LEED v5 O+M recertification: What you need to know

LEED v5 offers a clear, flexible and holistic path to certifying the world’s most sustainable buildings and demonstrating market leadership. The new version of the LEED for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating system features accessible, customizable solutions that help project teams exceed today’s sustainability standards. Designed with the future in mind, LEED v5 supports healthier, more resilient buildings and communities, while significantly reducing emissions.

Built on a new platform, LEED v5 redefines leadership in building performance, opening doors to more projects. USGBC is committed to supporting the real estate community, and a key part of this transformation is recertification. The new LEED v5 recertification guidance and free LEED v5 O+M Scorecard Builder can help projects confidently chart their course to LEED v5 certification.

What is recertification?

LEED recertification is the process of renewing a building’s existing certification under the LEED O+M rating system, regardless of whether previous certification was achieved under the O+M or the LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating systems. Recertification is critical to ensure that a building continues to meet—and demonstrate—high standards of performance and sustainability.

Rather than being a one-time achievement, LEED O+M recertification is designed to drive continuous improvement and leadership, keeping buildings aligned with evolving best practices.

Why recertify?

• Maintain certification status: Recertification is required to maintain an active certification status, as LEED v4.1 and LEED v5 O+M certifications expire after three years.

• Demonstrate continuous improvement: Recertification formalizes and quantifies progress toward sustainability goals.

• Show leadership in an evolving market: Recertification under the most recent version of LEED enables projects to keep pace with rising standards for high performance.
• Benefit your business: Up-to-date certification pays dividends through recognition, marketability and operational savings.

New opportunities with LEED v5 recertification

The LEED v5 rating system builds upon and enhances previous versions by focusing credits on three core impact areas: Decarbonization, Quality of Life, and Ecological Conservation and Restoration. This update offers several advantages for teams seeking recertification, including access to innovative strategies for enhancing performance and reducing emissions and new insights into project data and impact.

The new LEED v5 recertification guidance is designed to support projects certified under previous LEED versions, as well as those initially certified under LEED v5.

Here’s what project teams should know as they plan for recertification:

• It is applicable to all previously certified LEED BD+C and LEED O+M projects: LEED v5 recertification is available to any project previously certified under LEED BD+C or LEED O+M, regardless of the version.
• Prerequisites are required: All projects recertifying under LEED v5 must satisfy prerequisites to ensure robust sustainability performance and establish the foundation of the new rating system’s objectives.
• Performance data must be submitted: Projects must submit a minimum of 12 months of performance data for recent energy and water use, reflecting a reduction from previous performance reporting requirements.
• Five automatic Project Priorities points are granted: Recertifying projects earn five of 10 available points under the Project Priorities category, rewarding their history of leadership while leaving space to pursue other strategies.
• Registration fees are waived: Recertification registration fees are waived (consistent with LEED v4.1), making the process easier and more cost-effective for project teams ready to upgrade to the newest version of the rating system.
• Flexibility is ongoing: Teams can select which additional credits to pursue beyond mandatory requirements, including performance-based credits and strategy-based credits, allowing for a tailored approach that meets each project’s goals.

With these updates, LEED v5 provides a flexible and transparent recertification pathway for both longstanding and newly LEED-certified buildings.

Recertification dates and deadlines

All LEED O+M and LEED BD+C projects certified under LEED v5 or any previous version of the rating system will soon be able to recertify under LEED v5 O+M in Arc.

As USGBC transitions to LEED v5, please note these timing details for recertification and certification under current and retiring versions of the rating system:

Registration close and certification sunset deadlines

*Note: Registration for LEED v4.1 O+M recertification extends an extra year from the initial LEED v4.1 registration close date, to provide projects with more time and flexibility to transition to the new version.

For initial certification plus recertification:

• Projects must register by the stated registration close date and submit initial applications (standard preliminary review) before the sunset date.
• Projects must meet the eligibility requirements in place for each version and submit before their sunset date.

Take the next step

Explore the new LEED v5 recertification guidance and try the free LEED v5 O+M Scorecard Builder tool to chart your project’s path to certification under LEED v5 O+M. Whether you’re ready to upgrade now or want to evaluate your options, USGBC’s new resources provide everything you need to lead with LEED—and help your building become one of tomorrow’s benchmarks for sustainability and resilience.