LEED-AP-O-M Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 16

A 1,500 ft2 (139 m2) mobile home is built in the downtown area of a major city. 90% of the project's gross floor will be completed by the time of occupancy. LEED certification is being sought.
Which rating system would be the most appropriate one to use?

LEED Interior Design and Construction
LEED Building Design and Construction
LEED for Homes
No rating system

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

For a mobile home, especially one built in a major city, the most appropriate LEED rating system to use would be LEED for Homes. This is because ASHRAE 90.1 and associated LEED rating systems typically exclude low-rise residential buildings, which include single-family houses, multifamily structures of three stories or fewer above grade, and manufactured houses (modular or mobile homes). Since the mobile home in question falls under the category of manufactured houses, it would be more fitting to pursue LEED for Homes certification, which is designed to cater to residential projects.

Reference:

Information derived from the ASHRAE 90.1-2013 User's Manual indicates the exclusion of low-rise residential buildings, including manufactured houses, from the standard's scope .

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QUESTION: 17

Key functional and operational parameters such as occupied hours of a building, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels, are specified in the

Basis of Design
Design Narrative
Owner Project Requirements
Current Facility Requirements

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The Owner Project Requirements (OPR) is a document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. It typically includes key functional and operational parameters such as occupied hours of a building, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels. The OPR is used as a guiding document throughout the design and construction process to ensure that the team is aligned with the owner's vision and goals.

Reference:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, Functional / Operational | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide, Facilities Operations & Maintenance - An Overview - WBDG The Owner Project Requirements (OPR) is a critical document that outlines the functional and operational objectives of a project, reflecting the owner's needs and expectations. This document serves as a foundation for the design team to develop the Basis of Design (BOD) and guides the project through its lifecycle, ensuring that the owner's operational needs, such as occupied hours, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels, are met. The OPR typically includes information on building occupancy schedules, space usage types, environmental conditions like temperature and lighting requirements, and other owner-driven criteria essential for the building's design and operation. By clearly defining these parameters upfront, the OPR ensures that the project team has a clear understanding of what is expected from the building's performance, facilitating a design that aligns with the owner's vision and operational needs.

Based on the LEED AP documents and resources, such as the ASHRAE 90.1-2013 User Manual, which provides guidelines for determining design and operational parameters like lighting wattage for various space types (ASHRAE 90.1-2013, Section 9.1.4) .

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QUESTION: 18

The maximum number of points in the Innovation Category that can be achieved by exemplary performance is

one point
two points
three points
four points

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The maximum number of points that can be achieved by exemplary performance in the Innovation Category is two. Exemplary performance credits are a part of the Innovation in Design category and are awarded for achieving double the credit requirements or the next incremental percentage threshold1. However, it's important to note that while there are multiple strategies for earning innovation points, there are limits to how many points can be earned for each type of strategy2.

Reference:

Understanding Innovation in Design & Exemplary Performance Credits in LEED, Guide to Exemplary Performance Credits in LEED-NC v4, I'm confused about how many points I can earn for each strategy, NC-v4.1 INc1: Innovation | LEEDuser.

In the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance rating system, the Innovation category allows projects to earn points for employing innovative strategies that demonstrate quantifiable environmental benefits beyond what is covered by the standard LEED credits. Projects can earn points in this category through innovative performance strategies, LEED Pilot Credits, or by having a LEED Accredited Professional on the team.
Exemplary performance refers to achieving performance that significantly exceeds the requirements of existing LEED credits. However, within the Innovation category, there is a limit to the number of points that can be achieved through exemplary performance. Specifically, a project can earn a maximum of two points for exemplary performance under the Innovation category. This encourages projects to explore a range of innovative strategies while also maintaining a balanced approach to sustainability across all categories.

The LEED v4 for Building Operations and Maintenance reference guide provides detailed information on the Innovation category, including the criteria for earning points through innovative strategies, the use of Pilot Credits, and the role of a LEED Accredited Professional. It also specifies the limit on points achievable through exemplary performance, reinforcing the comprehensive approach to sustainability encouraged by the LEED rating system.

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QUESTION: 19

Which product recycling requirement applies specifically to LEED AP® Operations and Maintenance Schools and Hospitality?

Food
Batteries and lamps
Electric powered equipment
Office equipment, appliances and audiovisual equipment

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

1. Food waste must be diverted from disposal in landfills or incineration facilities by donating, composting, or anaerobic digestion1. The other options are incorrect because they are product recycling requirements that apply to all LEED AP O+M projects, not just Schools and Hospitality.

Reference:

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 223
Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam, page 105 LEED v4 AP O+M Mock Exam, page 82
Within the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance rating system, particularly for Schools and Hospitality projects, there is a heightened focus on sustainable waste management practices, including the recycling of specific products. One area of particular importance for these project types is the management of food waste due to the significant volumes generated and the opportunities for diversion from landfills through composting, donation, or other sustainable waste management practices.
Recycling requirements for batteries and lamps, electric-powered equipment, and office equipment, appliances, and audiovisual equipment are generally applicable across various project types. However, the specific emphasis on food waste recycling in Schools and Hospitality projects aligns with the operational characteristics of these facilities, where food service and preparation are integral activities. By focusing on food waste recycling, these projects can significantly reduce their environmental impact, contribute to community well-being, and often achieve operational cost savings.

The LEED v4 for Building Operations and Maintenance reference guide provides a detailed overview of the Materials and Resources credit category, which includes requirements for waste management.

It outlines the specific emphasis on food waste management for Schools and Hospitality projects, recognizing the unique opportunities and challenges these project types face in achieving sustainable waste management practices.

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QUESTION: 20

What is the percentage range of total municipal waste that commercial and institutional buildings typically account for?

25% to 35%
35% to 45%
45% to 55%
55% to 65%

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

This includes waste from commerce, trade, office buildings, institutions and small businesses. The other options are incorrect because they are either too high or too low compared to the actual data.

Reference:

OECD Data: Municipal waste
Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam, page 103 LEED v4 AP O+M Mock Exam, page 83
Commercial and institutional buildings are significant contributors to municipal waste generation. These buildings include offices, schools, retail stores, and healthcare facilities. Waste from these buildings comprises paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, and organics, among other materials. The range of 35% to 45% accounts for the diverse activities within these buildings that generate waste, from daily operational waste to periodic large-scale waste from renovations and refurbishments. Waste management strategies in these buildings, such as recycling and composting programs, can significantly impact this percentage.

LEED Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance, U.S. Green Building Council.

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US Green Building Council LEED-AP-O-M Exam (page: 4) US Green Building Council LEED AP Operations + Maintenance Updated on: 12-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 16

Explanation:

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QUESTION: 17

Explanation:

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QUESTION: 18

Explanation:

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QUESTION: 19

Explanation:

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QUESTION: 20

Explanation:

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US Green Building Council LEED-AP-O-M Exam (page: 4)
US Green Building Council LEED AP Operations + Maintenance
Updated on: 12-Feb-2026