LEED + WELL streamlined certification process guide

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Overview

Where we spend our time--in our communities, at work, at home——impacts our well-being and consequently creates a footprint that impacts our world. In addressing the health of our buildings, we address our own human health and that of the planet. Foundational support of the health of people and the planet is a core principle across LEED and WELL.

This understanding, further supported by events of the last several years, has given rise to a greater market focus and commitment to pursuing both LEED and WELL Certification. As part of their deep strategic partnership, the International WELL Building Institute and U.S. Green Building Council have launched the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification. The following versions of LEED are eligible for streamlined certification with WELL v2: 

  • LEED v4 BD+C 
  • LEED v4 ID+C 
  • LEED v4.1 BD+C 
  • LEED v4.1 ID+C 

Note the project boundary and scope must be the same for both certification programs. 

From identifying comparable strategies to streamlining documentation, this new process identifies synergies between LEED and WELL and creates efficiencies for organizations pursuing both certification programs. It creates an opportunity for organizations to apply an integrated approach to health and sustainability, transforming how they unite stakeholders and make key business decisions.  

In addition to this guide, the process is supported by: 

LEED + WELL Crosswalk

this crosswalk outlines how individual WELL features map to specific LEED credits and vice versa. As buildings are being designed, project teams can use this document to understand where WELL and LEED are aligned and what strategies and initiatives will support both programs.  

The use of this crosswalk is optional, and project teams may choose to use some or all of the credits/features listed. The notes column clarifies how points are awarded for the corresponding feature or credit in the other standard. There are three categories of pathways identified: 

  • Either the LEED or WELL approach may be used for compliance: The LEED credit achievement can be used to achieve the corresponding WELL feature(s) or the WELL feature achievement can be used to achieve the corresponding LEED credit. 
  • The LEED credit achievement can be used to achieve a corresponding WELL feature, but the reverse is not applicable. 
  • WELL feature achievement can be used to achieve a corresponding LEED credit, but the reverse is not applicable.

LEED + WELL Submittal Form

This form is a required submittal document for both LEED and WELL certification reviews. Project teams must complete the form to identify which compliance pathway is being used. Third-party reviewers will reference this form as they complete the LEED and WELL Certification reviews.

Registration and certification 

The following steps outline the process that should be followed when utilizing the LEED + WELL streamlined certification process: 

  • Registration
    • For projects that are not yet registered for LEED or WELL: 
      • When registering a LEED project, select the checkbox indicating the project is pursuing (or has earned) WELL, and enter the WELL project ID and project name. 
      • When registering a WELL project, select the checkbox indicating the project is pursuing (or has earned) LEED, enter the LEED project ID and project name, and select the checkbox indicating intent to use the LEED + WELL crosswalk and streamlined certification process. Select the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification card in the dashboard to opt-in, enter the LEED project information or learn more. 
  • For projects that are already registered under either or both platforms: 
    • Edit the project details page in LEED Online or WELL Online by selecting the checkbox indicating the project is pursuing either certification
      • Enter the corresponding project details
      • In WELL Online, select the checkbox indicating intent to use the LEED + WELL streamlined certification process.  

Documentation Submission

  • Use the LEED + WELL Submittal Form to identify which credits and features from the crosswalk are being attempted and the compliance path pursued.  
  • Upload the LEED + WELL Submittal Form as documentation within both the LEED Online and WELL Online:  
    •  In WELL Online, upload as one of the general documents.  
    •  In LEED Online, upload in the Special Circumstances section of the Project Information Form for LEED. Additionally, in LEED Online, for each credit pursuing the WELL compliance option, replace the required LEED documentation with a “LEED + WELL” note in the Special Circumstances section of the form. 
  • To document compliance with specific credits and features leveraging the crosswalk, upload documentation in the platform associated with the compliance pathway you have chosen. For the credits and features leveraging the crosswalk, you need not upload documents in both locations. For example, if the LEED credit is being used for compliance, upload associated documentation in LEED Online. 
  • Your digital scorecards within LEED Online and WELL Online should indicate each credit and feature you are attempting for each certification program. Credits and features utilizing the crosswalk should be listed as attempting or pursuing in each digital scorecard, even if documentation will be provided through the other platform. The credits and features marked as attempted on each digital scorecard must match the relevant sections in the submittal form.
  • Submit for the applicable phase of review within both LEED Online and WELL Online. 
  • If LEED and WELL reviews are submitted at the same time, a simultaneous review will be performed as long as all of the above steps are complete.  

Documentation Reviews

  • Both the LEED and WELL reviews will be completed and returned per the applicable review phase timeline. Any credits or features that use the crosswalk will have an aligned/coordinated status when reviews are returned. 
  • If a feature or credit that is using the compliance path from one program is pending in the preliminary review, it will also be marked pending in the other program.  
  • If an issue arises that impacts both projects, both reviews will be placed on hold. If the issue only impacts one project, then the impacted review may be placed on hold while the other is returned. 
  • Upon completion, the coordinated reviews for each program will be returned in their respective platforms.  

LEED + WELL FAQs

The LEED + WELL streamlined certification pathway simplifies documentation for projects that are pursuing both certifications at the same time or that have already earned one certification and are looking to add the other. The resources below will help guide you through the process.

  • If your project is already registered in one or both platforms, login to each platform and edit the project details to add the corresponding LEED or WELL project name and number. Select the checkbox indicating that the project is also pursuing LEED/WELL certification. WELL projects, you can also select the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification activity tile in the dashboard to opt-in, enter the LEED project information or learn more.

  • "Yes, you can still use the LEED + WELL Crosswalk to support your certification efforts even if documentation is not being submitted simultaneously. If the project has already achieved either LEED or WELL certification and is getting ready to submit for the corresponding Certification, a copy of the final review report from the certified project can be submitted as part of either the LEED or WELL documentation for credits or features deemed equivalent." Appeal fees will apply if the LEED + WELL Crosswalk is applied after the project has already completed the WELL Documentation Review phase. Learn more.
  • The LEED + WELL streamlined path is currently only available for single asset projects. We are working to add the option to use this pathway for WELL at scale in the future.

  • If you have already started the review process for your LEED or WELL project (or both), contact GBCI. Please include the project name and number with your inquiry. Our customer service team can help determine your options.

  • Technical questions regarding specific credits or features should be directed to your relevant points of contact for each program. Specifically, registered WELL projects should submit related inquiries via the support tab of their WELL account; non-registered projects should submit related inquiries via this contact us form. LEED projects should contact GBCI.

  • Edit your project details to add the corresponding LEED or WELL project to add project name and ID and select the checkbox indicating that the project is also pursuing LEED or WELL certification.

    Download the LEED + WELL Crosswalk to better understand the available compliance paths for LEED credits and WELL features

    Download and complete the LEED + WELL Submittal Form and indicate the applicable compliance paths, indicating the chosen compliance path as “Not Attempted”, “LEED” or “WELL” for each row.

    Upload the LEED + WELL Submittal Form as part of your documentation submission in both your LEED and WELL accounts.

    Instructions outlining the entire process can be found in the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process Guide.    

  • There are several steps to follow when using the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process:

    • Download the LEED + WELL Crosswalk to better understand the available compliance paths for LEED credits and WELL features
    • Download and complete the LEED + WELL Submittal Form indicating the chosen Your digital scorecards within your LEED Online and WELL Online accounts should indicate each credit and feature you are attempting for each certification program. Credits and features utilizing the crosswalk should be listed as attempting or pursuing in each scorecard, even if documentation will be provided through the other platform.
    • Credits and features marked as attempted in each digital scorecard must match the relevant selections in the LEED + WELL Submittal form.    

  • Yes, the LEED + WELL Submittal Form must be uploaded as part of the project documentation in both LEED and WELL online platforms. 

    Required documentation only needs to be uploaded to the platform under which the credit or feature is based upon. For example, if applying a LEED credit to a WELL project, the documentation only needs to be uploaded to the LEED account and vice versa.

  • Most of the WELL features that are applicable to the crosswalk have only documentation-based requirements.

    However, where the WELL approach is being used and the feature requires on-site performance testing, the WELL feature and associated LEED credit will be awarded after the WELL feature is marked as “Achieved,” upon verification during the WELL Performance Review.

    Where the WELL approach is being used and the WELL feature is only documentation-based, the associated LEED credit could be awarded after the feature is marked as “Anticipated” in the WELL Documentation Review.

    If all WELL features being utilized for LEED are documentation-based, the LEED project should be able to achieve LEED Certification after the documentation reviews are complete. The      project should be able to achieve WELL Certification after all features have been fully verified as part of the Performance Review.

  • The standard timeline for each review phase under the applicable program (typically 20-25 business days) will apply to projects using the crosswalk and this process.

  • The WELL + LEED Crosswalk is available to all users. Holding a LEED and/or WELL credential is highly recommended. Explore the available LEED credentials and becoming a WELL AP.

  • If the project has already achieved LEED certification, the crosswalk may be used to support WELL Recertification. Provide a copy of the finalized LEED review report with your WELL submittal. Learn more. The LEED + WELL Crosswalk is not currently available to projects undergoing LEED EB:O+M initial certification or recertification.

  • Yes, the owner of the project must sign two certification agreements, one for LEED and another for WELL in order to enable this streamlined certification process.

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