IWBI’s One WELL: What's Next For WELL Certification

What is One WELL?

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has recently launched a preview of their new platform One WELL, open for public comment until May 1st, 2026. This streamlined experience aims to merge the various WELL certification programs into a single platform. It is described by IWBI as “a unified experience that is simpler to understand, easier to implement and built for scale.” For WELL APs, building owners, and developers, understanding these changes is critical as the standard evolves. 

Currently, the WELL standard consists of several “sub-programs” tailored to different project types and goals. There are also several versions and addenda available that have been released as the standard evolved. A new project may pursue general WELL Certification, a WELL Rating Certification (Health-Safety, Equity, Performance, Coworking), WELL for Residential, WELL Community, or WELL at Scale. 

But with One WELL, these sub-programs will be merged into one platform with a unified framework - where strategies are organized consistently across project types and filters help show which requirements are relevant to each project. 

One WELL vs WELL v2: What's Changed?

Digging into the public comment version of the One WELL platform, we can see some obvious changes. As expected, some of these changes may come with a learning curve, even for experienced WELL professionals.  

1 - A More Intuitive Interface

The platform introduces a cleaner layout with color-coded requirements and improved filtering. This helps clarify which strategies apply to specific project types and reduces ambiguity regarding whether a set of requirements is to be pursued together or separately.

2 - A Dynamic Scorecard

Unlike previous versions that relied on addenda, One WELL is designed to update dynamically. As IWBI releases updates, projects will be able to align with the most current requirements without navigating multiple standard versions. The standard will “grow gradually through continuous enhancements, so your projects always reflect the latest science”, as noted by IWBI in the WELL Forum. 

3 - Clearer, More Universal Language

The updated language is intended to be more direct and standardized, with the goal of making it easier to interpret and adapt across international projects. It is important to note that some strategy language and terminology have changed. For example, Features are now Themes and Feature Parts are now Strategies. And some stringencies, leniencies, and new requirements have been applied.

4 - A New Approach to Scoring

One of the more significant changes is how scoring works. Not only will the certification thresholds be changing, but all Strategies now contribute to point totals, including those that functioned as Preconditions previously. As IWBI notes, “each strategy contributes to progress, meaning every step forward counts.” This shift may alter how teams prioritize their scorecard selections. Additionally, Feature Part numbers/codes that you may have memorized have moved around or have been combined with others (e.g., A02.1 is now A2.1 and is combined with WELL v2’s A02.2). 

These enhancements enable continuous progress, helping you drive more value and derive greater benefit from every step of your WELL journey. - IWBI

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What We Still Don’t Know

As the platform is being refined, there are still some unanswered questions. 

• How will verification methods look for each Strategy? 

• How will the overall review process evolve?

• How will projects transition from current versions to One WELL?

• What is the timeline for sunsetting older programs?

• How will pricing and enrollment structures change?

• What updates, if any, will be made to WELL Online?

These unknowns will likely have a meaningful impact on how teams plan future projects.

Looking Ahead

One WELL is a move toward a more flexible and scalable certification system. While the transition will require some adjustment, the long-term goal seems to be a platform that is easier to navigate and better aligned with evolving health and wellness priorities.

IWBI is actively seeking feedback during this public comment period. You can explore the preview of the standard and join the discussion on the WELL Forum.

Dwell is available as a resource to help teams through these changes. We are committed to staying informed as the standard evolves. With GBCI review experience on over 500 projects, we help anticipate reviewer expectations and help reduce unnecessary comments or re-testing. We’re happy to have a conversation regarding this or any other needs your team may have with services including WELL AP, General Coaching, and Performance Testing support. Visit us as dwellconsultants.com for more info.