Article  LEED Certification Classes Prepare Attendees for New Careers In order to get into a professional career that deals with LEED certification, one must first pass an exam for the appropriate credit. There are several LEED certification classes available that train for such credit and are intended to help those who take them to pass a prerequisite exam.             LEED certification is the entitlement of a building that is environmentally friendly, meaning it is energy efficient and produces much less waste into the environment and air than other buildings. LEED accredited professionals work to consult with building designers and engineers and also run LEED certification classes. Their experience provides students with a fresh professional perspective and prepares them to pass the appropriate exam and begin their career path.             Courses are offered throughout the country. Those from nationally recognized schools and institutions can be found across the U.S. from New York City, Miami, to Seattle and Los Angeles. A facility could be right out your backdoor, check online resources to find locations near you.             Classes are offered for LEED 2.2, which deals with certification of new construction projects. Another course is the LEED Green Associate for preparation for the LEED exam 3.0. With this, a marketable credential can be attained and it also prepares professionals to become an LEED AP+.             Once the LEED Green Associate exam is passed, one is then eligible to take the Tier II LEED AP+ courses. These are divided into different classes that target specific topics of the Rating System. Classes in this group include LEED homes, which is suited for anyone in the residential housing market; Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance, which is tailored to building owners and operators; and Building Design & Construction (New Construction & Renovations). Others include Interior Design & Construction (Commercial Interiors), and Neighborhood Development, a new course that is expected to be available by January 2010. This course integrates various principles into a standard for urban neighborhood design.             Certification classes aren’t just limited to exam preparation. An introductory course provides an overview of projects, and another presents an overall perspective of the background of LEED and the associated rating systems.             There are many more and more classes offered, in real classrooms and online as well. A simple Google search yields a count of well over 13 million sites that mention LEED classes. You will no doubt be able to find a school near you.             The leading non-profit organization for LEED-related affairs, the U.S. Green Building Council, offers its own recommendations on classes and courses to take. Its website provides access to a few classes including workshops, online courses, and webinars. Their site offers updated news as well as a variety of resources that present a background of green building. Some of the online classes can be taken at an individuals’ pace, but can also be used to earn continuing education credits.             Green building is an evolving industry, and new credentials are being added currently. These updates can be found on leading websites and should be taken seriously for anyone who wants to gain a firm understanding. New classes and courses incorporate these changes and additions.             When pursuing LEED certification classes, the best way to go is to find a credible organization that offers them. Training Institutes and the U.S. Green Building Council are 2 great places to investigate when seeking a background in this industry. Not only are the courses organized to prepare someone for passing the exams, but they also expose students to professionals in the industry. Such interaction is beneficial for both learning about and for networking in case interest arises in further pursuing a career. Green building is becoming a standard in new construction and modifying existing buildings, and these are important tips to keep in mind. Category New Construction Author Admin Add To Favorites Print This Article Email Article To A Friend Post Comments   Rate This Article (0) 1 - Poor2345 - Good678910 - Excellent Added On 2009-04-22