LFA (Living Future Accreditation)
LFA (Living Future Accreditation)
LFA is the leading foundational credential for regenerative design from the International Living Future Institute. Enrollment in LFA provides access to a 20-hour, self-paced online curriculum that introduces regenerative buildings, healthy materials, and equitable organizations—key areas essential to creating a socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative built environment.
With Living Future Accreditation (LFA), you'll gain a competitive edge by showcasing your expertise, deepening your knowledge of ILFI's certification programs—including the Living Building Challenge®, Living Product Challenge™, Declare®, and Just®—and demonstrating your professional alignment with the regenerative buildings movement.
Collapsible content
LFA Curriculum and Coursework
The LFA curriculum is organized into modules with 1- to 2-hour courses. Courses include video lectures, readings, knowledge-checks, and written activities. Courses conclude with multiple-choice quizzes. You can revisit course content and repeat quizzes as necessary.
You'll learn:
- The history, mission, and vision of the International Living Future Institute
- Why the building industry must transform practices to address climate change, improve human health, and promote equity
- ILFI's ecosystem of programs designed to positively impact the built environment through regenerative design
- The purpose and requirements of ILFI's building, product, and organizational certification and labeling programs
- Approaches to advocate for holistic and advanced sustainability to achieve net-positive outcomes
- Leadership models to drive change regardless of your role
- Unique ways to contribute to realizing a Living Future and how to begin your journey now
To view curriculum details, please view the LFA Guide.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Courses in the LFA curriculum are AIA CES approved for 12 LU|HSW and 6 LU|Elective with the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Benefits of LFA
Through LFA, you'll gain preparation and confidence for working on projects pursuing Living Future Challenge certifications and labels, along with the knowledge and skills to become a confident leader and advocate in green building and beyond.
You'll earn:
- Award of LFA certificate issued by the International Living Future Institute
- Use of LFA as post-nominal letters
- Continuing education credits for AIA (American Institute of Architects)
- Listing in the Living Future Member Directory as an LFA
- Eligibility to fulfill the project team member requirement for the Living Building Challenge
Who Should Pursue LFA
LFA is designed for architecture, engineering, design, and construction (AEDC) professionals at every level who are interested in expanding their careers by advancing their knowledge and understanding of regenerative design principles and frameworks that address the limitations of traditional sustainability approaches and actively create positive outcomes.
LFA is also appropriate for professionals in adjacent AEDC industries as well as post-secondary students and educators.
Still curious if LFA is right for you? Email us at education@living-future.org so we can help!
LFA Achievement Requirements
Achievement of LFA is accomplished by successfully completing the self-paced, online curriculum. No prerequisite courses or knowledge are required. There is no final exam, completion deadline, or maintenance or renewal requirement.
Want to learn more about LFA before you enroll? Check out the LFA Guide for additional details about courses, requirements, and more.
LFA Testimonials
-
MICHELLE JOHANSSON, LFA Architect & Director | Johansson Group | Auckland, New Zealand
“I feel having LFA both formalises and forms a basis to the learning from that work and lets people know you have that knowledge. To me, LFA is absolutely a good thing to have, regardless of the level you work at, because you get a wide-ranging deep green education that is only going to benefit everything you do.”
-
ANGELO TAN, LFA Green Building Country Lead | International Finance Corporation | Manila, Philippines
"Pursuing LFA has deepened my commitment to sustainable development and to helping my country. LBC provided a framework for me to explore the unique barriers and opportunities in regenerative design for developing countries. Achieving LFA also had an influence on my transition to sustainability and development work.”
-
MARLOES REININK, LFA Founder & Owner | Solid Green Consulting | Johannesburg, South Africa
“We are currently working on two LBC projects in South Africa, and becoming an LFA reinforced the clients’ confidence in me to lead their projects towards certification.”
Corporate Packages
Save 10% by bundling Living Future Membership, Living Future Accreditation, Ecotone books, and more for your team