USGBC LEED AP BD+C Practice Exams
Last updated on Oct 24,2026- Exam Code: LEED AP BD+C
- Exam Name: LEED AP Building Design + Construction
- Certification Provider: USGBC
- Latest update: Oct 24,2026
Question #231
What is the minimum gross floor area required for a Building Design and Construction project to be
eligible for certification?
- A . 250 ft2 (23 m2)
- B . 500 ft2 (46 m2)
- C . 750 ft2 (70 m2)
- D . 1000 ft2 (93 m2)
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
According to the LEED minimum program requirements, the LEED project must include a minimum of 1000 square feet (93 square meters) of gross floor area for the LEED BD+C and LEED O+M rating systems1.
Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide
LEED minimum program requirements
D
Explanation:
According to the LEED minimum program requirements, the LEED project must include a minimum of 1000 square feet (93 square meters) of gross floor area for the LEED BD+C and LEED O+M rating systems1.
Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide
LEED minimum program requirements
Question #232
When considering the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Thermal Comfort, what is the minimum percentage of building occupants that must have individual comfort controls?
- A . 10%
- B . 25%
- C . 50%
- D . 75%
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the Thermal Comfort credit requires providing individual comfort controls for at least 50% of individual occupant spaces, and group controls for 100% of shared multioccupant spaces1. Individual comfort controls allow occupants to adjust one or more of the following: air temperature, air speed, radiant temperature, or humidity. Group controls are shared by two or more occupants within a thermal zone. The credit aims to promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well-being by providing quality thermal comfort.
Reference: EQ Credit Thermal Comfort, LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction123
C
Explanation:
According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the Thermal Comfort credit requires providing individual comfort controls for at least 50% of individual occupant spaces, and group controls for 100% of shared multioccupant spaces1. Individual comfort controls allow occupants to adjust one or more of the following: air temperature, air speed, radiant temperature, or humidity. Group controls are shared by two or more occupants within a thermal zone. The credit aims to promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well-being by providing quality thermal comfort.
Reference: EQ Credit Thermal Comfort, LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction123
Question #233
Smoking is prohibited inside LEED-certified buildings in order to eliminate the health risks associated with environmental tobacco smoke.
Which building type is exempt from this requirement?
- A . Office projects
- B . Healthcare projects
- C . Warehouse projects
- D . Residential projects
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
In LEED-certified projects, residential buildings (D) are the exception to the rule prohibiting smoking inside buildings. For residential projects, the standard is modified to require designated smoking areas with special ventilation or separation rather than a complete ban, as smoking regulations in residential settings often involve tenant rights and are treated differently than commercial or institutional buildings. LEED requires that precautions be taken to control environmental tobacco smoke migration in multifamily residential projects to protect air quality in common areas.
D
Explanation:
In LEED-certified projects, residential buildings (D) are the exception to the rule prohibiting smoking inside buildings. For residential projects, the standard is modified to require designated smoking areas with special ventilation or separation rather than a complete ban, as smoking regulations in residential settings often involve tenant rights and are treated differently than commercial or institutional buildings. LEED requires that precautions be taken to control environmental tobacco smoke migration in multifamily residential projects to protect air quality in common areas.
Question #234
Which of the following strategies will aid in reducing indoor water use?
- A . Design drip irrigation for landscape
- B . Use high-efficiency HVAC systems
- C . Exclude janitor closets in the building
- D . Optimize consumption of showerheads
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, one of the strategies to reduce indoor water use is to optimize the consumption of showerheads by selecting fixtures that have a flow rate lower than the baseline of 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) at 80 psi, or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S. This can help the project achieve the Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, and the Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction, by reducing the aggregate water consumption from plumbing fixtures and fittings by at least 20% from the baseline1.
The other choices are not strategies to reduce indoor water use, because:
Designing drip irrigation for landscape is a strategy to reduce outdoor water use, not indoor water use1.
Using high-efficiency HVAC systems is a strategy to reduce energy use, not water use, although it may have some indirect water savings by reducing the cooling tower water use2.
Excluding janitor closets in the building is not a feasible or practical strategy, as janitor closets are necessary for cleaning and maintenance purposes, and may also be required by codes or standards3.
Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Requirements1; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Requirements1; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Optimize Energy Performance, Requirements2; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Green Cleaning – High-Performance Cleaning Program, Requirements3
D
Explanation:
According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, one of the strategies to reduce indoor water use is to optimize the consumption of showerheads by selecting fixtures that have a flow rate lower than the baseline of 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) at 80 psi, or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S. This can help the project achieve the Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, and the Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction, by reducing the aggregate water consumption from plumbing fixtures and fittings by at least 20% from the baseline1.
The other choices are not strategies to reduce indoor water use, because:
Designing drip irrigation for landscape is a strategy to reduce outdoor water use, not indoor water use1.
Using high-efficiency HVAC systems is a strategy to reduce energy use, not water use, although it may have some indirect water savings by reducing the cooling tower water use2.
Excluding janitor closets in the building is not a feasible or practical strategy, as janitor closets are necessary for cleaning and maintenance purposes, and may also be required by codes or standards3.
Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Requirements1; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Requirements1; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Optimize Energy Performance, Requirements2; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Green Cleaning – High-Performance Cleaning Program, Requirements3
Question #235
Which of the following is a leadership extraction practice that rewards projects for choosing materials with closed-loop recycling and take-back programs in LEED?
- A . Material reuse
- B . Bio-based elements
- C . Extended producer responsibility
- D . Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) wood products
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
. Extended producer responsibility
Extended producer responsibility is a leadership extraction practice that encourages manufacturers to take back their products or packaging at the end of their useful life and recycle them in a closed-loop system. This reduces the environmental impacts of extraction, transportation, and disposal of raw materials. LEED rewards projects for choosing materials that have extended producer responsibility programs or policies in place.
Reference: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4 C Pages 263-2641 LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide – U.S. Green Building Council2
C
Explanation:
. Extended producer responsibility
Extended producer responsibility is a leadership extraction practice that encourages manufacturers to take back their products or packaging at the end of their useful life and recycle them in a closed-loop system. This reduces the environmental impacts of extraction, transportation, and disposal of raw materials. LEED rewards projects for choosing materials that have extended producer responsibility programs or policies in place.
Reference: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4 C Pages 263-2641 LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide – U.S. Green Building Council2
Question #236
A building owner is considering the installation of a solar thermal panel on the roof of the building. The initial cost of the system is higher than a conventional natural gas system.
Which of the following is true to make the renewable energy option economically feasible?
- A . Utility cost savings over the lifetime of the system must offset the higher initial cost
- B . Higher initial cost must exceed the cost of the utility over the lifetime of the system
- C . Higher initial cost must exceed the savings on the utility cost over the lifetime of the system
- D . Utility cost savings over the lifetime of the system must be lower than the higher initial cost of the system
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
The renewable energy option is economically feasible if the present value of the utility cost savings over the lifetime of the system is greater than or equal to the present value of the higher initial cost of the system. This means that the system will pay for itself and generate net savings in the long run.
The utility cost savings depend on the amount of energy produced by the solar thermal panel, the price of natural gas, and the inflation rate. The higher initial cost depends on the size, type, and installation of the solar thermal panel.
Reference: Solar Thermal: Complete Guide to the Pros, Cons and Costs Renewable Energy vs Natural Gas C How The Costs Stack Up
Is Solar Cheaper Than Natural Gas? – PowerSouth Energy Cooperative LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4
A
Explanation:
The renewable energy option is economically feasible if the present value of the utility cost savings over the lifetime of the system is greater than or equal to the present value of the higher initial cost of the system. This means that the system will pay for itself and generate net savings in the long run.
The utility cost savings depend on the amount of energy produced by the solar thermal panel, the price of natural gas, and the inflation rate. The higher initial cost depends on the size, type, and installation of the solar thermal panel.
Reference: Solar Thermal: Complete Guide to the Pros, Cons and Costs Renewable Energy vs Natural Gas C How The Costs Stack Up
Is Solar Cheaper Than Natural Gas? – PowerSouth Energy Cooperative LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4
Question #237
Selecting a high-reflectance interior paint which is compliant with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113 can help contribute towards which two credits?
- A . Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Low-Emitting Materials and Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Interior Lighting
- B . Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Low-Emitting Materials and Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment
- C . Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Low-Emitting Materials and Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Minimum Indoor Environmental Quality Performance
- D . Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Enhanced Indoor Environmental Quality Strategies and Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite, Minimum Indoor Environmental Quality Performance
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
Selecting a high-reflectance interior paint that meets the SCAQMD Rule 1113 can help contribute towards two credits: Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Low-Emitting Materials and Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Interior Lighting. The first credit requires that interior paints and coatings comply with the VOC content limits specified by the SCAQMD Rule 1113 or equivalent standards to reduce indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating, and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants1 The second credit aims to provide high-quality lighting that supports visual acuity and occupant comfort, and that responds to the needs of the space and its users. One of the strategies to achieve this credit is to use light-colored finishes with a minimum reflectance of 0.7 for ceilings, 0.5 for walls, and 0.2 for floors to increase the effectiveness of daylighting and electric lighting systems2
Reference: 1: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Low-Emitting Materials, page 692. 2: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Interior Lighting, page 715.
A
Explanation:
Selecting a high-reflectance interior paint that meets the SCAQMD Rule 1113 can help contribute towards two credits: Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Low-Emitting Materials and Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Interior Lighting. The first credit requires that interior paints and coatings comply with the VOC content limits specified by the SCAQMD Rule 1113 or equivalent standards to reduce indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating, and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants1 The second credit aims to provide high-quality lighting that supports visual acuity and occupant comfort, and that responds to the needs of the space and its users. One of the strategies to achieve this credit is to use light-colored finishes with a minimum reflectance of 0.7 for ceilings, 0.5 for walls, and 0.2 for floors to increase the effectiveness of daylighting and electric lighting systems2
Reference: 1: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Low-Emitting Materials, page 692. 2: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Interior Lighting, page 715.
Question #238
In the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Low-Emitting Materials, what types of products need to be evaluated for both Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content of the material and VOC emissions of the material?
- A . Flooring
- B . Furniture
- C . Composite wood
- D . Wet applied products
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Furniture is the only type of product that needs to be evaluated for both VOC content and VOC emissions in the LEED BD+C Low-Emitting Materials credit. Flooring, composite wood, and wet applied products only need to meet the VOC content requirements, while other types of products, such as ceilings, walls, thermal and acoustic insulation, and exterior applied products, only need to meet the VOC emissions requirements1.
Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide
Low-Emitting Materials | U.S. Green Building Council
B
Explanation:
Furniture is the only type of product that needs to be evaluated for both VOC content and VOC emissions in the LEED BD+C Low-Emitting Materials credit. Flooring, composite wood, and wet applied products only need to meet the VOC content requirements, while other types of products, such as ceilings, walls, thermal and acoustic insulation, and exterior applied products, only need to meet the VOC emissions requirements1.
Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide
Low-Emitting Materials | U.S. Green Building Council
Question #239
The LEED AP is leading the first design charrette for a new LEED project with the project’s owners.
What document should be used to record the project goals to be used throughout the design of the project?
- A . Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
- B . Owner’s list of wants and needs
- C . Criteria for contractor selection
- D . Basis of Design (BOD)
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
The Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) is the document that should be used to record the project goals to be used throughout the design of the project. The OPR is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project1. The OPR is developed during the pre-design phase and is used as a basis for the design team to prepare the Basis of Design (BOD), which describes how the design of the building systems meets the OPR2. The OPR is also used to evaluate the design, construction, and commissioning of the project to ensure that the owner’s expectations are met3.
Reference:
• LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, p. 63
• LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, p. 64
• SECTION 018114 – SUSTAINABLE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS – LEED v4 BD+C, p. 5
A
Explanation:
The Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) is the document that should be used to record the project goals to be used throughout the design of the project. The OPR is a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project1. The OPR is developed during the pre-design phase and is used as a basis for the design team to prepare the Basis of Design (BOD), which describes how the design of the building systems meets the OPR2. The OPR is also used to evaluate the design, construction, and commissioning of the project to ensure that the owner’s expectations are met3.
Reference:
• LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, p. 63
• LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, p. 64
• SECTION 018114 – SUSTAINABLE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS – LEED v4 BD+C, p. 5
Question #240
Which of these is a method to assess the regional context of a building’s design for sustainability?
- A . Conducting a site analysis
- B . Consulting with neighbors
- C . Improving a design threshold
- D . Performing an energy analysis of the building
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
Conducting a site analysis is a method to assess the regional context of a building’s design for sustainability. A site analysis involves collecting and evaluating information about the site’s location, climate, ecology, history, culture, infrastructure, regulations, and stakeholders. This can help identify the opportunities and constraints for the project, as well as the potential impacts and benefits for the environment and the community. A site analysis can inform the design decisions regarding site selection, site development, water management, energy efficiency, material selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation12.
Reference: LEED BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process, page 281; Site Analysis for Construction
A
Explanation:
Conducting a site analysis is a method to assess the regional context of a building’s design for sustainability. A site analysis involves collecting and evaluating information about the site’s location, climate, ecology, history, culture, infrastructure, regulations, and stakeholders. This can help identify the opportunities and constraints for the project, as well as the potential impacts and benefits for the environment and the community. A site analysis can inform the design decisions regarding site selection, site development, water management, energy efficiency, material selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation12.
Reference: LEED BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process, page 281; Site Analysis for Construction