Life after the LEED AP Exam – What’s next?

Many people have asked me, “What happens after when you pass the LEED AP Exam?” After you pass and have your celebratory cupcake, and after the first day you get back to your office and everyone asks you how the test was when really all you want to do is add the “LEED AP” to the end of your name on your email signature after that, not too much happens right away. But don’t get yourself down. You have put in the hard work, and it will eventually pay off, as it did with me.

A couple of weeks after my exam, a lot of my co-workers started to ask me about LEED and green building exam preparation. Even my senior was interested – as I am pretty sure he’s aware of the “Green Movement” in the building industry. Soon after, I got the promotion. I was expecting the promotion, but not until the end of the year. It was clear that my LEED credentials helped that come about much sooner than I expected. I am so grateful and I also joined an Institute, to further pursue and share my experience & knowledge of Green and Sustainable design. I have met many great people, and as you should know, your life excels with the connections and friends that you make – so it is definitely a great chance for me. I invite you to become as involved as you can now that you are or will be soon a LEED AP.

Am I currently occupied with any LEED projects? No – but I wish! I know quite a few LEED APs who are already involved with new LEED projects. I am quite jealous because now that I am LEED AP, I want to actually do what I am meant to do: certify projects. The project will come, so I am not worried. I am doing all I can to stay involved though, and by answering questions & helping students in LEED Green Associate (GA) Exam Preparation, I can still retain the information quite well.

So to answer the question, “What is next after the LEED AP exam?” For some, it’s a promotion or a raise, though it is never guaranteed. For others, it is being able to work on LEED projects for the first time. Some encouraged people are even becoming LEED consultants and starting their own consulting firms! For most – it’s just waiting 6 to 8 weeks for the certificates to come in the mail, along with waiting for that next opportunity to come by. Whatever road you choose, just realize that you have earned or will earn your credential, and you should be proud of yourself.