In this episode, Charlie Cichetti talks about LEED and WELL history and statistics. Along with a bit of storytelling, he discusses the latest numbers, trends, and LEED professional exams. By listening in, he hopes you can take the next step towards becoming part of the LEED movement. “Maybe you have a colleague or a friend… or a student you know needs a little nudge to finally go ahead, study, take the exam, pass it, and advance their career.” - Charlie Cichetti LEED AP Exam: A History There’s been about eighteen years’ worth of LEED projects, but the first LEED Accreditation Professional Exam first came out a year later, in 2001. The exam wasn’t updated until June 2009, the last time anyone could take it LEED NCv2.2’s exam. Three tiers to the exams rolled around one after another, more advanced, specific, and challenging. Updated LEED AP Exam LEED Green Associate (GA), Tier 1 of the new version of LEED exam, came out that summer. Everyone starts with this hundred-question exam, but not everyone opts to take the other tiers. Following the GA exam, Tier 2: Specialty was launched. People taking this exam get to be accredited in their desired fields of specialization. Tier 2 can be taken on the same day as the GA exam, provided that they pass it first. Sometime later, Tier 3: LEED Fellow also came out but is for 10+ year industry leaders and is not exam-based. Statistics of LEED This April 2018, USGBC updated their interactive overview of the number of holders of LEED credentials. LEED Professionals have risen in number for the past eighteen years. Worldwide, they are now about 202,000 in total. While this number may look huge, you must keep in mind that this is almost two decades’ worth of exams passeed. There’s no need to worry about how this can potentially hinder your career growth with a lot of competition because these credentials will stay with you as an individual. All it takes is a different perspective to see the benefits of taking this exam. “These LEED Professional credentials really are gonna help you in your career, make your company more competitive for that next bid, help you ask better questions.” - Charlie Cichetti   To hear more firsthand information regarding the LEED and WELL credentials, statistics, and trends, download and listen to the episode! Learn more about LEED and WELL: History and Statistics: LEED Professional Exams USGBC LEED Professionals at a Glance WELL Certification   Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES: Charlie on LinkedIn Green Building Educational Services GBES on Twitter Connect on LinkedIn Like on Facebook Google+ GBES Pinterest Pins GBES on Instagram   Don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes if you truly enjoyed the show. We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast!