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Membership overview

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What is USGBC membership and why should we join?

At USGBC, we are building a healthier, more resilient world by transforming the built environment. As a member, you will be joining a community of professionals and organizations committed to sustainable development, working together to shape the future of green building.

USGBC membership for organizations is offered at four levels: Organizational, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Dues are based on an organization's industry and revenue. Dues range for each level:

  • Organizational level: $450-$1,100/year
  • Silver level: $1,500-$4,400/year
  • Gold level: $5,000-$9,350/year
  • Platinum level: $20,000/year

How can my organization join USGBC?

USGBC members drive the entire green building community forward and represent the best organizations from all fields. Our members are local and international, big and small, mission and market-driven. They make an impact and advance green building for a more sustainable environment. Learn more.

To enroll your company or organization as a USGBC member, follow these easy steps:

  1. Log into your USGBC user account. If you do not already have a user account, create one. The person who enrolls will be the Primary Contact of the membership account.
  2. Once you are logged into your user account, complete the enrollment process. You will need to provide the following information. Full list of information required to register:

Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions, you can choose your payment method. You can pay by credit card which will process the membership immediately. Or you can select the option to pay by check and receive an invoice via email.

How do I choose the Primary Contact for my USGBC membership and what are their responsibilities?

The Primary Contact (PC) is the user who will receive membership communication, have access to edit the member profile, manage connected employees, manage benefits like education hours, and can renew the membership online. The Primary Contact can also assign other member employees the Organization Editor or Employee Manager role. If the Primary Contact is leaving Member Organization or wants to reassign the role to another member employee, they can do so via the Organization Membership page of their account. The Primary Contact can assign someone else to be the new PC, or as an Editor or Administrator of the membership account.

The PC can be anyone within your organization. Some examples of current employees include sustainability managers, HR team members, and marketing managers.

How much does it cost to join USGBC?

Annual dues are based on A. your organization’s sector and annual revenue and B. level selected. Learn more.

My company isn't a member. How else can I be involved?

If company membership isn't possible, we encourage you to participate in USGBC as an individual member at the community level. Communities provide local opportunities for active involvement and leadership through learning, networking and other professional development activities. They also raise awareness of green building through outreach and advocacy. Learn more or join a community.

Please note that individual membership is only available in the United States. However, we do have GBCI staff presence worldwide, for a list of regions supported visit our Worldwide tab on GBCI.org.

Who is considered a USGBC member?

You can be connected to USGBC in two ways.

  1. Company membership (where your employer is a USGBC member). Full-time employees receive numerous benefits through a companymembership — including member pricing on courses and publications — and are considered "member employees."
  2. Individual membership with a local USGBC community. USGBC communities provide local opportunities for active involvement and leadership through learning, networking and other professional development activities. They also raise awareness of green building through outreach and advocacy in the area. There are dozens of communities throughout the United States. Learn more or join a community.

What is the difference between individual and organization membership?

Individuals join USGBC at the community level, while companies and organizations join USGBC at the organization level.

  • USGBC communities provide local opportunities for active involvement and leadership through learning, networking and other professional development activities. Communities also raise awareness of green building through outreach and advocacy in the area. Learn more or join a community.
  • Joining USGBC on the organizational level allows companies to support green building and shape a national movement important to our country's future. Member companies' employees are eligible to participate on committees that develop and revise LEED ratings systems, plan advocacy efforts and organize the annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Learn more or become a member.

What education benefits are included with my membership?

  • Platinum level members also receive unlimited access to the LEED v4 web-based reference guide.
  • Gold level higher education institutions receive unlimited access to USGBC's course catalog for students, staff, and faculty as part of the Campus Subscription.
  • Silver level members receive 30 hours of access to USGBC's course catalog, Gold level members receive 150 hours of access, and Platinum level members receive unlimited access. The primary contacts may distribute these hours as they see fit by logging into usgbc.org, clicking "Education Overview” then selecting "Manage Users” under Membership License. You can check yes for “All member employees should have access to USGBC Course Catalog" or you can select specific user to grant access.
  • Members at all levels can purchase individual unlimited access to the education subscription for $199.
  • Additionally, members at the Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels receive three free course reviews per year. These reviews are assigned to the primary contact of the organization.
  • Please see our Membership page to review membership benefits.

I added my company to my personal profile. Why am I not recognized as an employee in the directory?

Adding a company name to your personal profile does not connect you to your company's membership account. To connect, go to the membership tab on your account page and click the "Connect to membership account" button. ADD: Your organization’s Primary Contact or Administrator will need to approve your request to connect. Unless your organization has it set up that you can connect using your organization’s email address domain or via Member ID.

Where can I find my member ID?

The member ID is the unique identifier for your organization's membership. If you are already connected to your organization's membership, to find your member ID, go to the "Membership" tab in your account, then the "Organization Membership" tab.

If your company is not a USGBC member, you will not have a member ID. 

Who is eligible to receive USGBC member pricing/discounts?

Individuals who are full-time employees of a USGBC national member organization are entitled to the benefits associated with their membership level. These benefits include discounts on LEED reference guides, USGBC education, and professional credential exams. See "How can employees connect to the membership account?" for more info.

Individuals who are members of a local USGBC community are entitled to benefits and discounts offered by that USGBC community only.

How do I receive my member employee discount?

All full-time employees of member companies are eligible to receive the member discount. Your discount will be automatically recognized when you purchase something from our site. If you are not receiving member pricing, check to ensure you are logged into your account or that you are connected to your company’s membership (see "How can employees connect to the membership account?”). It’s also possible that your company needs to renew their membership status. You can check the member expiration date on your membership page.

If you are still experiencing issues receiving member pricing, please submit an inquiry.

What is an Account Manager and what do they do?

Every current USGBC member organization has an Account Manager. Account Managers provide a consistent and primary point of contact for USGBC member organizations. You can get in touch with your Account manager via email. You can find your Account Manager’s name and email address on the Organization Membership page of your usgbc.org account. Account Managers can be contacted to better understand our offerings; connect you with the right internal and technical resources; escalate or resolve issues; and to collect and respond to feedback about your experience.

Can I join a committee?

Employees of USGBC member organizations in good standing (current members) are welcome to apply to volunteer for committees. Learn more about USGBC committees.

Can I download a member logo to use?

If you are a full-time employee of a member company and are connected to the company's membership account, you may download a member logo. The file can be found on your account membership page. Click on the "Membership" tab in the left-hand navigation menu and select "Organization membership." You'll see the prompt to download the logo below "Member certificate and logo."

Explore marketing opportunities for members and view the USGBC Trademark Policy and Branding Guidelines.

Where can I find a copy of my membership certificate?

You can download a copy of your membership certificate on the membership page of your USGBC account. When renewing your membership, you can also request a hard copy by checking the box next to "Receive a complimentary USGBC membership certificate printed and sent to your mailing address on file." Note: Hard copies of membership certificates take approximately 90 days to arrive. You can also email your Account Manager for a hard copy.

What is a Regular Member? What is an Associate Member?

Regular Members and Associate Members are terms referenced in USGBC's Bylaws.

  • A Regular Member refers to any member of USGBC at the Organizational, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level.
  • An Associate Member refers to an individual member of a local USGBC community.

Are membership dues prorated?

No. Annual dues are paid on the anniversary of the date your company joined USGBC. If your membership has lapsed for over 3 months, the new renewal/expiration date will update to the date the membership is reactivated.

How can I upgrade my membership level?

The Primary Contact of the account can upgrade the membership level at any time by going to the Organization membership page and clicking Upgrade under Membership Level.

Are my membership dues tax deductible?

No, membership dues for organization membership are not considered a donation and are therefore not tax-deductible.

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