Please click on the Certification Process link above to view updated information regarding review delays.
To earn LEED certification, a project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points outlined in the LEED Rating System under which it is registered.
Application & Fees
LEED-Online Application
Most LEED registered projects are able to use LEED-Online to document their application for LEED certification. This online workspace allows an administrator to build a project team, assign credits to appropriate individuals, and submit to USGBC for review. Projects registered under the following balloted rating systems are able to document and submit using LEED-Online:
- LEED for New Construction v2.2
- LEED for New Construction v2.1
- LEED for Core & Shell v2.0 full certification
- LEED for Commercial Interiors v2.0
- LEED for Existing Buildings v2.0
- LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
- LEED for Schools
In addition, LEED for Retail: New Construction and LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors Pilot projects use LEED-Online.
» Click here to log into LEED-Online.
Paper Application
Projects registered prior to the availability of LEED-Online are still able to use the "paper" submission method (document projects electronically on CD and/or via hardcopy binders).
Projects that are using the following Rating Systems may use LEED-Online OR the paper method; however, USGBC strongly encourages these projects to use LEED-Online.
- LEED for New Construction v2.1 (not using NCv2.2 credit substitution)
- LEED for Commercial Interiors v2.0 (registered prior to January 2006)
Projects that are using the following Rating Systems MUST use the "paper" submission method:
- LEED for New Construction v2.0*
- LEED for Core & Shell v2.0 precertification
* Note: LEED for New Construction projects v2.0 have the option of upgrading to LEED for New Construction v2.1 or v2.2.
» Click here for more information on submitting LEED documentation using the "paper" method.
» Click here for more information on LEED for Core and Shell v2.0 Precertification. *UPDATED (April 2, 2009)
LEED for Homes registered projects can find out more about the application format and process through a local provider; click here to access the LEED for Homes provider page.
Certification Fees
The certification fee is based on the rating system that the project is certifying under, and the size of the project. This fee is paid when the project team submits documentation for review. The table below outlines the rates.
| |
Less than 50,000 Square Feet |
50,000-500,000 Square Feet |
More than 500,000 Square Feet |
Appeals (if applicable) |
| LEED for: New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Schools, and Core & Shell full certification |
Fixed Rate |
Based on Square Footage |
Fixed Rate |
Per credit |
| Design Review |
| Members |
$1,250.00 |
$0.025 / sf |
$12,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Non-Members |
$1,500.00 |
$0.030 / sf |
$15,000.00 |
$500.00 |
| Expedited Fee* |
$5,000.00 regardless of square footage |
$500.00 |
| Construction Review |
| Members |
$500.00 |
$0.010 / sf |
$5,000.00 |
$500.00 |
| Non-Members |
$750.00 |
$0.015 / sf |
$7,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Expedited Fee* |
$5,000.00 regardless of square footage |
$500.00 |
| Combined Design & Construction Review |
| Members |
$1,750.00 |
$0.035 / sf |
$17,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Non-Members |
$2,250.00 |
$0.045 / sf |
$22,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Expedited Fee* |
$10,000.00 regardless of square footage |
$500.00 |
| LEED for Existing Buildings |
Fixed Rate |
Based on Square Footage |
Fixed Rate |
Per credit |
| Initial Certification Review |
| Members |
$1,250.00 |
$0.025 / sf |
$12,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Non-Members |
$1,500.00 |
$0.030 / sf |
$15,000.00 |
$500.00 |
| Expedited Fee* |
$10,000.00 regardless of square footage |
$500.00 |
| Recertification Review** |
| Members |
$625.00 |
$0.0125 / sf |
$6,250.00 |
$500.00 |
| Non-Members |
$750.00 |
$0.015 / sf |
$7,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Expedited Fee* |
$10,000.00 regardless of square footage |
$500.00 |
| LEED for Core & Shell: Precertification |
Fixed rate for all projects |
Per credit |
| Members |
$2,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Non-Members |
$3,500.00 |
$500.00 |
| Expedited Fee* |
$5,000.00 |
$500.00 |
* In addition to regular review fee. For more information on the Expedited Review process, click here.
** The Existing Building Recertification Review fee is due when the customer submits the application for recertification review. Before submitting, please contact customer service (leedinfo@usgbc.org) to get a promotion code.
If your company is a USGBC member, your corporate ID must be added to your site account in order to receive member pricing. If you cannot locate your company’s corporate ID, contact us. If paying by check, please allow approximately 10 business days for processing.
Note: All fees are subject to change. Sorry, no refunds. There is, however, a rebate for all certification fees if Platinum Certification is earned. Click here to see more information on Platinum Certification Rebates.
» Click here to see certification fees for projects registered between 2002 and 2005.
Certification Process
The information below pertains to LEED-Online certification for fully balloted Rating Systems only.
Note: the "Paper" certification process is outlined here. Additionally, certification processes for registered Pilots are available on the Registered Project Tools page.
Review Timelines
For design & construction rating systems (all rating systems except LEED for Existing Buildings), the project team administrator has two options for submission: the Combined Design & Construction Review, and the Split Design & Construction Review. The Combined Review is only available for projects that have reached substantial completion. The split review is available to projects that are ready to submit "Design" credits for review well ahead of substantial completion of the project. The timelines of these two review processes are outlined below.
Review will not commence until payment is fully processed. Please allow approximately 10 business days for check processing.
Note that LEED for Existing Buildings projects are only able to follow the combined review process.
NOTE: The following review delay estimates are updated on a weekly basis. Please be assured that USGBC is working hard to maintain the integrity of the LEED certification process, and we are addressing the issues causing these delays.
For LEED for New Construction (all versions) and LEED for Schools, project teams can expect delays of 1-2 weeks from the date of submittal for their project to begin the review process. The project team will be notified when their project enters review; due to increasing review volume, review results may be delayed by up to 6 weeks.
For LEED for Commercial Interiors, project teams can expect delays of 1-2 weeks from the date of submittal for their project to begin the review process. The project team will be notified when their project enters review; due to increasing review volume, review results may be delayed by up to 6 weeks.
For LEED for Existing Buildings (all versions), project teams can expect delays of 1-2 weeks from the date of submittal for their project to begin review; due to increasing review volume, review results may be delayed by up to 6 weeks.
For LEED for Core & Shell v2.0 full certification, project teams can expect delays of 1-2 weeks from the date of submittal for their project to begin the review process. The project team will be notified when their project enters review; due to increasing review volume, review results may be delayed by up to 6 weeks. For LEED for Core & Shell v2.0 precertification, project teams can expect delays of 1-2 weeks from the date of submittal for their project to begin the review process. The project team will be notified when their project enters review; due to increasing review volume, review results may be delayed by up to 6 weeks. |
| Combined Design & Construction Review* Existing Buildings Review (initial certification and recertification) |
Split Design & Construction Review |
| Review phase |
Length |
Review phase |
Length |
| Preliminary review: The project team submits all attempted credits and prerequisites. USGBC returns them to the project team as "earned," "clarify," or "denied."** |
25 business days Expedited: 12 business days |
Preliminary design-phase review: Before substantial completion, the project team submits all attempted Design credits and prerequisites. USGBC returns them to the project team as "anticipated," "clarify," or "denied."** |
25 business days Expedited: 12 business days |
| PROJECT TEAM Preliminary Review Response: Project team responds to any credits or prerequisites marked as "clarify" and resubmits to USGBC. |
Up to 25 business days Expedited: 10 business days |
PROJECT TEAM Preliminary design-phase response: Project team responds to any credits or prerequisites marked as "clarify" and resubmits to USGBC. |
Up to 25 business days Expedited: 10 business days |
| Final review: USGBC reviews the resubmitted credits and returns a final review of all credits and prerequisites, which will either be marked "earned" or "denied." |
15 business days Expedited: 7 business days |
Final design-phase review: USGBC reviews the resubmitted credits and returns a final review of all Design credits and prerequisites, which will either be marked "anticipated" or "denied." |
15 business days Expedited: 7 business days |
| PROJECT TEAM Accept or Appeal: The project team has 25 business days to choose to accept or appeal the results of the final review. |
Up to 25 business days |
PROJECT TEAM Accept or Appeal: The project team has 25 business days to choose to accept or appeal the results of the final design-phase review. |
Up to 25 business days |
| Appeal: Denied credits or prerequisites may be resubmitted to USGBC for appeal. USGBC will return the appealed prerequisite(s) or credit(s) to the project team as "earned" or "denied." |
25 business days Expedited: 12 business days |
Design-phase Appeal: Denied design-phase credits or prerequisites may be resubmitted to USGBC for appeal. USGBC will return the appealed prerequisite(s) or credit(s) to the project team as anticipated or denied. Project teams may also appeal design-phase credits at the end of the construction-phase review. |
25 business days Expedited: 12 business days |
| |
Preliminary construction-phase review: After substantial completion, the project team submits all attempted Construction and/or NEW Design credits and prerequisites. USGBC returns them to the project team as "earned," "clarify," or "denied."** |
25 business days Expedited: 12 business days |
| PROJECT TEAM Preliminary construction-phase response: Project team responds to any credits or prerequisites marked as "clarify," and resubmits to USGBC. |
Up to 25 business days Expedited: 10 business days |
| Final construction-phase review: USGBC reviews the resubmitted credits and returns a final review of all credits. |
15 business days Expedited: 7 business days |
| PROJECT TEAM Accept or Appeal: The project team has 25 business days to choose to accept or appeal the results of the final review. |
Up to 25 business days |
| Construction-phase Appeal: Denied Construction OR Design credits or prerequisites may be appealed. USGBC will return the appealed prerequisite(s) or credit(s) to the project team as anticipated or denied. |
25 business days Expedited: 12 business days |
* The LEED for Core & Shell precertification process is considered a "combined" review.
** LEED for New Construction v2.1 and LEED for Commercial Interiors v2.0 projects may also receive credits marked as "audit." For more information, please consult the "audit documentation" sections of credits in the respective reference guides.
Expedited Review Process
Project teams may request expedited reviews for LEED for New Construction, LEED for Schools, LEED for Existing Buildings, LEED for Commercial Interiors, and LEED for Core and Shell projects. Expedited reviews are subject to a fee in addition to standard certification fees. USGBC reserves the right to deny any request for an expedited review.
NOTE: Due to volume, USGBC is currently NOT accepting any requests for expedited reviews.
Teams may request an expedited review for:
- a complete LEED certification review
- a Design Review only
- a Construction Review only
- an Appeal Review
Project teams interested in requesting an expedited review should call the USGBC main office at 202-828-7422 and ask to speak with a member of the LEED certification team. You must submit -- and at the discretion of USGBC, USGBC must accept -- an expedited review request no less than 10 business days before the start of your project’s scheduled review. You must then submit your certification fee, expedited fee, and application for LEED certification to USGBC within 10 days of their acceptance.
» See the Expedited Review fee schedule
» See the Expedited Review timeline
Certification Award
The official certification date of the project is the date USGBC receives notice of a project team's acceptance of the Final LEED Review. USGBC will then contact the project team regarding fulfillment details, including their certificate and LEED plaque.
Platinum Certification Rebates
Projects that are awarded LEED platinum certification will receive a rebate for all certification fees. The rebate applies to projects that certify using LEED for New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings, LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Core & Shell, or LEED for Schools. Projects that certify under future versions of LEED (excluding pilot projects and LEED for Homes projects) will also be eligible. Registration fees, appeal review fees, and any additional fees required to expedite LEED certification will not be refunded.
