TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit:
Environmentally Preferable Productswhen using certified lumber, specificallyForest Stewardship Council (FSC)certified wood, which ensures sustainable forestry practices. Documentation is critical to verify compliance.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1-4 points)
Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials:
* FSC-certified wood: Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.Projects must provide chain of custody (COC) certificates from vendors to document that the wood is FSC-certified, verifying sustainable sourcing.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160-161.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
To earn points for FSC-certified wood, projects must collect chain of custody (COC) certificates from suppliers to document that the lumber meets FSC standards.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
To achieve points, the builder mustcollect all vendor chain of custody (COC) certificates to document the use of FSC certified materials(Option D). COC certificates trace the wood from FSC-certified forests to the project, ensuring compliance with the credit's requirements.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.
B). Include Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified lumber in all plans and specifications: SFI is not acceptable for this credit, and plans alone do not verify actual use; COC documentation is required.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.
C). Notify all suppliers of project requirement for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber:
Notification is a good practice but insufficient without COC certificates to document compliance.Reference:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource.
The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of FSC COC documentation.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160-161.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.
usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org
/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming FSC documentation requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control
, which awards points for physical or nontoxic strategies to prevent pest entry, particularly in areas with high pest activity like termites, without relying on chemical treatments.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control (1 point)
Employ physical barriers to prevent pest entry, such as installing code-approved termite barriers (e.g., physical shields or mesh) around foundations to protect against termite infestation in a nontoxic manner.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control
Installing a code-approved termite barrier is a recognized strategy to earn points by preventing termite access without chemical treatments, suitable for areas with heavy infestation.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isinstalling a code-approved termite barrier(Option A), as this is a physical, nontoxic strategy explicitly recognized for the credit in termite-prone areas.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.
C). Installing wood framing that is treated 3 ft. (0.9 m) above the foundation: Chemical treatment (e.g., with borates) is not considered nontoxic under this credit.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
D). Installing landscaping at least 12 in. (0.3 m) away from all parts of the home: While this may reduce pest access, it is not a primary strategy listed for this credit.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes SS credits, including nontoxic pest control, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of termite barriers.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Sustainable Sites Credit:
Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.
usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org
/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming pest control strategies.

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 for Option 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 Transitor Neighborhood 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.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.
usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org
/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming alignment with v4 infill requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses kitchen ventilation requirements in theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Prerequisite: Ventilation, which referencesASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 for minimum airflow rates in residential buildings, including multi-family units.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation
For intermittent local exhaust in kitchens, ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 requires a minimum airflow rate of
100 cfm (47 lps) for each kitchen to effectively remove cooking-related pollutants and moisture, regardless of the number of bedrooms.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Ventilation, p. 142.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation
Intermittent local exhaust in kitchens must provide at least 100 cfm (47 lps) per ASHRAE 62.2-2010 to ensure adequate ventilation in multi-family units, including two-bedroom units.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer is100 cfm (47 lps)(Option A), as this is the minimum airflow requirement for intermittent kitchen exhaust per ASHRAE 62.2-2010.
Why not the other options?
* B. 200 cfm (94 lps): This exceeds the minimum requirement for intermittent kitchen exhaust.
* C. 1 cfm per ft² (5.08 lps per m²): Kitchen exhaust is not based on floor area but on a fixed rate (100 cfm).
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation, p.
142.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes EQ prerequisites, including ventilation requirements, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of ASHRAE 62.2-2010.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Ventilation, p. 142.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.
usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org
/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming kitchen exhaust requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Radon Control, which promotes radon-resistant construction techniques to mitigate the health risks of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EQ Credit: Radon Control (1 point)
Install a passive or active radon-resistant system, including a vent pipe extending from below the foundation (e.g., sub-slab or crawlspace) to the roof to exhaust radon gases before they enter the home. This is a primary radon-resistant construction technique.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Radon Control, p. 150.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EQ Credit: Radon Control
A vent pipe to exhaust gases from under the home (e.g., sub-slab depressurization system) is a key radon- resistant technique, preventing radon entry into living spaces.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isvent pipe to exhaust gases from under the home(Option A), as this is a standard radon- resistant technique, typically involving a sub-slab depressurization system with a vent pipe.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Radon Control, p.
150.
C). Perforated foundation slab to allow air circulation: Perforated slabs are not a recognized radon-resistant method; they may increase radon entry by allowing gas to flow into the home.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Radon Control, p. 150.
D). Continuously operating bath fans to remove gases from inside the home: Bath fans address general ventilation, not radon-specific mitigation, which requires sub-slab venting.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes EQ credits, including radon control, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based on LEED v4, ensuring the relevance of vent pipe systems.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Radon Control, p. 150.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.
usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org
/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming radon-resistant techniques.