LEED v5 Resources

Critical LEED v5 resources are outlined below, including scorecards, fact sheets, and the launch edition of the Reference Guides. These Reference Guides expand on the requirements outlined in the LEED v5 rating system. They offer background information on each LEED category along with a detailed explanation of the technical requirements for each credit. Designed for contractors, engineers, architects, interior and landscape designers, building operators and managers, and LEED consultants, the guides emphasize the importance of selecting the right rating system. They highlight the need to understand Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) and to clearly define project boundaries early in the process to facilitate a smoother path to certification.

Canadian Regional Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs): 

• LEED BD+C LTc1 Sensitive Land Protection, Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites – RACP1 – Prime Farmland 
• Other Canadian regional ACPs are expected to be released in 2026 Q1. 

LEED v5 BD+C

• Rating System  
  • Version with tracked edits from April Launch
• Reference Guide
• Fact Sheet
• Credit library: New Construction and Major Renovations and Core and Shell Development
• Scorecard: New Construction and Major Renovations and Core and Shell Development

LEED v5 ID+C

• Rating System 
  • Version with tracked edits from April Launch 
• Reference Guide
• Fact Sheet
• Credit library
• Scorecard

LEED v5 O+M

• Rating System 
  • Version with tracked edits from April Launch 
• Reference Guide
• Fact Sheet
• Credit library
• Scorecard
• Scorecard Builder (designed to help project teams quickly assess anticipated performance under the new O+M rating system) 
• LEED v5 Recertification Guidance

Critical resources:

• Addenda Database 
• LEED v4/4.1 Sunset Deadlines 
• LEED v5 Glossary
• Project Priorities library
• Summary of Changes to LEED v5
• FAQ 
  • USGBC’s General LEED v5 FAQ  
  • USGBC’s FAQ on Working on LEED v5 projects in Arc  
  • USGBC’s FAQ on LEED v5 Exam Information 
• Register a LEED v5 Project  

Checklists, templates and workbooks

• Arc Upload Templates for EQc1: Indoor Air Quality Performance (O+M): 
  • Option 1. Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring 
  • Option 2. Targeted One-time Air Testing 
  • Option 3. Targeted One-time Individual Volatile Organic Compounds testing 
• Biophilic Design Template (BD+C | ID+ C)
• BPSP Criteria Areas and Achievement Levels (BD+C | ID+C)
• Climate Resiliency Assessment Template (BD+C I ID+C)
• Construction Management Implementation Checklist (BD+C | ID+C)  
• Energy Simulation Report criteria (BD+C | ID+C) 
• Model Simulation Checklist (for Daylight Simulation) (BD+C | ID+C) 
• USGBC Strategic Decarbonization Workbook (O+M) 

Calculators

• Location and Transportation (LT) 
  • Transportation Demand Management (BD+C | ID+C) 
• Sustainable Sites (SS) 
  • Rainfall Management (BD+C) 
• Water Efficiency (WE) 
  • Outdoor Water Use (BD+C) 
  • Whole Project Water Use (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Fixture and Fittings Water Use (BD+C | ID+C) 
• Energy & Atmosphere (EA) 
  • Electrification (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Plug and Process Load (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Reduce Peak Thermal Load (BD+C) 
  • Reduce Peak Thermal Load (ID+C) 
  • Refrigerant Inventory (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Renewable Energy (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Systems Optimization (ID+C) 
• Materials and Resources (MR) 
  • Building Products (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion (BD+C) 
  • Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion (ID+C) 
  • Embodied Carbon (BD+C) 
  • Embodied Carbon (ID+C) 
  • Materials Reuse (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Waste Reduction Performance (O+M) 
• Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) 
  • Acoustics (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Daylight (BD+C | ID+C) 
  • Green Cleaning (O+M) 
  • Quality Views (BD+C | ID+C) 

Crosswalks

• LEED v5 BD+C and SITES v2 Crosswalk 
• LEED v5 BD+/ID+C and WELL 

Updated November 13, 2025

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