IFC recently launched a new professional role as part of the EDGE green building certification system. EDGE Experts are architects, engineers and construction industry professionals who encourage the construction sector to design and build green by serving as trusted and experienced advisors on EDGE projects. They provide outstanding value to their clients by bringing their skills, insights and knowledge of the EDGE software to inspire confidence that a potential project can achieve EDGE certification.
What is an EDGE expert?
An EDGE Expert is a professional who helps a developer, owner and larger project team understand the EDGE standard, software and certification system. The scope of the EDGE Expert’s work includes advice on green design and assistance with preparation of an application for EDGE certification.
What are the benefits?
As an EDGE Expert, you will be seen by developers and owners as a trusted resource and advisor on EDGE certification. You can market your understanding of the EDGE software to potential developers, which will inspire confidence that their project can achieve certification with your knowledge, insights and support. This will allow you to develop new skills to stay competitive in the market, enabling you to expand your business and services and attract new customers.
As an EDGE Expert, you will also influence best practices in bio-climatic design and make a positive impact by helping to create more resource-efficient buildings.
What are the eligibility requirements?
LEED APs are prequalified. If you are not a LEED AP, you must have a higher education qualification in a construction industry related field or three years of experience working in the construction industry (as a skilled professional or tradesperson) and a higher education qualification (not necessarily in a construction industry-related field).
Acceptable construction industry roles
- Architect
- Architectural Technologist
- Bid Manager
- Building Surveyor
- CAD Technician
- Civil Engineer
- Contracts Manager
- Contractor
- Construction Manager
- Developer
- Electrical Engineer
- Estimator
- Energy/Environmental Engineer
- Facilities Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- Planner
- Procurement and Contracts Manager
- Quantity Surveyor
- Site Engineer
- Site Manager
- Skilled Tradesperson
- Structural Engineer
I meet the eligibility requirements—how do I become an EDGE Expert?
Professionals who meet the eligibility requirements must complete EDGE training (e.g., GBCI’s EDGE Technical Workshop) and successfully pass the EDGE Exam to be considered an EDGE Expert.
Is EDGE training available online?
Yes! GBCI’s EDGE Technical Workshop is available online, on-demand in English (download brochure) or Spanish for only $150. The workshop qualifies EDGE Expert candidates to take the EDGE Exam and covers the basics of EDGE, the certification process, and how to use the EDGE software. The workshop consists of on-demand sessions, with quizzes, a practical exercise, and other interactive features and resources. Learn at your own pace, whenever and wherever you like.
Delivery Format: Online on-demand
Fee: $150
Duration: 8 hours
Languages Available: English or Spanish
Register for English version Course brochure
Regístrese para la versión en español Información del curso
What’s the EDGE Exam? Where can I take it, and how much does it cost?
The EDGE Exam is administered by Prometric (a third-party testing center) and currently costs $100 USD. A complete list of test center locations may be found at prometric.com/edge by clicking on the “Locate a Test Center” link. You may also take the EDGE Exam from the comfort of your home or office as long as your workspace and computer meet Prometric's requirements. The EDGE Exam is administered via computer and consists of 75 multiple-choice questions with a 2.5-hour limit. All exams are closed-book. The exam is currently available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Indonesian Bahasa.
Please contact IFC if you have any additional questions about the EDGE Exam.
Is an owner or developer required to hire an EDGE Expert for a project seeking EDGE certification?
Hiring an EDGE Expert is not required. However, we highly recommend having an EDGE Expert or another individual on the project team that has experience with EDGE to help facilitate the certification process.
What is the difference between an EDGE Expert and an EDGE Auditor?
An EDGE Expert is a professional who helps a developer, owner and larger project team understand the EDGE standard, software and certification system. The scope of the EDGE Expert’s work includes advice on green design and assistance with preparation of an application for EDGE certification.
An EDGE Auditor is an individual who determines by investigation and evaluation of objective evidence whether a building meets the requirements of the EDGE Standard. The EDGE Auditor completes this assessment by reviewing project documentation (Design Audits) and conducting visits to the project site (Site Audits), and making recommendations for certification to GBCI.
EDGE Auditors must be independent from the developer/owner/project team of a project they audit. The EDGE Auditor does not influence project design or make recommendations and only becomes involved once the project submission is received to begin the certification process.
EDGE Auditors have additional steps they must complete on top of what is required to be an EDGE Expert. EDGE Auditors must meet minimum eligibility requirements, submit an application and attend GBCI’s EDGE Auditor Candidate Workshop. They also need to sign an EDGE Auditor agreement with GBCI and pay a biennial maintenance fee. Learn more about the EDGE Auditor position.
Note: A single individual may never have more than one of the following roles in the context of a particular project: EDGE Expert, EDGE Auditor or EDGE Certifier.