Registration and certification fees

The value of TRUE

Increase the value of your zero waste program through TRUE certification and receive enhanced support services throughout the registration and certification process:

  • Award-winning customer service: Our customer service team has received 13 awards since 2013, including “Customer Service Team of the Year” from the American Business Awards and the International Business Awards. Contact [email protected] for more information.
  • A dedicated TRUE Client Services Director: Newly registered projects are connected to their regional TRUE team member. TRUE Directors have more than a decade of sustainability and green building expertise and can assist with questions before and during your TRUE registration process.
  • Experienced and efficient certification team: Our certification team will assist with questions and streamline your review process to get your project certified as quickly as possible.
  • Comprehensive marketing and public relations support: Certified projects are connected to GBCI’s marketing and public relations teams for comprehensive promotional opportunities available to TRUE Certified projects, and project profiles are posted on our website.

Please review the Guide to TRUE Certification for more details on the certification process and for what else is included in your pricing.

Fees for Facilities/Buildings*

The registration fee is a flat fee paid up front at the time of registration. The certification fee is based on your project's size. The certification fee can be paid together with the registration fee, or before the project team submits documentation for review. Once certified, the project must recertify every 3 years and pay the associated recertification fee. A project may also choose to recertify to upgrade their certification level for an additional flat fee. Projects can also expedite the certification process for a flat $2,000 fee. There is discounted pricing for USGBC members. Discounts are available based on the membership status of either the owner or the project administrator for a given TRUE project.

Fees per building USGBC Silver, Gold and Platinum Level Members Organizational or Non-members
Registration Fees $1,200 $1,500
Precertification Fees $2,500 $3,125
Expedited Review Fee $2,000 $2,000
Supplemental Review Fees $500 per credit reviewed $500 per credit reviewed
Certification Fees
Project Gross Floor Area Rate Minimum Rate Minimum
Less than 250,000 sq ft $0.018/SF $3,500 $0.023/SF $4,375
250,000 - 499,999 sq ft $0.016/SF $4,500 $0.020/SF $5,625
500,000 - 749,999 sq ft $0.014/SF $8,000 $0.018/SF $10,000
750,000 - 999,999 sq ft $0.012/SF $10,500 $0.015/SF $13,125
1,000,000 sq ft or greater Request a quote Request a quote
Multiple Sites/Portfolio Request a quote Request a quote
Recertification Fees
3 Year Recertification (annual data provided) $500 $625
3 Year Recertification (annual data lapsed) $1,000 $1,250
Recertification (upgrade or move) $2,500 $3,125
*Notes
  1. All fees are introductory pricing. Fees are calculated on a per project/facility basis.
  2. There is a 10% discount for paying the registration and certification fees together.
  3. Projects can pay $2000 to expedite their certification process.
  4. Gross floor area is the sum of the floor areas of the spaces within the building(s), including basements, and excludes areas dedicated to parking and circulation of motor vehicles.
  5. For projects located in Canada, please visit the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) website for pricing details. Member pricing will apply to USGBC members and CaGBC members.
  6. For countries outside the US and Canada additional taxes may apply.

TRUE Portfolio program fees

Make a commitment to zero waste and be part of transformational leadership across your entire portfolio! The TRUE portfolio approach offers an alternate, streamlined documentation submittal and verification process by focusing on the similarities between buildings that are striving to recognize their zero waste accomplishments. Participating facilities benefit from economies of scale while also achieving recognition faster. Learn more about the Portfolio process by reviewing the TRUE Portfolio Guidebook.

  1. Portfolio Enrollment Fees

    Certification Enrollment: $10,000 minimum*
    Precertification Enrollment: $5,000 minimum**

    *depending on volume of projects and USGBC Membership Status
    ** projects enrolling both precertification and certification portfolios will receive a $2,500 discount on their enrollment fees

    What’s included in your Portfolio Enrollment fee:

    • Access to tools and templates for planning and submission of projects
    • Access to webinars explaining the Portfolio Program
    • Access to one or more TRUE Advisor Registrations depending on volume of projects
    • Portfolio Orientation Session with TRUE team members
    • A Complete Portfolio Level Review that provides you a catalog of pre-approved MPRs and credits for use in individual projects.
    • A pre-submission and post portfolio review call with the technical reviewers.
    • Incentivized pricing on your portfolio project registration and certification fees
    • Ongoing support from TRUE team members
    • One update to the Portfolio Review within a year after enrollment (please note, this update may not be used to change the portfolio type, for example changing a precertification portfolio to a certification portfolio)
    • Streamlined documentation and certification process for projects in portfolio

  2. Portfolio Project Registration and Certification Fees

    • Discounted pricing off standard per project Registration, Precertification (if applicable) and Certification Fees based on number of projects enrolled in the Portfolio.
    • Further incentivized pricing available for portfolios with 500 projects or more.

  3. Additional Considerations

    • The initial portfolio enrollment fee includes up to one update a year. After that, additional fees may apply for adding or updating credits.
    • Further incentivized pricing may be available if enrolling multiple portfolios.

Contact us today to get connected with a team member who can help determine if portfolio is right for you and provide you with a custom quote for your projects.

Fees for Events*

The registration fee is a flat fee paid per event at the time of registration. The certification fee is also a flat fee and can be paid together with the registration fee, or before the project team submits documentation for review. There is discounted pricing for USGBC members. Discounts are available based on the membership status of either the owner or the project administrator for a given TRUE project.

Review the Guide for TRUE Certification - Events to learn more.

Fees per event USGBC Silver, Gold and Platinum Level Members Organizational or Non-members
Registration Fees $1,200 $1,500
Certification Fees $5,000 $6,250
Expedited Review Fee $2,000 $2,000
*Notes
  1. All fees are introductory pricing. Fees are calculated on a per project/facility basis.
  2. There is a 10% discount for paying the registration and certification fees together.
  3. Projects can pay $2000 to expedite their certification process.
  4. Events are not eligible for precertification or recertification.
  5. Additional fees may apply if the venue exceeds a certain square footage or number of participants, or if the event is recurring, or if the event is outside of the US. Please contact GBCI by emailing [email protected] for details.
  6. For projects located in Canada, please visit the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) website for pricing details. Member pricing will apply to USGBC members and CaGBC members.
  7. For countries outside the US and Canada additional taxes may apply.

Fees for Construction*

The registration fee is a flat fee paid per construction project at the time of registration. The certification fee is also a flat fee and can be paid together with the registration fee, or before the project team submits documentation for review. There is discounted pricing for USGBC members. Discounts are available based on the membership status of either the owner or the project administrator for a given TRUE project.

Please review the TRUE for Construction Project Pilot resources page to learn more.

Fees per event USGBC Silver, Gold and Platinum Level Members Organizational or Non-members
Registration Fees $1,200 $1,500
Certification Fees $5,000 $6,250
Expedited Review Fee $2,000 $2,000
Precertification Fees $2,500 $3,125
*Notes
  1. All fees are introductory pricing. Fees are calculated on a per project/facility basis.
  2. There is a 10% discount for paying the registration and certification fees together.
  3. Projects can pay $2000 to expedite their certification process.
  4. Construction projects are not eligible for recertification.
  5. Additional fees may apply if the venue exceeds a certain square footage or number of participants, or if the event is recurring, or if the event is outside of the US. Please contact GBCI by emailing [email protected] for details.
  6. For projects located in Canada, please visit the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) website for pricing details. Member pricing will apply to USGBC members and CaGBC members.
  7. For countries outside the US and Canada additional taxes may apply.

Policies

Registration and certification fees are subject to change and are calculated on the dates of registration and certification submission. Project teams may prepay certification fees at any time to lock-in current rates. If you need assistance please contact us at [email protected].

Register a project with TRUE