The Handy Reference to LEED Certification and Ratings
A project with a Platinum rating has the lowest environmental impact and the highest level of sustainability in development and operations. Buildings can also earn certification in various project areas and accrue points towards a certification level. 5 LEED Ratings Categories LEED standards get applied to all types of buildings.

The reference guide suite is the product of the dedicated efforts of USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) staff and consultants, designed to support the industry's understanding and implementation of the rating systems. LEED COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairs listed in bold. LEED Steering Committee
PDF Leed Certification Manual

1. Introduction This document, the LEED Certification Manual (LCM), has two primary purposes: to serve as a reference tool while conducting LEED reviews; and to improve consistency across those reviews among Review Teams. It establishes the guidelines and procedures under which a project pursuing LEED certification is processed and technically reviewed.
Certification guides lead projects through the LEED process. Access each rating system guide for important information regarding the LEED certification program including the current policies, procedures and pricing.

LEED rating system
LEED -certified green buildings are better buildings LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. LEED certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. It serves as a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadership, supported by a committed community of organizations ...
Home | Resources | Project and Product Certifications | LEED Rating System LEED Rating System Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design ( LEED ) is an internationally recognized sustainable building certification system and standard. It delivers third-party verification that a space was designed and built using best-in-class strategies to address its entire life cycle.

PDF LEED v5 REFERENCE GUIDE BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
The U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. (USGBC) devoted significant time and resources to create this LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition. USGBC authorizes individual use of the Reference Guide. In exchange for this authorization, the user agrees: to retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the Reference Guide; not to ...
What is the LEED scorecard? The LEED scorecard is a one-page summary of a LEED rating system: every prerequisite, every credit, and the points each credit is worth, organized by credit category. Project teams use it to choose which credits to pursue, assign responsibility for each one, and track progress toward a certification level.

LEED v5 Reference Guide
The LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition, is a comprehensive resource developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to support the understanding and implementation of LEED rating systems.









The LEED certification system is applicable to all building types including new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell, schools, retail, data centers, hospitality ...