LEED V4/4.1 COURSE PROGRAM

Leed V4/4.1 course program

This live, instructor-led course provides an in-depth overview of the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system, with a focus on understanding the structure, intent, and practical application of prerequisites and credits across all major credit categories. The course is designed to support professionals involved in the design, construction, and delivery of LEED projects by explaining how sustainability goals are translated into project requirements and documentation strategies.

The course covers the LEED certification framework, including the role of USGBC and GBCI, the LEED certification process, Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs), certification levels, and the organization of the rating system. Participants will explore each LEED BD+C credit category—Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation, and Regional Priority—with emphasis on credit intent, key compliance paths, synergies between credits, and common project considerations.

Special attention is given to credits that require early design coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration, such as site selection, energy performance, material transparency, indoor environmental quality, lighting quality, refrigerants, renewable energy, and commissioning. The course also addresses how LEED v4 encourages integrative design approaches, lifecycle thinking, and informed decision-making throughout the project timeline.

Real project examples and case references are used to illustrate how LEED requirements are implemented in practice and how design and construction teams can align project goals, local regulations, and LEED criteria. Interactive discussions and knowledge-check questions are included to reinforce key concepts and support applied understanding of the rating system.

Target audience:
This course is intended for architects, engineers, sustainability consultants, project managers, developers, contractors, facility managers, and other built environment professionals involved in LEED BD+C projects or seeking to expand their working knowledge of LEED v4.

Benefits of the course:
Participants will gain a structured understanding of the LEED v4 BD+C rating system, improve their ability to interpret credit requirements, and better understand how sustainability objectives, project decisions, and documentation are connected. The course supports practical application of LEED principles in real-world projects and helps participants build confidence in working within LEED v4 project teams.

Pre-requisite knowledge:
Participants are expected to have a basic familiarity with green building concepts or prior exposure to LEED or sustainability-related projects. No advanced technical calculations or prior LEED credential are required.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the structure of the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system and the intent of prerequisites and credits
  • Identify key requirements and common compliance pathways across major LEED BD+C credit categories
  • Evaluate synergies and interactions between credits within and across credit categories
  • Apply LEED v4 principles to typical project scenarios, including planning for documentation and coordination requirements
  • Describe how LEED credit requirements support improved building performance and informed project decision-making

Course agenda

Morning

Course Agenda – Timed Schedule (Live, Instructor-led)

Total Educational Contact Time: 6.0 hours

09:00 – 09:15 (15 min)

Welcome and Course Introduction

  • Course objectives and agenda overview
  • Overview of LEED v4 BD+C scope and course structure
    (Non-CE / administrative introduction)

09:15 – 10:00 (45 min)

LEED Framework and Certification Process

  • Role of USGBC and GBCI
  • LEED rating systems and certification levels
  • Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)
  • Overview of the LEED certification process

10:00 – 10:45 (45 min)

Integrative Approach and Credit Synergies

  • Intent-based structure of LEED credits
  • Interactions and trade-offs between credit categories
  • Importance of early design coordination
  • Integrative strategies across project phases

10:45 – 11:00 (15 min)

Break (Non-CE)

11:00 – 12:15 (75 min)

Location & Transportation, Sustainable Sites, and Water Efficiency

  • Credit intent and key compliance pathways
  • Site selection considerations
  • Transportation access and land use strategies
  • Water efficiency performance goals

12:15 – 13:00 (45 min)

Lunch Break (Non-CE)

Afternoon

13:00 – 14:30 (90 min)

Energy & Atmosphere

  • Minimum Energy Performance and optimization strategies
  • Commissioning and energy metering
  • Refrigerants and environmental impact
  • Renewable energy and demand response

14:30 – 14:45 (15 min)

Break (Non-CE)

14:45 – 15:45 (60 min)

Materials & Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality

  • Material transparency and lifecycle thinking
  • Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
  • Indoor air quality and emissions
  • Lighting quality and occupant comfort

15:45 – 16:15 (30 min)

Innovation, Regional Priority, and Project Documentation

  • Innovation and Regional Priority credits
  • Documentation planning and coordination
  • Common project challenges and best practices

16:15 – 16:30 (15 min)

Wrap-up and Key Takeaways

  • Summary of key learning points
  • Final discussion and questions
    (Q&A within allowed limits)

Applications for this program are closed.

We organize additional courses for LEED v4/4.1 upon request.