Build Smarter.
Build Greener.
Get Recognized.
Green Advantage certifications (GACA & GACP) stand apart among the construction industry’s most comprehensive green building credentials, preparing personnel across trades to work under multiple major rating systems, standards, and codes — including LEED, IgCC, Green Globes, NGBS, and others — rather than focusing on a single proprietary framework.
Industry Recognized
Green Advantage credentials have been independently referenced, utilized, or recognized by organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council, the Veterans Administration, workforce-development institutions, and continuing education systems.
Ready for Green Building Requirements
Green Advantage applies to multiple green building rating systems, standards, and codes, including LEED, Green Globes, ASHRAE 189.1, Energy Star, IgCC, NGBS, Passive House and more. Read our findings to learn more.
Fewer Mistakes, Cost Saving
Teams with Green Advantage Certified personnel are prepared to utilize materials and resources efficiently, prevent call backs, reduce energy use, and lower project costs.
The Green Advantage Certified Associate (GACA®)
Targeted to construction trades personnel, requires familiarity with a subset of the GACP standards, with over 300 green building best practices.
The Green Advantage Certified Practitioner (GACP®)
Targeted to construction supervisors, the GACP certification exam requires familiarity with state-of-the-art green construction means, methods, materials, and over 800 green building best practices.
The Green Advantage Certified Associate (GACA®)
Targeted to construction trades personnel, requires familiarity with a subset of the GACP standards, with over 300 green building best practices.
The Green Advantage Certified Practitioner (GACP®)
Targeted to construction supervisors, the GACP certification exam requires familiarity with state-of-the-art green construction means, methods, materials, and over 800 green building best practices.
Select your role to learn more
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Gain hands-on knowledge of green building materials, methods, and best practices across all major rating systems — not just one
Stand out on job sites and in hiring pools with a nationally recognized credential
Build the foundation needed to pursue LEED and other advanced building requirements
Be the person your crew and contractors rely on to get green projects done right
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Meet personnel requirements written directly into construction specifications, and win more bids because of it
Demonstrate to owners, architects, and facility managers that your team is green-building ready
Reduce the risk of costly mistakes and call backs by ensuring your personnel understand green requirements before work begins
Achieve green building requirements with a credential that covers the full green building landscape
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Specify Green Advantage credentials in your bidding and construction documents to set a clear, enforceable standard for personnel
Reduce project risk by ensuring contractors and subcontractors have verified green building competencies from day one
Streamline your path to LEED and other green buidling certifications with a workforce that already understands the requirements
Protect your investment: credentialed teams mean fewer surprises, fewer change orders, and better outcomes
Case study
How to Secure Your LEED Certification
The first school project in Maryland to pursue LEED Platinum certification—the highest LEED level—required virtually all construction personnel to obtain Green Advantage certification at the request of the architect and owner. Green Advantage-certified personnel helped drive the project’s sustainability efforts, contributing to the project exceeding the LEED Platinum threshold by 10 points. Whether you’re pursuing LEED certification or already working within it, GACA & GACP lay the foundation you need — and fill the gaps other credentials don’t.
“I think Green Advantage Certification is certainly one of the best investments an owner can make in mitigating the most expensive parts of a project…the mistakes.”
Jane Ahrens, Architect
RESEARCH FINDINGS
Increasing the Prospects of Attaining LEED Certification
A University of Florida piloted study overseen by Professor Charles Kibert, PhD found that LEED® projects utilizing larger percentages of Green Advantage certified workers are more likely to spot problems that would affect green building performance, identify cost-cutting opportunities, and increase the prospects of attaining LEED certification at, or higher than, the level sought.
Pilot research conducted at the University of Florida has been instrumental in identifying trends among buildings pursuing LEED certification that had significant percentages of Green Advantage-certified professionals working on the projects. The research found that these projects not only achieved LEED certification, but in some cases attained higher levels of certification than originally targeted.
