1.1 Current Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
- The LEED AP BD+C Specialty exam has 100 multiple-choice questions (85 scored plus 15 unscored research items) delivered by Prometric in a 2-hour testing window.
- Passing requires a scaled score of 170 out of 200, regardless of how many raw items you answer correctly.
- An active LEED Green Associate credential is the prerequisite for the stand-alone Specialty exam; candidates without it must take the combined LEED GA + AP exam back-to-back.
- Fees are $250 for USGBC members taking the combined LEED GA + AP exam and $400 for non-members taking the Specialty-only exam, with the LEED v4.1 BD+C Reference Guide as the primary source.
- Credential maintenance is a 2-year cycle requiring 30 continuing-education hours, including at least 6 BD+C-specific hours, reported through your USGBC account.
What the LEED AP BD+C Exam Actually Measures
The LEED Accredited Professional Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) credential signals that you can apply the LEED rating systems to projects that fall under the Building Design + Construction family: New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Retail, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers, Hospitality, and Healthcare. It is the specialty tier above the LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) foundation credential.
The exam is owned and developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). The test itself is delivered by Prometric, either at a Prometric test center or remotely via the ProProctor online proctoring platform when you take the stand-alone Specialty exam. The combined LEED GA + AP format is test-center only.
Unlike many certifications, LEED AP BD+C is not a degree-required exam. There is no minimum education or work experience mandated by GBCI, but the LEED candidate handbook is explicit that prior LEED project experience is strongly recommended because most items are scenario-based.
Exam Logistics at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Credential body | USGBC (develops); GBCI (administers) |
| Delivery vendor | Prometric (test center or ProProctor remote) |
| Format | Computer-based, multiple choice |
| Total items | 100 (85 scored + 15 unscored research/pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours (about 2 hours 20 minutes appointment time) |
| Passing score | 170 of 200 on a scaled score (range 125-200) |
| Prerequisite | Active LEED Green Associate (or pass GA + AP combined) |
| Primary reference | LEED v4.1 BD+C Reference Guide |
| Combined fee (USGBC member) | $250 for LEED GA + BD+C Specialty |
| Specialty-only fee (non-member) | $400 for BD+C Specialty |
| Credential validity | 2 years per reporting cycle |
| Continuing Education (CE) | 30 CE hours per cycle, including 6 BD+C-specific hours |
| Retake wait | After 3 failed attempts in 12 months, wait 90 days to re-register |
The 9 Content Domains and Their Weight
GBCI publishes a content outline that maps every question to one of nine knowledge domains. The weights below reflect the share of the 85 scored items.
- LEED Process - ~9% (about 8 items)
- Integrative Strategies - ~11% (about 9 items)
- Location & Transportation - ~11% (about 9 items)
- Sustainable Sites - ~11% (about 9 items)
- Water Efficiency - ~11% (about 9 items)
- Energy & Atmosphere - ~17% (about 14 items) highest weight
- Materials & Resources - ~14% (about 12 items)
- Indoor Environmental Quality - ~13% (about 11 items)
- Project Surroundings & Public Outreach - ~5% (about 4 items)
The practical implication: Energy & Atmosphere (EA) and Materials & Resources (MR) together account for roughly 31% of scored items. If your study schedule is constrained, the highest return on hours sits in those two domains plus Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ).
Scoring You Should Understand Before Test Day
The 200-point scale is a scaled score, not a percentage. GBCI uses statistical equating so that one form of the test is not unfairly easier or harder than another. As a candidate, three rules follow:
- You will not see a raw percentage on your score report - only the scaled score.
- The 15 unscored research items are mixed in randomly and look identical to scored items; assume every question counts.
- A 170 scaled score is generally interpreted as answering roughly 60 of 85 scored items correctly, but the cut varies slightly by form.
Registration, Eligibility, and Fees
You register through your USGBC account, then schedule through the Prometric/GBCI scheduling portal. Two paths exist:
- Combined Exam (LEED GA + AP BD+C) - both exams taken back-to-back at a Prometric test center. The combined member rate is $250. This is the only path for candidates who do not already hold the LEED Green Associate.
- Stand-alone Specialty - for candidates who already hold an active LEED GA. Non-member pricing for the Specialty-only exam is $400; ProProctor online delivery is available.
All candidates must be 18 or older. Failed candidates may retake the exam after a short waiting period, but after three failures in any 12-month window, GBCI imposes a 90-day wait before another registration.
Credential Maintenance
The credential is valid for 2 years per reporting cycle. To maintain LEED AP BD+C status you must earn 30 continuing-education (CE) hours during the cycle, including a minimum of 6 BD+C-specific hours. CE is self-reported through the USGBC Credentials portal. Letting the credential lapse triggers a re-enrollment fee and, after extended inactivity, may require re-examination.
What scaled score does a candidate need to pass the LEED AP BD+C Specialty exam?
Which of the following is required before a candidate can register for the stand-alone LEED AP BD+C Specialty exam?