Impact of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional Credential on Design Professionals

Abstract

Leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) accreditation is quickly becoming one of the most popular professional designations available to members of the building design and construction community. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact that the LEED accredited professional (AP) designation has had on architecture/engineering (A/E) firm employees versus employees of owners, contractors, subcontractors, and other organization types. The researchers analyzed 9,060 responses from LEED-APs using a one-way ANOVA to determine whether or not significant differences in perceived benefit exist between LEED-APs working for A/E firms and LEED-APs working for other organization classifications. Results indicated a statistically significant difference in six of the eight “impact” categories. LEED-APs working for A/E firms did not feel as strong as LEED-APs working for other organization types that the credential provided any more recognition, professional opportunities for contributions, and prestige among superiors and individuals within their organization. There were no significant differences between the groups, however, with regard to the credential’s impact on salary and job responsibilities.