USGBC

Greentorch has recently become a member of the USGBC,The United States Green Building Council. The USGBC administers the test for individuals to become LEED certified. As a LEED AP, I often get asked, what exactly is the USGBC?


USGBC was founded in 1993 as a non-profit trade organization working to promote green building sustainability. Primarily known for administering the LEED process and creating the Greenbuild Expo, the USGBC has begun to expand its operation. With over 60,000 LEED certified professionals worldwide, and 15,000 USGBC member organizations, there is an abundance of resources to help push the green movement forward.


The USGBC offers a variety of educational resources for individuals looking to gain knowledge in green concepts. Courses and workshops are given at different levels in both live and webinar series. The USGBC provides a news and events listing combined with a LEED member directory, both resources are effective ways to network with other’s interested in going green. USGBC also promotes organizations to become registered educational providers for the LEED process. They have created Greenbuild365 which provides sound bytes of archived educational sessions from past Expo’s by green building industry leaders.


In mid-2009 the USGBC will be changing LEED credentialing to a tiered program in order to reward the individuals who exhibit exceptional LEED knowledge. As opposed to only LEED AP’s, USGBC will be offering a test for beginners known as LEED Associate’s. If you are interested in learning more about green sustainability, visit the USGBC website at www.usgbc.org/.


Mark Mastrandrea
LEED AP