Why is CHPS becoming part of USGBC?
To build on ou 20-year commitment to supporting U.S. schools, CHPS is becoming part of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The press release announcing the transition on June 24th is the best overview of the reasons for this change.  

We are a Minor Renovations Program sponsor. What is that program’s future?
The Minor Renovations program remains an important part of our work and will continue to be supported during the transition. When CHPS and USGBC first began exploring a partnership, the Minor Renovations program stood out as one of the most compelling and impactful elements of our efforts. USGBC shares our enthusiasm for the program’s potential, and we are actively working together to determine the best path forward for its continued growth and integration. We’re committed to keeping sponsors informed and involved as we shape the program’s future within the USGBC framework, and we’ll provide ongoing updates and support throughout the transition. 

We have a policy that references CHPS certification. How does this change affect that, and what support can you provide to help with the transition?
For currently registered CHPS projects, the certification will remain available for two years. During this two-year phase-out of the CHPS certification program, we will work with school districts every step of the way to help you determine what the best next step is for your building program. We’re working to leverage the hard work and expertise that went into creating the CHPS certification program by adding elements of the CHPS criteria to LEED’s priority credit library. We will provide clear guidance, resources, and personalized support to help you evolve from a CHPS-based requirement policy to one aligned with LEED—without disrupting your current goals or requirements

How can I/we be involved in USGBC’s new effort to envision and stand up a green school design collaborative, which builds on CHPS’ legacy?
The Center for Green Schools, with leadership from the team joining from CHPS, is calling for input and partnership to develop a new collaborative for green school design excellence to support a growing movement to improve school infrastructure. We envision a collaborative that will convene stakeholders from K12 school districts and the building industry to translate research for the K12audience, create practical tools for the field, and set ambitious goals for the future of green school design. If you and/or your organization would like to be involved in envisioning and structuring this collaborative, please fill out this simple form to let us know.

What happens to our private organization membership?
Organizations with current CHPS paid memberships will automatically get one year of complimentary USGBC Membership, at the level proportional to the cost of your CHPS membership. If you are already a paying USGBC member, your membership will be extended at no cost for a length of time proportional to the cost of your CHPS membership. Each current CHPS member will receive communication directly through USGBC’s membership team, explaining your new membership. Details of USGBC Member benefits can be found here: https://www.usgbc.org/membership
Current members can also fill out this information form to help with the transition: https://usgbc.wufoo.com/forms/r1112avr0o4l38i/

What happens to our school district membership?
School district members of CHPS will automatically get a USGBC Organizational Membership for two years. Details of USGBC Member benefits can be found here: https://www.usgbc.org/membership

What happens to projects registered or already in progress under CHPS?
Projects that have registered with CHPS will have two years to complete the CHPS verification process. All projects currently registered or in progress will continue to be supported through the two- year period. During and after this transition period, all new projects are invited to register to pursue LEED certification. On June 30, 2027, CHPS Designed, Verified, and Verified Leader certifications will no longer be offered.  

If your project was planning to pursue CHPS certification but was not yet registered, please reach out to us at schools@usgbc.org and we will find a solution that works for your school or school district. We remain dedicated to honoring existing project commitments and will provide clear guidance to help teams successfully complete their work. 

Are there changes to how we pursue CHPS certification and how we get help with our certification?
For the two-year period when CHPS certification is available, there will be no changes to how project teams pursue CHPS certification or access support. We will continue to provide the same level of guidance and review services throughout the transition period. Teams for current, registered projects can expect the same CHPS process and assistance they have relied on.   

Will existing CHPS projects be allowed to finish under the current system?
As long as project teams submit all documentation before the final submission date of June 30, 2027, existing CHPS projects will be allowed to finish the verification process.  

If our project can’t finish before the deadline, will our CHPS-approved credits transfer to LEED?
No, credits will not automatically transfer to LEED. However, our staff will provide you additional assistance on assessing how your current documentation will transfer to LEED credit documentation.

If we switch to LEED, will we get a refund on our current investment in CHPS?
If you decide to transition your current CHPS project to pursue LEED certification instead, USGBC will honor CHPS certification pricing until the project completes its LEED certification. In other words, if a project is already registered as a CHPS project but has not yet been submitted for design review, it can transition to LEED certification at no additional cost. Its registration fee will be waived, as a registration fee was already paid to register for CHPS. Its design and construction review fees will follow the CHPS review fee schedule until the project completes its certification, regardless of whether that certification extends past the CHPS sunset date of June 30, 2027. CHPS projects that transition to LEED prior to June 30, 2027 will pay certification fees per CHPS fee schedule. After June 30, 2027, any CHPS projects transitioning to LEED will pay LEED fees applicable at that time.

Our project was certified to CHPS criteria or is pursuing certification under CHPS. Can we still use the designation?
Yes, if your project was previously CHPS-certified or is submitted within the deadline for final review—and ultimately approved—it is officially recognized as a CHPS-certified school and will remain so in perpetuity. 

What is our plaque going to look like?
Your CHPS-certified plaque will be provided to you as planned and with a similar design. The only change will be a reference to USGBC near the CHPS logo.

Who can we contact for technical support?
For support, please contact our team directly at schools@usgbc.org. Inquiries regarding certification will be directed to Alex Buchanan, a LEED Accredited Professional with a background in architecture and engineering who has led the CHPS review process for over four years. Alex, along with technical team members Mikayla Poulin-Gilbert and Twishi Shah, will continue to provide expert guidance and assistance to CHPS users throughout the transition 

Where is the overlap between CHPS and LEED, by credit?
There is substantial overlap between the CHPS and LEED rating systems, and you can view an overview here. A detailed credit-by-credit comparison is available on request.

CHPS and LEED certification share common goals and similar technical requirements, particularly in the areas of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, daylighting, and resource stewardship.  CHPS, as a school-specific program, includes a larger number of requirements and emphasis areas that are directly tailored to K–12 educational environments. While the structure and documentation approach differ, there is substantial alignment in credit intent and performance outcomes between the two systems.