BD+C and O+M rating systems?

Answer 17

1,000 square feet

Question 18

According to the MPRs, what is the
minimum project size requirement for the
ID+C rating systems?

Answer 18

250 square feet

Question 19

What are the guidelines for referencing LEED

in product literature?

Answer 19

-Manufacturers may reference LEED in
their product literature providing that
the language neither states nor implies
endorsement by USGBC or the LEED
program. 

• The language must clearly acknowledge that LEED credit requirements do not cover the performance of individual products or brands.
• Products meeting LEED performance criteria can only contribute toward earning points needed for LEED certification; they cannot earn points individually for LEED certification.

Question 20

What must be achieved in order for a project

to be eligible for certification?

Answer 20

-Complying with all minimum program
requirements.
-Achieving all prerequisites.
-Earning a minimum of 40 points.

Question 21

The distance boundary from an existing
feature or natural body that a development
is required to abide by is referred to as
what?

Answer 21

Setback. Common setbacks include
minimum distance from the street and
sidewalk, or minimum distance from a
wetland or water body.

Question 22

What is a zero lot line?

Answer 22

A development in which the building
footprint is the same as the lot boundary.
This is common in urban areas.

Question 23

In a construction project, what is the site

area?

Answer 23

The total area within the project boundary
of the applicant building including all areas
of the property, both constructed and
nonconstructed.

Question 24

What is the tool in which project teams

utilize to communicate with GBCI?

Answer 24

LEED Online

Question 25

What is an LPE?

Answer 25

Licensed‐professional exemption. Path
decided on a submittal template to reduce
documentation requirements.

Question 26

What are the six characteristics of credit

interpretation rulings?

Answer 26

-Issued after a project is registered
-Issued for a fee
-Applicable only to the project submitting the
inquiry
-Submitted for clarification referencing one
credit or prerequisite
-Ruling is not final
-Submitted via LEED‐Online

Question 27

What are the three factors certification fees

are based on?

Answer 27

• Rating system
• Membership
• Square footage