Aligned to the LEED v5 Rating System & GBCI Exam Blueprint
LEED AP (BD+C)® Exam Preparation Building Design + Construction · LEED v5
Advance from LEED Green Associate to a specialty credential built for architects, engineers and construction professionals. 21 hours (21 PDUs) of live online or self-paced training, mapped to all 8 GBCI exam knowledge domains, with practice questions and full-length mock exams.
What is the LEED AP (BD+C) exam preparation course?
LEED AP Building Design + Construction (BD+C) is a specialty professional credential built on the LEED rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and administered and awarded by GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.). It demonstrates advanced, project-level knowledge of green building design and construction — for new construction, major renovation, core & shell, schools, and similar project types certified under LEED.
3FOLD Training's 21-hour (21 PDU) LEED AP (BD+C) exam preparation course is built around the current LEED v5 exam specification published by USGBC, covering all 8 knowledge domains GBCI tests — from LEED process fundamentals and integrative strategies through energy, materials and indoor environmental quality. Because LEED AP (BD+C) is a specialty credential, GBCI requires you to already hold a current LEED Green Associate credential before sitting this exam.
Delivered as live weekend sessions on Zoom, a self-paced LMS course, or a blend of both, the program combines video lessons, project-based examples, domain-by-domain practice questions and full-length mock exams — so you walk into the GBCI-administered exam having already seen the question patterns, not just the theory.
What you’ll be able to do by the end of this course
By the end of this course you'll understand how LEED applies to real BD+C projects end to end — and be ready to sit the LEED v5 AP (BD+C) exam.
Apply the LEED v5 Building Design + Construction rating system to new construction, major renovation and core & shell projects.
Facilitate an integrative design process and coordinate project team roles across disciplines.
Navigate location, transportation and sustainable sites strategies for BD+C credit categories.
Apply energy, water and materials strategies, including commissioning, renewables and life-cycle assessment.
Evaluate indoor environmental quality requirements — thermal comfort, ventilation and daylight — for LEED-certified buildings.
Sit the LEED AP (BD+C) exam confidently, with clarity on format, domains and question style.
Standard
LEED v5 rating system & GBCI exam blueprint
Credential body
GBCI, under USGBC’s LEED rating system
Duration
21 hours (21 PDUs)
Delivery
Online Live Class (Zoom) or self-paced LMS
Batches
3 Saturdays, 9 AM–4 PM GST
Domains
8 GBCI exam domains
Exam
100 questions (~85 scored) · 2 hours
Pass mark
170 of 200 (scaled score)
Prerequisite
Current LEED Green Associate credential
Fee
USD 490 / AED 1,800 incl. VAT/GST
Key takeaways
Requires a current LEED Green Associate credential to enroll for the exam
Content updated for the LEED v5 rating system and exam blueprint
Covers all 8 GBCI exam knowledge domains with weighted study time
Live online, self-paced, or blended formats — 21 hours total (21 PDUs)
Don't have LEED GA yet? Ask about the combined LEED GA + AP (BD+C) path
Why 3FOLD
LEED AP (BD+C) Training — Key Features
Everything you need to prepare for the LEED v5 AP (BD+C) exam with confidence — live or self-paced, from anywhere in the world.
Live & Self-Paced
Join live weekend sessions on Zoom, study at your own pace on our LMS, or blend both.
Aligned to LEED v5
Content mapped to the current USGBC BD+C exam specification — not a legacy version.
Practice Questions & Mocks
Domain-by-domain quizzes plus full-length mock exams that mirror the real test format.
Complete Study Materials
Video lessons, notes, flashcards and exercises covering every exam domain.
Instructor-Led Discussion
Live Q&A and project-based examples from an experienced LEED AP-credentialed instructor.
21-Hour Structured Program
A right-sized specialty course that respects your time — no bloated, unfocused modules.
Global batch
Learn alongside learners from multiple countries — genuinely international perspective.
GA Prerequisite Guidance
Don't hold LEED Green Associate yet? We'll route you into the combined GA + AP training path.
What you’re actually earning
A globally recognized LEED specialty credential — not just a training certificate
It's important to understand the two-part path: 3FOLD's course prepares you and issues the 21-hour (21 PDU) course completion certificate shown here. The LEED AP (BD+C) credential itself is a separate, official qualification awarded only by GBCI, after you register via your USGBC.org account and pass the GBCI-administered exam independently.
Once earned, your LEED AP (BD+C) credential signals project-level expertise to employers, certification bodies and government green-building programs worldwide — placing you among the smaller group of professionals who hold a specialty LEED AP credential, not just the foundational Green Associate.
LEED v5 reflects how the building industry addresses climate change today — carbon, resilience and performance take center stage. Our course is built for it, not retrofitted.
Exam domains, weighted by question count
85 questions across 8 domains, as listed in the official GBCI/USGBC candidate handbook — Energy & Atmosphere and Materials & Resources carry the most weight.
LEED v5 pushes beyond checklist compliance toward measurable outcomes — decarbonization, electrification, climate resilience and integrative design are now explicit themes across multiple domains, not siloed in one section. Expect BD+C questions that connect a design decision (e.g. an HVAC or envelope choice) to its carbon and performance impact, not just its point value.
Good to know: the exam is 100 questions total, but only ~85 are scored across the domains above. The remaining questions are unscored items GBCI is trialling for future exams — you won't know which ones, so every question deserves your full attention.
Exam fact
Detail
Total questions
100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
2 hours (120 minutes)
Passing score
170 out of 200
Prerequisite / eligibility
Current LEED Green Associate credential (or pass GA at the same time) · 18+ years old · experience working on LEED-registered projects is strongly recommended
Exam delivery
Prometric Testing Center or remote proctored online exam
Language / translation aids
Translation aids available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, French and Spanish (BD+C and O+M exams)
Rescheduling & cancellations
Permitted up to 3 days before the exam; fees may apply
Exam fee (GBCI-administered)
Specialty only (already hold LEED GA): USD 350 (Non-Member Fee) USD 250 (USGBC Members' Fee)
Combined GA + AP (BD+C): USD 550 (Non-Member Fee) USD 400 (USGBC Members' Fee) Registered and paid via your USGBC.org account
Credential validity
2-year CE cycle · 30 CE hours, minimum 6 LEED-specific
← Swipe to see full table →
Source: GBCI LEED AP with Specialty Candidate Handbook, LEED v5 beta exam version (effective 30 June 2026).
The 3FOLD advantage
Why Prepare for LEED AP (BD+C) With 3FOLD?
Specialty exam prep is only as good as how current and project-focused it is. Here's what sets 3FOLD's LEED AP (BD+C) preparation apart.
🌱 Built for LEED v5, not the old exam. Many training providers are still teaching outdated LEED v4 content. 3FOLD's course, quizzes and mock exams are current to the LEED v5 exam specification — so your study time isn't wasted on retired material.
Exam-Blueprint Aligned
Every domain and question weight is mapped directly to USGBC's published LEED AP (BD+C) exam specification.
Experienced LEED AP Instructors
Learn from instructors with hands-on BD+C project and green building experience — not just slide decks.
Full Practice Scaffold
Domain quizzes, flashcards and full-length mock exams that mirror GBCI's official exam question format.
Flexible, Global Access
Live weekend sessions or self-paced study, taken by professionals from 100+ countries.
Three quick questions to see whether you meet GBCI’s requirement. Training itself has no prerequisite — this only affects registering for the official exam.
Do you hold an active LEED Green Associate credential?
LEED project experience (strongly recommended, not required)
Check before you apply
Am I Eligible for the LEED AP (BD+C) Exam?
GBCI sets these requirements for sitting the official LEED AP (BD+C) exam.
What GBCI requires
A current LEED Green Associate credential (or pass LEED GA at the same time)
18+ years old
Experience working on LEED-registered projects is strongly recommended
Don’t hold LEED GA yet?
GBCI also offers a combined LEED GA + AP (BD+C) exam sitting, priced lower than booking the two exams separately
3FOLD offers a combined LEED GA + LEED AP (BD+C) training path
A flexible, project-focused path to exam readiness — not a static video library.
Live weekend sessions
Instructor-led sessions on Zoom with discussion, Q&A and real BD+C project examples.
Self-paced LMS access
Recorded lessons, notes and flashcards you can revisit anytime, at your own pace.
Practice-first approach
Quizzes and exercises after every domain, so you test understanding as you go — not just at the end.
Full-length mock exams
Simulated exams that mirror GBCI's official format, to build timing, accuracy and exam-day confidence.
The opportunity
Why LEED AP (BD+C) — And Why Now?
Green building isn't a niche anymore — it's how the construction and real estate industry is regulated, financed and built. A specialty LEED AP credential puts you ahead of that shift.
246K+
LEED professional credential holders worldwide
USGBC, 2025
180+
countries and territories with LEED-certified projects
USGBC, 2025
3M+
sq. ft. of space certified under LEED daily, historically
USGBC
1
prerequisite credential required — LEED Green Associate
USGBC Candidate Handbook
2 yrs
continuing education cycle to keep your credential active
USGBC, 2025
100+
countries represented among 3FOLD's LEED learners
3FOLD Training
How you’re scored
LEED AP (BD+C) Exam Pass Mark & Procedure
GBCI scales the LEED AP (BD+C) exam to a 125–200 point range, and a scaled score of 170 or higher is required to pass. GBCI does not publish a fixed raw-score cutoff, because scaling adjusts slightly between exam forms.
8domains
One LEED AP (BD+C) exam. The exam spans all 8 knowledge domains — from LEED Process through Indoor Environmental Quality — with roughly 85 of its 100 questions scored. See the full domain breakdown in the Curriculum section above.
What determines your result
100 multiple-choice questions across 8 knowledge domains — roughly 85 are scored; the remainder are unscored pretest items GBCI uses to trial future exam content
Exams are scaled to a 125–200 point range; a scaled score of 170 or higher is required to pass
2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the exam
Exam day & after
Candidates sit the exam at a Prometric test center or remotely via online proctoring, depending on availability in their country
Registration and scheduling are handled through your USGBC.org account; the exam itself is administered by GBCI
Rescheduling and cancellations are permitted up to 3 days before the exam; fees may apply
To keep the credential active, complete 30 continuing education (CE) hours within each 2-year reporting cycle, including a minimum of 6 LEED-specific hours
Source: GBCI LEED AP with Specialty Candidate Handbook, LEED v5 beta exam version (effective 30 June 2026). The figures above are GBCI’s published exam structure and are not a guarantee of any individual result.
Upcoming batches
LEED AP (BD+C) Online Training — Schedule & Fees
One course, live or self-paced, everything included.
Your enrollment includes the full LEED v5-aligned BD+C course, live sessions, self-paced LMS access, all study materials, practice questions and mock exams. Delivered on 3FOLD's Learning Management System with access from Dubai, India or anywhere in the world.
Excellent training center. I collaborated with them for 2 years for my LEED GA and LEED AP (BD+C) exams. The training material, the recorded trainings and the excellent tutors enabled me to pass both exams without any external readings whatsoever.
Antonios Vouloudis · LEED GA & LEED AP (BD+C)★★★★★
They offer high-quality courses, and their LMS is excellent. I successfully earned my LEED credentials, including LEED Green Associate and LEED AP (BD+C), through their platform. They also provide great support.
Sujith Paulson · LEED GA & LEED AP (BD+C)★★★★★
I had a great experience with 3FOLD Training while preparing for my LEED Green Associate and LEED AP (BD+C) certifications. The training was well-structured, focused on the exam, and very effective.
LEED AP Building Design + Construction (BD+C) is a specialty credential — administered by GBCI under the USGBC-developed LEED v5 rating system — that demonstrates advanced knowledge of green building design and construction — for professionals working on new construction, major renovation, core & shell and similar project types under the LEED v5 rating system.
Do I need to hold LEED Green Associate before taking LEED AP (BD+C)?
Yes. GBCI requires candidates to hold a current LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) credential before sitting any LEED AP specialty exam, including BD+C. If you don't yet hold LEED GA, 3FOLD offers a combined LEED GA + LEED AP (BD+C) training path.
Is the LEED AP (BD+C) exam updated to LEED v5?
Yes. As the rating system transitions to LEED v5, exam content places greater emphasis on decarbonization, climate resilience, electrification and integrative design. 3FOLD's course content and materials are updated to the current LEED v5 exam specification.
How many questions are on the LEED AP (BD+C) exam?
The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions across 8 knowledge domains, with a 2-hour time limit. Roughly 85 questions are scored across the domains; the remainder are unscored pretest items GBCI uses to trial future exam content.
What is the passing score for the LEED AP (BD+C) exam?
Exams are scaled to a 125–200 point range, and a scaled score of 170 or higher is required to pass. GBCI does not publish a fixed raw-score cutoff because scaling adjusts slightly between exam forms.
How much does the LEED AP (BD+C) exam cost?
If you already hold LEED Green Associate, the specialty-only LEED AP (BD+C) exam (administered by GBCI) is USD 350 (non-member fee) or USD 250 (USGBC members' fee), registered and billed through your USGBC.org account. If you don't yet hold LEED GA, GBCI also offers a combined LEED GA + AP (BD+C) exam sitting at a lower combined price. This is separate from 3FOLD's training fee.
Is there a discount if I already hold LEED Green Associate?
Yes. Candidates who already hold a current LEED Green Associate credential sit only the specialty-only LEED AP (BD+C) exam for USD 350 (non-member fee) or USD 250 (USGBC members' fee). If you don't yet hold LEED GA, GBCI also offers a combined LEED GA + AP (BD+C) exam sitting, priced lower than booking the two exams separately.
Who should take the LEED AP (BD+C) course?
Architects, structural and MEP engineers, contractors and construction managers, interior designers, sustainability consultants, and existing LEED Green Associates who work on new construction, major renovation or core & shell projects.
Is LEED AP (BD+C) training available online?
Yes. 3FOLD delivers the course as live instructor-led sessions over Zoom, as a self-paced LMS course, or a combination of both — so you can prepare from anywhere in the world on a schedule that fits your commitments.
How long does it take to prepare for the LEED AP (BD+C) exam?
3FOLD's structured course covers all 8 exam domains in 21 hours of instruction (21 PDUs), delivered as 3 Saturdays from 9 AM–4 PM. Most candidates who complete the course and revise with practice exams are ready to sit the GBCI-administered exam within 2–4 weeks of finishing training.
What topics does the LEED AP (BD+C) exam cover?
Eight domains: LEED Process; Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments; Location and Transportation; Sustainable Sites; Water Efficiency; Energy and Atmosphere; Materials and Resources; and Indoor Environmental Quality.
Where and how is the LEED AP (BD+C) exam taken?
Candidates can sit the exam at a Prometric test center or remotely via online proctoring, depending on availability in their country. Registration and scheduling are handled through your USGBC.org account; the exam itself is administered by GBCI.
Does the LEED AP (BD+C) credential expire?
Yes. LEED AP (BD+C) credential holders must complete 30 continuing education (CE) hours within each 2-year reporting cycle, including a minimum of 6 LEED-specific hours, to maintain their credential in good standing.
How is LEED AP (BD+C) different from other LEED AP specialties?
LEED AP (BD+C) focuses on new construction, major renovation and core & shell projects. Other specialties — such as O+M (Operations + Maintenance) and ID+C (Interior Design + Construction) — apply to existing building operations and interior fit-outs respectively. BD+C is the most common specialty for architects, engineers and construction professionals.
Will I receive a certificate after the 3FOLD course?
Yes. You receive a 3FOLD course completion certificate for 21 training hours (21 PDUs). The official LEED AP (BD+C) credential itself is awarded by GBCI only after you pass the GBCI-administered exam separately.
Related courses
Related USGBC & Sustainability Certifications
Don't have LEED Green Associate yet? Start there — it's the required prerequisite for LEED AP (BD+C).
