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About this course

Master the LEED Green Associate exam with this comprehensive practice test course featuring over 140 carefully crafted questions. This course includes nine targeted module quizzes covering all exam domains plus a 50-question practice exam that replicates the actual test experience. Each question comes with detailed explanations to reinforce key concepts, thresholds, and LEED fundamentals. Perfect for busy professionals, this self-paced course focuses on the concept recognition and standards knowledge tested on the actual exam—no complex calculations required. Whether you're new to green building or looking to validate your sustainability knowledge, this practice-focused approach will build your confidence and ensure exam success.

Learning Objectives

  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of LEED rating systems, certification processes, and organizational structure by correctly identifying appropriate rating systems, certification thresholds, and the roles of USGBC and GBCI across diverse project scenarios.
  • Apply green building principles to real-world situations by recognizing sustainable design strategies, integrative process requirements, and credit synergies that support environmental performance and occupant health.
  • Recall critical LEED thresholds and standards including water reduction percentages, distance requirements for transportation credits, ASHRAE standard applications, and material sourcing criteria without requiring complex calculations.
  • Evaluate project contexts to identify appropriate sustainable strategies, Regional Priority opportunities, and credit pathway selections that align with climate-responsive design and community engagement principles.

Course outline

10 modules
1 - 3 hours to complete
Welcome • 0 assignments
Orientation Materials

This is a free course. We take pride in our free courses, but keep in mind that this is only a taste of what we do in a full HeatSpring course. You can get started immediately after you enroll.

Module 1 • 1 assignments
LEED Process

Understanding USGBC's mission and GBCI's role in third-party certification. Knowledge of rating system selection criteria, four certification levels (Certified 40-49 pts, Silver 50-59 pts, Gold 60-79 pts, Platinum 80+ pts), and Minimum Program Requirements including permanent location and size thresholds. Distinguishing between mandatory prerequisites and optional credits across the eight credit categories.

  • LEED Process Quiz - 10 questions
Module 2 • 1 assignments
Integrative Strategies

Recognizing the importance of early team collaboration and systems thinking in green building design. Understanding when and how to engage different team members (architect, engineers, contractor, commissioning agent) and the role of design charrettes. Knowledge of Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) development and the integrative process credit requirements for energy and water analysis before schematic design completion.

  • Integrative Strategies Quiz - 10 question
Module 3 • 1 assignments
Location & Transportation & Sustainable Sites

Understanding site selection principles including sensitive land protection (prime farmland, floodplains, habitat), brownfield redevelopment benefits, and transit-oriented development. Knowledge of distance thresholds: ¼ mile for bus/streetcar, ½ mile for rail/ferry, and transportation demand management strategies. Site assessment components and sustainable site design including stormwater management, heat island reduction, and light pollution control.

  • Location and Transportation and Sustainable Sites - 10 questions
Module 4 • 1 assignments
Water Efficiency

Familiarity with baseline water fixture rates (1.6 gpf toilets, 1.0 gpf urinals, 2.2 gpm faucets) and required reduction thresholds: 20% indoor water reduction prerequisite, 30% outdoor water reduction prerequisite. Understanding WaterSense labeling requirements, water metering strategies, and alternative water sources like rainwater harvesting and graywater systems for achieving higher performance levels.

  • LEED Water Efficiency Quiz - 10 questions
Module 5 • 1 assignments
Energy & Atmosphere

Knowledge of key ASHRAE standards: 90.1 for energy performance baselines, 62.1 for ventilation requirements, and 55 for thermal comfort. Understanding fundamental vs. enhanced commissioning scope, energy metering requirements, and renewable energy options including on-site generation and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Recognizing the highest-weighted credit category in LEED and its connection to climate change mitigation.

  • Energy and Atmosphere Quiz - 10 questions
Module 6 • 1 assignments
Materials & Resources

Understanding construction waste management planning as a prerequisite and diversion thresholds (50% for 1 point, 75% for 2 points). Knowledge of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), material ingredient disclosure through Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and the 100-mile radius for regional materials. Recognizing life-cycle thinking principles and building reuse strategies for historic and abandoned buildings.

  • Materials and Resources Quiz - 10 questions
Module 7 • 1 assignments
Indoor Environmental Quality

Understanding mandatory IAQ prerequisites including ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation compliance and tobacco smoke control (25-foot no-smoking perimeter). Knowledge of enhanced IAQ strategies like MERV 13 filtration, low-emitting materials requirements, and thermal comfort standards. Recognizing daylighting metrics, quality views criteria (75% of occupied space), and acoustic performance requirements especially for schools projects.

  • Indoor Environmental Air Quality
Module 8 • 1 assignments
LEED GA practice exams

  • 50 question practice test
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

  • Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
  • Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate (members only)

Author

Brick Maier

Director of Enterprise Learning & Development, HeatSpring

I currently work on delivering tailored learning experiences that help partner teams solve problems faster. In a fast paced high change environment, training needs to be accurate, modular, and adaptable. I am developing programs that leverage the collective expertise of the crowd to vet and scale content to help teams apply what they learned in their role. I believe...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll.
How long do I have access to the materials?
For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your team.

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