What is a LEED Credit?

• A. An optional LEED Green Building Rating System component whose achievement results in earning points toward certification.
• B. A mandatory prerequisite that must be met before certification.
• C. A guideline for project branding.
• D. A pilot provision for international compliance.

Answer: (A)

A LEED credit is an optional component of the LEED rating system that, when achieved, earns points toward certification. Projects pursue credits to accumulate points across categories like energy, water, and indoor air quality, which together determine the certification level (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum). Prerequisites, by contrast, are mandatory requirements that must be met before any credits can be awarded, which is why this option captures the essential idea of a credit earning points rather than being compulsory. The other choices don’t fit because branding guidelines aren’t part of the LEED credit structure, and pilot provisions are experimental items that may test new ideas but aren’t what a standard LEED credit is.