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LEED rating system selection

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In LEED, what is the difference between a ‘rating system’, an ‘adaptation’, and a ‘version’?

The difference is easiest to understand by example:

Examples of ‘rating systems’:

  • LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
  • LEED for Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
  • LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

Examples of rating system 'adaptations’:

  • New Construction (NC)
  • Core and Shell (CS)
  • Data Centers (DC)

Examples of rating system 'versions’:

  • v2009,
  • v4,
  • v4.1

Are quick overviews of each rating system available?

Yes:

LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C):

LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C):

LEED for Residential Design and Construction:

LEED for Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND):

LEED for Cities and Communities:

How should project teams choose a rating system, adaptation, and version for their project?

Projects looking to certify entire neighborhoods, communities, or cities should skip the following steps and review Choosing between LEED for Neighborhood Development and LEED for Cities and Communities. For all other projects:

Step 1: Review project scope of work and determine the appropriate rating system

Generally, project teams should first look at the scope of work to determine the appropriate rating system:

  • Projects involving only interior fit-outs or alterations of existing gross floor area would be suitable for LEED ID+C.
  • Projects involving new construction or major renovation of whole buildings would look at LEED BD+C.
  • Projects involving existing buildings or spaces that have been operational and occupied for at least one year should consider O+M.

Please note that projects that have previously certified under any version of LEED ID+C, BD+C, or O+M have the option to pursue Recertification under LEED v4.1 O+M using a streamlined process.

Overviews of each rating system can be found above. If the project's scope of work appears appropriate to more than one rating system, the 40/60 rule explained in our LEED Rating System Selection Guidance can be applied to select between them.

Step 2: Determine the correct adaptation

Then, within the appropriate rating system, the project team would determine the appropriate adaptation.

  • In the case of design and construction rating systems (LEED BD+C or LEED ID+C), the team must determine the percentage of the project's gross floor area (GFA) that will be "complete" (see related FAQ in this article) at the time of certification. Projects where less than 60% of the GFA will be undergoing a complete interior fit-out are ineligible to pursue LEED ID+C certification. LEED BD+C projects where less than 60% of the building's total GFA will be complete at the time of certification would have to use the CS adaptation, regardless of use type(s)--however, please see Choosing between LEED for Residential and LEED for Building Design and Construction for important additional guidance regarding projects involving residential uses. Otherwise, the 40/60 rule explained in our LEED Rating System Selection Guidance should be used to determine the most appropriate adaptation of ID+C or BD+C based upon the use(s) of the space or building.
  • In the case of O+M projects, the project would also use the 40/60 rule to confirm the appropriate adaptation option(s). In LEED v4 O+M adaptations are based upon building use, and in LEED v4.1 O+M there are only two adaptations, one for whole buildings (LEED O+M: Existing Buildings) and another for interior spaces (LEED O+M: Interiors).

Step 3: Choose the version

Finally, project teams may choose from whichever versions of the selected LEED rating system adaptation are open for registration. Presently, LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 (see related FAQ in this article) are open for new registrations. Prior to registering, we recommend that the team confirm that the project can comply with all MPRs and prerequisites and appears likely to capture enough credit points to achieve at least a Certified rating. Please be aware that in the LEED D+C rating systems, projects registered under LEED v4 can substitute LEED v4.1 credit requirements (see related FAQ in this article).

(Updated September 15, 2022)

What are the rating system options for certifying a whole building vs. a portion of a building?

Please note the LEED BD+C and LEED O+M Rating Systems (except for LEED v4.1 O+M: Interiors) are designed for a whole-building certification, meaning the entirety of the building's GFA is required to be included in the project, with limited exceptions explained in "Can project teams certify a portion of a structure (e.g. a new construction addition or an office or hotel tower that rests on a podium) as a separate LEED BD+C v4 project?" in Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs).

The LEED whole-building rating systems are:

  • all adaptations of the LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 for Building Design and Construction (BD+C),
  • all adaptations of LEED v4 for Operations and Maintenance (O+M),
  • LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Buildings,
  • all adaptations of LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C

The rating systems that are designed to address portion(s) of a building are:

  • all adaptations of LEED v4 and v4.1 for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)
  • LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Interiors

To find further information on each rating system, visit our website.

How should multiple building projects determine which rating system and adaptation to use?

Each building should be evaluated for rating system and adaptation appropriateness individually. Please also see our FAQs regarding Multiple buildings.

What do we do if the building or project is eligible for more than one rating system or adaptation?

As explained in the LEED Rating System Selection Guidance, when several rating systems may be appropriate for your project, use the 40/60 rule to determine the one that is most appropriate. The entirety of the project will then pursue certification under that one rating system and adaptation.

For instance, if your project is a newly constructed mixed-use tower of nine floors with a gross floor area (GFA) of 65% offices (NC), 20% residential (Multifamily Midrise/Multifamily), 15% data center (Data Center), the entire building/project must pursue certification under Building Design & Construction (BD+C): New Construction (NC), because more than 60% of the building's total GFA is appropriate for that rating system adaptation.

If the new building’s GFA is 40% offices (NC), 40% hotel (Hospitality), 20% data center (Data Center), the project team can choose between NC and Hospitality.

However, note that the 40/60 rule has an exception for the Core and Shell (CS) adaptation. If more than 40% of the GFA of a building is ‘incomplete’ at the time of certification, without an interior fit-out, (regardless of the final usage type) and 60% offices (NC), the project has to register as LEED BD+C: Core and Shell (CS). 

What does ‘incomplete/complete’ mean in the context of LEED BD+C and LEED ID+C?

"Incomplete" in the context of LEED BD+C means that the building does not have its basic floor, wall, or ceiling finishes installed, or essential mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems or fixtures necessary to occupy the space for its intended use, at the time of certification. "Complete" means that no further work is needed and the project is ready for occupancy. Movable furnishings, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) need not be installed to consider a space/room complete for LEED BD+C rating system selection purposes. For more information on incomplete spaces, please read ‘Incomplete Spaces’ section in the Getting Started portion of the LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide.

In the context of LEED ID+C, "complete" means that FF&E is installed for at least 60% of the gross floor area (GFA) at the time of certification. For more information on incomplete spaces, please read "Incomplete Spaces" section in the Getting Started portion of the LEED v4 ID+C Reference Guide.

My project is Core and Shell (CS) and another LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) adaptation at the same time. Which rating system do I choose?

Amongst the LEED BD+C adaptations, CS is unique in that if it applies to more than 40% of the building's GFA, the building/project must register under CS regardless of the use type spaces within the building. In other words, if more than 40% of the building GFA will be left "incomplete" at the time of certification, the project has to register as CS. This is true even when, for instance, 60% or more of the GFA qualifies under LEED BD+C: NC, Healthcare, or Retail, etc.

This stipulation about CS is a bit different than the typical application of the 40/60 rule which teams use to determine the rating systems. For more info, please visit our LEED Rating System Selection Guidance.

What rating system adaptations do restaurants, nightclubs, wellness centers, art galleries fit under?

Night clubs, fitness, wellness center, food & beverage spaces (or restaurants) and art galleries may be registered under either the New Construction (NC) or Retail adaptations, although usually food & beverage spaces would be expected to register under Retail.

How can we re-register our project due to a change in the rating system, adaptation or version?

Please see "Can we change rating systems after we have registered our project?".

(Updated July 5, 2024)

What is the most current version of LEED?

Projects are currently eligible to register under either LEED v4 or LEED v4.1. New projects must register under one of these versions. LEED v4 will remain available to new projects until a newer version of LEED is balloted and approved by members. After approval, USGBC will set and publish the date by when LEED v4 projects will have to register.

For more information on certification deadlines please visit our website.

(Updated October 6, 2022)

What is LEED v4.1?

LEED v4.1 the latest version of LEED. It raises the bar on building standards to address energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection, material selection, day lighting and waste reduction.

LEED v4.1 was developed to respond to the market’s feedback on LEED v4. The updates in LEED v4.1 include:

  • Energy metrics include both cost and greenhouse gas emissions (a first for LEED)
  • Upgrade to ASHRAE 90.1-2016
  • Applicable and achievable credit requirements throughout the rating system
    • For example, updated Rainwater Management requirements with a lower minimum percentile storm events and added guidance for zero-lot-line projects
    • And a new Renewable Energy credit better that addresses diverse methods of renewables procurement and evolving global renewables markets
    • Restructured Materials and Resources credits that include options acknowledging efforts at varying levels, bridging the gap from where the market is currently to the goals identified in LEED v4 and carried into LEED v4.1

As a first step in launching LEED v4.1, USGBC released beta versions of each LEED rating system, allowing the market to work with the draft rating systems and provide feedback based on real-world application. The goal is to have project teams across market sectors engage with a pre-ballot version of LEED v4.1 to help USGBC improve aspects of the LEED v4.1 program, identify challenges with proposed documentation and areas in need of additional education development.

For more information on LEED v4.1, please visit the LEED v4.1 page of our website.

How long are older versions maintained?

Per the LEED Foundations Documents, a rating system can be maintained through addenda, LEED interpretations and alternative compliance paths. USGBC intends to continue to use a combination of the processes available to maintain older LEED versions while they are in active use by projects.

Can a project registered in LEED v4 utilize LEED v4.1 credit requirements?

A LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) or Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) project can substitute any credit with the equivalent v4.1 credit, free of charge. However, LEED v4 Operations and Maintenance (O+M) projects are not eligible for LEED v4.1 credit substitutions. Also, projects registered in LEED v4.1 may not utilize v4 credit substitutions.

For more information, please read the article "Substitute any LEED v4 credit with LEED v4.1".

What are the eligibility criteria for LEED for Interior Design & Construction (ID+C)?

LEED for Interior Design & Construction (ID+C) is designed to certify a portion or portions of a building. An existing building interior would be eligible to pursue an ID+C certification if an interior renovation fit-out scope of work for that space includes furniture, furnishings & equipment (FF&E), and at least 60% of the certifying gross floor area (GFA) will be complete (including all FF&E intended for the functioning of the space) at the time of certification. LEED ID+C projects can include improvements in technical systems and/or the envelope. If more than 60% of the project's GFA will be new construction (including when a project consists of a mix of renovations and new additions), the project would not be eligible for LEED ID+C. As long as the LEED ID+C eligibility criteria described above are met, a LEED ID+C project can be pursued by either a tenant or an owner. LEED ID+C projects can include tenant- and/or owner-occupied spaces.

A single LEED ID+C project can include multiple non-contiguous spaces (on the same or different floors) undergoing improvements, as long as they are in the same building and are part of the same scope of work.

In an existing building, an LEED ID+C project can include the entire building interior or a portion(s) of it. In the case that it includes a portion(s), please also note that for ID+C projects '[t]he LEED project should be defined by a clear boundary such that the LEED project is physically distinct from other interior spaces within the building.' ('Interiors' section, Minimum Program Requirement 2: Must use reasonable LEED boundaries (MPR 2). The LEED ID+C boundaries can be walls/doors/glazing, etc., and ideally they would align with separate lease, departmental, and/or HVAC system boundaries. Please note that it is acceptable to include some areas that are not going through renovation, in order to arrive at a reasonable LEED project boundary. Please also note that "the LEED project must accurately communicate the scope of the certifying project in all promotional and descriptive materials and distinguish it from any non-certifying space", per MPR 2. Therefore, teams should submit documentation/explanation of how the project's name and LEED signage/advertising are designed to differentiate certified from non-certified portions of the building.

Spaces that will undergo the full ID+C scope should be included in the LEED project boundary (LPB). At least 40% of the GFA in the LPB should be undergoing the full ID+C scope (meaning, including FF&E) in the improvements. The scope represented in supporting LEED documentation and accounted for in LEED calculations must align with the LPB.

Generally, ID+C should not be used to certify some/all of a new construction building where the interior fit-out is part of the same scope of work as the base building construction.  Such projects should use BD+C, instead. However, there are instances where if there's enough separation between the base building and the fit-out projects, i.e. some combination of the following: different project teams, timelines, or contracts, etc., the project may be eligible for a separate ID+C certification. Please reach out to us with more information about your project in this case, and we'll help determine the most appropriate path forward.

Please note that ID+C projects have a minimum size requirement in terms of GFA, per MPR 3: Must comply with project size requirements.

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