About Accredited Professionals (APs)
Accredited Professionals play a pivotal role in championing a project's sustainability objectives and targets.
Whether you’re applying for Green Star, Energy Water Performance (EWP) or Net Zero certification, an Accredited Professional (AP) can be your trusted ally in achieving your rating goals by guiding your team and managing the certification submission requirements. APs are qualified in the process and technical requirements for specific green building tools, and can deliver successful submissions to GBCSA.
What is the role of an AP?
An AP serves as the driving force behind a project’s sustainability aspirations.
They work closely with the project owner to define the project’s core purpose, and work closely with the team to guide the project to achieving its greatest potential as a green building.
A typical scope of an AP includes, but is not limited to:
- Setting project sustainability goals and targets that inspire and transform
- Developing a strategy to achieving the project-specific targets
- Registering the project with GBCSA
- Coordination of, and guidance on any cost
- Guide and advise the owner and project team in achieving certification
- Assist with preparation of the project submission for certification
- Serve as liaison with GBCSA on behalf of the client and project team
All GBCSA APs have undergone training, and successfully passed the competency exam. These professionals are independent third parties, external to GBCSA, and their contracts and fees are negotiated directly with the project developers.
Choosing an AP
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.
GBCSA AP Protocol
sets out the process that individuals to work as Green Star or Net Zero APs, as well as the pathway to and maintenance of status as AP+.
Accredited Professional Directory
Our directory provides contact details for Accredited Professionals tailored to suit your project’s type and location. Find the ideal AP to support your green journey here.
Are you interested in becoming an AP?
See the latest courses on offer from GBCSA Academy.
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Aadil Mahomed
Qualifications
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Candidate AP - New Buildings
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Aadil Fayzoo
Randburg, GautengAP+Qualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Green Star AP Existing Building Performance
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AP - Net Zero
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Aashik Khoosal
Johannesburg, GautengQualifications
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Green Star AP Existing Building Performance
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Abdul-Khaaliq Mohamed
Johannesburg, GautengQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Abdurahgiem Dollie
Qualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Abhisek Chakraborty
Johannesburg, GautengQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Abigail James
Johannesburg, GautengQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Abongile Mvukuzo
Johannesburg, GautengQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Abré Maree
Khomas Region, NamibiaQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Abrie Johann Vermeulen
Pretoria, GautengQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Adam Brews
Cape Town, Western CapeQualifications
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Green Star AP New Buildings
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Adam Fleiser
Qualifications
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Candidate AP - New Buildings
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