Free USGBC LEED-AP-Homes Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)encourages passive solar design strategies in theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA)category, particularly inEA Credit: Optimize Energy PerformanceorEA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, to maximize energy efficiency through site and building design.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance

The first step in solar home design is to orient the building to maximize solar exposure for passive heating, daylighting, and potential active solar systems. Proper orientation (e.g., south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere) optimizes energy performance before other strategies like window selection or shading.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Optimize Energy Performance, p. 118.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance

Building orientation is the primary consideration in solar design, as it determines the effectiveness of passive solar strategies and energy efficiency measures.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Thefirst considerationin solar home design is toorient the building(Option D), typically to maximize south-facing exposure (in the Northern Hemisphere) to optimize passive solar heating, daylighting, and solar energy potential.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses acoustic comfort in theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, which includes requirements for bathroom exhaust fans to ensure they are quiet to encourage use and maintain indoor air quality.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation (1–3 points)

For bathroom exhaust fans, select equipment with a maximum noise level of 1.0 sone to support acoustic comfort and encourage regular use. Low-noise fans reduce disturbance while providing adequate ventilation.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation

Bathroom exhaust fans must not exceed 1.0 sone to meet acoustic comfort requirements, ensuring quiet operation for occupant satisfaction.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The maximum sone level for bathroom exhaust fans is1.0 sone(Option B), as this balances effective ventilation with minimal noise to support occupant comfort.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theInnovation (IN) Credit: LEED Accredited Professional, which awards a point for having a LEED AP for Homes as a principal member of the project team to guide sustainable design and certification.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

IN Credit: LEED Accredited Professional (1 point)

At least one principal participant of the project team must be a LEED AP for Homes and hold the credential prior to project registration. The LEED AP must be actively involved in the project to ensure effective implementation of LEED strategies.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Innovation Credit: LEED Accredited Professional, p. 189.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

IN Credit: LEED Accredited Professional

The LEED AP for Homes must be a principal member of the project team (not the verification team) and possess the credential before project registration to earn the credit.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isproject team and possess the credential prior to project registration(Option B), as this meets the credit’s requirements for the LEED AP’s role and timing.

Why not the other options?

A. Project team and possess the credential prior to preliminary rating: The credential must be held before project registration, not preliminary rating.

C. Verification team and possess the credential prior to preliminary rating: The LEED AP must be on the project team, not the verification team.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Community Resources and Services, which awards points based on the number of publicly accessible community services within 1/4 mile (0.4 km) for single-family homes or 1/2 mile (0.8 km) for multi-family projects. The question specifies a 1/2-mile radius, suggesting a multi-family context.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

LT Credit: Community Resources and Services (1–2 points)

Earn 1 point for at least 4 community services or 2 points for 8 or more services within 1/2 mile (0.8 km) walking distance for multi-family projects. Qualifying services include restaurants, schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, and places of worship (e.g., churches), provided they are publicly accessible.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Community Resources and Services, p. 56.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

LT Credit: Community Resources and Services

Community services such as restaurants, schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, and churches within 1/2 mile (0.8 km) of a multi-family project count toward the credit if publicly accessible.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Evaluation of resources:

Three restaurants: All qualify as community services.

One school: Qualifies as a community service.

Two pharmacies: Both qualify as community services.

One church: Qualifies as a place of worship.

One grocery store: Qualifies as a community service.

Total: 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 =7 resources.

The correct answer isseven resources(Option C), as all listed services are publicly accessible and within 1/2 mile, contributing to the credit.

Why not the other options?

A. Five resources: This undercounts the qualifying services (7 total).

B. Six resources: This also undercounts the total (7).

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)outlines the requirements for theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, which includesOption 2: Infill Development. This credit encourages development on sites that minimize environmental impact by utilizing previously disturbed or developed land. For a site to qualify as infill development, a specific portion of its perimeter must border land that has been previously disturbed.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4), the requirement forOption 2: Infill Developmentis as follows:

Option 2. Infill Development (1 point)

Select a lot such that at least 75% of the perimeter of the project site immediately borders parcels that are previously developed or that have been graded or otherwise altered by direct human activities.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.

This means that75% of the site’s perimetermust border previously disturbed land to meet the infill development criteria. The population of the town (10,000 in this case) does not directly affect the infill development requirement but may be relevant for other LT credits, such asAccess to Quality TransitorNeighborhood Pattern and Design, which consider community size or density. However, forSite Selection, Option 2, the focus is solely on the perimeter bordering previously disturbed land.

TheLEED v4.1 for Homesrating system aligns with this requirement, as it maintains the same infill development criteria for residential projects under the LT category:

LT Credit: Site Selection, Option 2. Infill Development

At least 75% of the project site’s perimeter must border previously developed or disturbed parcels.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookconfirms that the exam tests knowledge of theLEED v4rating system, including the LT credits, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a primary study resource. The handbook does not alter the technical requirements but emphasizes understanding credit intent and compliance paths, such as the infill development perimeter rule.

Why not the other options?

A. 25%: This is too low and does not meet the minimum threshold for infill development, which requires significant adjacency to previously disturbed land to ensure compact,sustainable development.

B. 50%: While closer, 50% still falls short of the 75% requirement, which is designed to prioritize sites fully integrated into existing developed areas.

D. 100%: Requiring 100% of the perimeter to border previously disturbed land is overly restrictive and not specified in the LEED v4 or v4.1 requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Contaminant Control, which includes strategies to prevent contaminants from entering HVAC systems during construction to maintain indoor air quality.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EQ Credit: Contaminant Control, Option 3: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management (1–2 points)

During construction, seal off all duct boots and vents after HVAC rough-in installation to prevent dust, debris, and other contaminants from entering the system, ensuring clean air distribution upon occupancy.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Contaminant Control, p. 148.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EQ Credit: Contaminant Control

Sealing duct boots and vents during construction is a required step to prevent contamination of HVAC systems, protecting indoor air quality.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isseal off all duct boots and vents(Option C), as this prevents contaminants from entering the HVAC system during construction, aligning with the credit’s requirements.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)outlines the certification process, including who is authorized to submit a project to the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) for LEED certification.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

Certification Process

The project owner or a designated project team member (e.g., the project manager or LEED AP) is responsible for submitting the LEED for Homes project to GBCI for certification, coordinating with the LEED Green Rater for documentation and verification.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Introduction, p. 28.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

Certification Process

The owner or a designated project team member submits the project to GBCI for certification, supported by the Green Rater’s verification reports and documentation.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isthe Owner or designated project team member(Option D), as they are authorized to submit the project to GBCI.

Why not the other options?

A. The Green Rater: The Green Rater conducts field inspections and prepares verification reports but does not submit the project.

B. The Energy Rater: The Energy Rater focuses on energy performance (e.g., HERS Index) and does not handle submission.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)rewards energy-efficient systems, including solar hot water heating, under theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA)category. Solar hot water systems reduce energy use for water heating, a significant component of residential energy consumption.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EA Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment (1–3 points)

Install high-efficiency water heating equipment, such as solar hot water systems, that meet specified performance criteria (e.g., solar fraction of at least 0.4 for solar systems). Points are awarded based on the efficiency and percentage of hot water demand met by the system.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment, p. 134.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EA Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment

Solar hot water systems qualify for points by reducing energy use for water heating, based on their solar fraction or efficiency.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Solar hot water heating systems are rewarded underEfficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment(Option B), as they directly address water heating efficiency.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includesRegional Priority (RP) Credits, which provide bonus points for achieving existing credits identified as environmentally significant for a project’s region. For credits with multiple thresholds, exemplary performance can earn additional points.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

Regional Priority Credits (1–4 points)

Regional Priority Credits are awarded for achieving designated credits that address location-specific environmental priorities. For credits with multiple thresholds (e.g., Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use), an additional bonus point is awarded when the maximum threshold has been exceeded, demonstrating exemplary performance.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credits, p. 190; Innovation Credit: Innovation, p. 190.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

Regional Priority Credits

When an RP credit has multiple thresholds, a project earns the bonus point by meeting the base credit requirements, and an additional point may be earned for exemplary performance by exceeding the maximum threshold of the underlying credit.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer ispoints are awarded when the maximum threshold has been exceeded(Option C), as RP credits with multiple thresholds award bonus points for exemplary performance beyond the highest threshold.

Why not the other options?

A. Points are awarded at the minimum threshold: RP credits require achieving the base credit, not just the minimum threshold.

B. Points are awarded at the maximum threshold: Points are awarded for exceeding the maximum threshold, not just meeting it.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses shower compartments in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Indoor Water Use, where the definition impacts water use calculations for fixtures like showerheads.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use (1–6 points)

A shower compartment is defined as an enclosed area with a floor area of no more than 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), where all fixtures (e.g., multiple showerheads) within the compartment count as a single fixture for water use calculation purposes. This accounts for simultaneous use in a single showering event.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use

A shower compartment has a maximum floor area of 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), and all fixtures within it are treated as a single fixture for calculating water use, reflecting typical usage patterns.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer ishas a floor area of no more than 2,500 in² (1.6 m²) with all fixtures within the compartment counting as a single fixture for calculation purposes(Option A), as this matches the LEED definition.

Why not the other options?