About Accredited Professionals (APs)

For GBCSA Accreditations (Green Star, EWP and Net Zero) you may notice that APs have an additional “c” or “+” applied next to their “AP” titles.  This is known as AP tiering, and it simplifies the process of choosing an AP for your project, offering transparency and facilitating ongoing professional development for APs.

AP tiers and their meanings:

• Accredited Professional Candidate (APc): Current student, or recent graduate in a building industry related field with less than six months industry experience
• Accredited Professional: Individuals with either two years’ experience or a recognised tertiary qualification. These are typically individuals who have completed the AP course to enhance their understanding of green building, but who are not actively practising as APs in their daily work.
• Accredited Professional Practitioner (AP+): Active APs engaged in continuous learning activities over a 12-month period. AP+ professionals are experienced advisors who actively work on Green Star and Net Zero projects in South Africa and Africa. When certifying a project, appointing an Accredited Professional Practitioner (AP+) is recommended as one of your first steps.

Note: All AP tiers above have successfully completed the relevant GBCSA Green Building AP Certification Program.

Selecting an AP is an excellent first step in your sustainability journey and should deliver positive outcomes for your project. Whilst the GBCSA cannot endorse any specific APs or regulate fees, we recommend three key steps to select the most suitable AP for your project:

Use the AP Directory: Search for an AP with the appropriate skills, experience, and location for your project. You can refine your search based on technical background, location, years of experience, or AP tiering. Opting for APs with “AP+” tiering is advisable when seeking a qualified green building professional.

Explore GBCSA’s Projects Directory to find similar projects to yours: Discover similar projects to yours in the Project Directory, where you can find information on APs who have worked on those projects. This helps you identify APs with relevant experience, who might be a good fit for your project. For example, if you are looking for a Net Zero Water AP, search for projects that have already been certified with this rating tool. The case studies can also provide valuable additional detail and ideas that might also inspire your own projects.

Follow a robust appointment process: Collect multiple proposals, compare services and pricing, and ensure clarity on certification requirements and additional value offered by the consultant. It doesn’t need to be daunting to undertake your first green building project. When choosing an AP or other consultants, we suggest the following steps to make the process smoother:

Compare Multiple Proposals: Collect at least two or more proposals to ensure you have options to compare services and pricing. Make sure you provide the same project requirements outline to all consultants. If you need assistance in defining your project scope, feel free to reach out to us at GBCSA directly.

Experience Matters: Whenever possible, consider working with a green building consultant who has a track record of successfully certifying projects. Alternatively, they can partner with or receive support from a seasoned consultant with a history of successful certifications. At GBCSA, we support and encourage the growth and mentorship of emerging APs. Exploring collaborative opportunities can be a rewarding and enriching experience for all involved.

Thorough Proposal Assessment: When evaluating the proposals you receive, make sure you clearly understand what’s required for certification and what’s offered as additional value. This clarity will help you make an informed decision about which consultant to choose.