Training · Professional requirements
Does a biodiversity course count toward my WELL AP maintenance?
Maintaining the WELL AP credential requires 30 continuing-education hours every two years, of which only 6 must be WELL-specific. The remaining 24 may come from courses not approved by GBCI, per the WELL documentation itself. The Level 1 training, which covers biophilia, provides 7 such hours; GBCI is the one that decides.
The WELL AP credential, awarded by GBCI, is maintained through continuing education. The rule is quantified: 30 hours every two years. Of those 30 hours, only 6 must be specific to WELL; the other 24 fall under general education in green building, environmental sustainability and health.
What the text says
« Education for general CE hours (relevant to green building, environmental sustainability and human health and wellness) can come from learning activities that are approved by GBCI, or from non-approved courses. »
The correspondence, point by point
| What the body requires | Source | What the training provides |
|---|---|---|
| 30 CE hours over two years, only 6 WELL-specific; the other 24 may come from non-approved courses | support.wellcertified.com | Level 1, ENV34P: 7 certified hours, eligible as general hours, biophilia included |
| Education in green building, environment, health and wellness | support.wellcertified.com | Content on biodiversity in buildings and biophilia, backed by a programme and a named certificate |
This correspondence analysis is prepared by IRICE from the documents published by the bodies cited, on the date indicated. It has not been submitted to these bodies and confers neither recognition, approval, nor partnership. Each body remains the sole judge of whether a training course is admissible under its own requirements. It is the candidate's responsibility to check with the body concerned. Any rectification request may be sent to hello@irice-certification.com and will be processed within 15 days.
What the training provides
The Level 1 training covers biodiversity applied to buildings, including biophilia, a topic directly relevant to a WELL AP. It provides seven certified hours, which fall under general continuing-education hours, the ones the WELL documentation admits even without GBCI approval.
GBCI is the one that ultimately judges whether your hours are admissible. We do not decide in its place; we give you a named certificate and a detailed programme, enough to document your hours. A French certificate never stands as equivalence to a non-French status.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a WELL AP need?
Thirty hours every two years. Of those thirty, only six must be specific to WELL; the other twenty-four fall under general education in green building, environment and health.
Does a course not approved by GBCI count?
Yes, for general hours. The WELL documentation states these hours may come from GBCI-approved activities or from non-approved courses. GBCI is the one that decides.
Is biodiversity relevant to WELL?
Biophilia, which connects buildings to living systems, is on the Level 1 programme and falls under the green building, environment and wellness themes the WELL documentation targets for general hours.
How many hours does the Level 1 training provide?
Seven certified hours, in one day, with no prerequisite and a detailed programme. The certificate is named and issued by QUALITEL Formation, a Qualiopi-certified body.
Who decides whether my hours are admissible?
GBCI, which administers the WELL AP credential. We provide the certificate and the programme; admissibility toward your maintenance rests with GBCI.
Can the training be funded?
The training is delivered with QUALITEL Formation, a Qualiopi-certified body, and may be funded by a French skills operator (OPCO). The steps are set out on the funding page.
Sources
- GBCI and IWBI, WELL AP credential maintenance. support.wellcertified.com. Accessed 10 August 2026.