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.

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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 

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LEED v5 ID+C 

• Rating System  
  • Version with tracked edits from April Launch  

• Reference Guide 

• Fact Sheet 

• Credit library 

• Scorecard 

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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 

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Canadian Regional Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs):  

• LEED BD+C LTc1 Sensitive Land Protection, Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites – RACP1 – Prime Farmland  

• LEED BD+C SSc1: Biodiverse Habitat – Option 2. Bird-Friendly Glass and LEED v5 O+M: SSc2: Light Pollution and Bird Collision Reduction – Option 2. Bird Collision Reduction – RACP15 – Bird-Friendly Design in Canada 

• Other Canadian regional ACPs are expected to be released throughout 2026.  

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Critical resources: 

• Addenda Database  

• Addenda Tables (BD+C, ID+C, O+M) 

• Arc Water Meter Guide 

• BPSP Criteria Areas and Achievement Levels (BD+C | ID+C) 

• LEED v4/4.1 Sunset Deadlines  

• LEED v5 Glossary 

• Project Priorities library (contains project type specific credits, innovation strategies, pilot credits, pilot alternative paths, and more) 

• Sample of LEED Forms – These are available through the Arc Platform (under Scoring & Tools /Sample Forms) 

• Summary of Changes to LEED v5 

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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   

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Calculators, Checklists, templates and workbooks 

Integrative Process (IP)  

• Climate Resiliency Assessment Template (BD+C I ID+C)

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)  

• Carbon Assessment Calculator (BD+C | ID+C) 

• Electrification (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Energy Simulation Report criteria (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Operational Carbon Project Calculator (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)  

• Refrigerant Management Calculator (O+M) 

• Renewable Energy (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Systems Optimization (ID+C)  

• USGBC Strategic Decarbonization Workbook (O+M)  

Materials and Resources (MR)  

• Biophilic Design Template (BD+C | ID+ C) 

• Building Products (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion (BD+C)  

• Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion (ID+C)  

• Construction Management Implementation Checklist (BD+C | ID+C)   

• Embodied Carbon (BD+C)  

• Embodied Carbon (ID+C)  

• Materials Reuse (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Waste Reduction Performance (O+M)  

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Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)  

• Acoustics (BD+C | ID+C)  

• 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  

• Arc Upload Template for EQc Occupant Experience Performance (O+M) 

• Daylight (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Green Cleaning (O+M)  

• Model Simulation Checklist (for Daylight Simulation) (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Quality Views (BD+C | ID+C)  

• Ventilation Calculator (BD+C | ID+C) 

• Ventilation Calculator – Simplified Procedure (O+M) 

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Crosswalks 

• LEED v5 BD+C and SITES v2 Crosswalk  

• LEED v5 BD+/ID+C and WELL  

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Learning 

• CAGBC LEED v5 Engagement series (2025-26) 

• LEED v5 Overview (recorded webinar Nov 5, 2025) 

• LEED v5: The New Prerequisites (recorded webinar March 4, 2026) 

• LEED v5 Focus on Decarbonization (recorded webinar Jan 22, 2026) 

• Building Resilience with LEED v5 (recorded webinar Nov 13, 2025) 

• LEED v5 BD+C: the Approach for Materials (recorded webinar Nov 28, 2025) 

• Sustainable Finance & LEED V5 (recorded webinar October 16, 2025) 

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Updated March 16, 2026 

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