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LEED and WELL streamlined certification process

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General

What is the LEED and WELL streamlined certification process?

The LEED and WELL streamlined certification process was created to help projects that are pursing both LEED and WELL certifications leverage the LEED and WELL Crosswalks to streamline the documentation and review process. Using this process, projects can earn a credit/feature in one program application if the corresponding credit/feature has already been reviewed and awarded in the other program application. Information about the process can be found in the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process Guide.

Do I have to be a LEED and/or WELL Accredited Professional to utilize the LEED + WELL crosswalk?

The WELL + LEED Crosswalk is available to all users. Holding a LEED and/or WELL credential is highly recommended. Explore the available LEED credentials and become a WELL AP.

Can the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process be used when pursuing recertification?

If the project has already achieved LEED certification, the crosswalk may be used to support WELL Recertification. Provide a copy of the finalized LEED review report with your WELL submittal. Learn more. The LEED + WELL Crosswalk is not currently available to projects undergoing LEED EB:O+M initial certification or recertification.

Who do I contact with questions about my LEED + WELL projects?

Technical questions regarding specific credits or features should be directed to your relevant points of contact for each program. Specifically, registered WELL projects should submit related inquiries via the support tab of their WELL account; non-registered projects should submit related inquiries via this contact us form. LEED projects should contact GBCI.

Timeline considerations

Can I still use the LEED + WELL Crosswalk if I don't submit both reviews at the same time or if my project already has one certification?

Yes, you can still use the LEED + WELL Crosswalk to support your certification efforts even if documentation is not being submitted simultaneously. If the project has already achieved either LEED or WELL certification and is getting ready to submit for the corresponding Certification, a copy of the final review report from the certified project can be submitted as part of either the LEED or WELL documentation for credits or features deemed equivalent.

Appeal fees will apply if the LEED + WELL Crosswalk is applied after the project has already completed the WELL Documentation Review phase. Learn more.

How does the streamlined certification process differ when a WELL feature has an onsite performance testing requirement?

Most of the WELL features that are applicable to the crosswalk have only documentation-based requirements.

However, where the WELL approach is being used and the feature requires on-site performance testing, the WELL feature and associated LEED credit will be awarded after the WELL feature is marked as “Achieved,” upon verification during the WELL Performance Review.

Where the WELL approach is being used and the WELL feature is only documentation-based, the associated LEED credit could be awarded after the feature is marked as “Anticipated” in the WELL Documentation Review.

If all WELL features being utilized for LEED are documentation-based, the LEED project should be able to achieve LEED Certification after the documentation reviews are complete. The project should be able to achieve WELL Certification after all features have been fully verified as part of the Performance Review.

Project setup and registration

How do I start the LEED and WELL streamlined certification process?

You can start using the streamlined certification process by doing the following:

  • Edit your project details to add the corresponding LEED or WELL project to add the project name and ID and select the checkbox indicating that the project is also pursuing LEED or WELL certification.
  • Download the LEED + WELL Crosswalk to better understand the available compliance paths for LEED credits and WELL features.
  • Download and complete the LEED + WELL Submittal Form and indicate the applicable compliance paths, indicating the chosen compliance path as “Not Attempted”, “LEED” or “WELL” for each row.
  • Upload the LEED + WELL Submittal Form as part of your documentation submission in both your LEED and WELL accounts.
  • Instructions outlining the entire process can be found in the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process Guide.

Our project is already registered for LEED or WELL. How do we use the streamlined certification process?

If your project is already registered in one or both platforms, login to each platform and edit the project details to add the corresponding LEED or WELL project name and number. Select the checkbox indicating that the project is also pursuing LEED/WELL certification. WELL projects, you can also select the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification activity tile in the dashboard to opt-in, enter the LEED project information or learn more.

How do I indicate which credits and features I am pursuing when submitting for review?

There are several steps to follow when using the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process.

  • Download the LEED + WELL Crosswalk to better understand the available compliance paths for LEED credits and WELL features.
  • Download and complete the LEED + WELL Submittal Form indicating the chosen compliance path as “Not Attempted”, “LEED” or “WELL” for each row.
  • Your digital scorecards within your LEED Online and WELL Online accounts should indicate each credit and feature you are attempting for each certification program. Credits and features utilizing the crosswalk should be listed as attempting or pursuing in each scorecard, even if documentation will be provided through the other platform.
  • Credits and features marked as attempted in each digital scorecard must match the relevant selections in the LEED + WELL Submittal form.

Must I sign a certification agreement for both LEED and WELL?

Yes, the owner of the project must sign two certification agreements, one for LEED and another for WELL in order to enable this streamlined certification process.

Documentation and submission

Do I need to provide any specific documentation when submitting for the streamlined certification process?

Yes, the LEED + WELL Submittal Form must be uploaded as part of the project documentation in both LEED and WELL online platforms.

Required documentation only needs to be uploaded to the platform under which the credit or feature is based upon. For example, if applying a LEED credit to a WELL project, the documentation only needs to be uploaded to the LEED account and vice versa.

I have already submitted for review but have not yet achieved certification. Can I amend my scorecard and/or documentation submission?

If you have already started the review process for your LEED or WELL project (or both), contact GBCI. Our customer service team can help determine your options.

Review

What is the review timeline for projects using the LEED+WELL streamlined certification process?

The standard timeline for each review phase under the applicable program (typically 20-25 business days) will apply to projects using the crosswalk and this process.

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