An Overview of the Building Certification Process

This article provides a high-level overview of Living Future’s building certification process. 

IN THIS ARTICLE

• Phase 1 - Registration
• Phase 2 - Project Support
• Phase 3 - Audit

Phase 1 - Registration

We recommend registering your project as soon as possible to lock in your program requirements and gain access to technical support from our Buildings Team.

To register, you’ll need to:  

• Ensure you have an active Professional Living Future Membership 
• Prepare some basic project information 
• Follow these instructions to complete your application (approx. completion time: 15 minutes) 

Living Future will issue an invoice for the registration fee within five business days of your application submission.

Phase 2 - Project Support

Living Future staff is available to discuss unique project circumstances and help clarify requirements through technical support calls and email support. The Request for Ruling process is available for projects seeking approval for alternative approaches or needing pre-approval for exceptions. Teams that require extra support can contact their dedicated support inbox to discuss options for additional services.

Links to the program manuals, required compliance documents, and optional checklists and guidance documents can be found on the Resources page.

Phase 3 - Audit

The audit process occurs in two cycles and is performed by a third-party auditor:

• Ready Audit: Takes place upon completion of construction and, if successful, results in a “Ready” designation that may be used by the project to highlight progress toward the intended certification.
• Final Audit: Occurs following a 12-month performance period with continuous occupancy. If successful, the Final Audit leads to Certification.

For each audit, project teams will have the opportunity to answer Clarification Requests before the auditor issues a final ruling. Projects also have the option to appeal once a ruling has been issued. A successful appeal at Ready Audit will result in a Ready designation, and a successful appeal at Final Audit will result in Certification. A project can appeal any given Imperative's ruling no more than twice.