Five learning essentials from Master Code Professionals

The Master Code Professional (MCP) is the highest level of designation the International Code Council offers and is the “gold standard” for demonstrating proficiency in the code profession. The Code Council has certified thousands of individuals, but only a small select number have attained this high level of achievement: just over 800 MCP professionals worldwide. Their achievements are a benefit to the code enforcement profession as well as their communities.

Two of the Code Council’s amazing MCPs — David Naples and Clem Malot — took out some time to share their expertise and advice for anyone looking towards a road of new (or additional) certifications.

1. Certifications matter — Don’t view your certification as just another to-do list item. It can help you further your career. As Clem told us, “When I’m looking at someone’s credentials, ICC certifications are one of the things at the top of my list.”
2. Go with what you know — One of the most common things we hear from our MCPs is that it’s best to start your certification journey with something you know and know well. You can build on top of that as you grow in your career.
3. Open book doesn’t mean only book — Your experience in your field is a powerful tool to help prepare. Don’t feel like you are “starting over” when studying. Use studying to refresh and refine what you do every day.
4. Plan ahead — Don’t think just because you can bring a book doesn’t mean you shouldn’t study. Preparing for the test ahead of time is essential. Many of our MCPs talked about how they used ICC learning courses as a way to study. Check out our Learning Center page for courses.
5. Learning is lifelong — No matter how much you have learned, you should never stop growing. Between continuing education and expanding your horizons, it’s important to approach your field with a sense that there’s always more to learn. David told us even as an MCP he still has more to learn. “You should set your MCP as a goal, but you should remember it as a milestone.”

There you have it! Five tips from a couple of our most-experienced Master Code Professionals to help you prepare for upcoming certifications, or inspire you to look for new areas.

To obtain this level of certification requires and demonstrates commitment to the profession, diverse knowledge of codes and a high level of self-initiative. To earn the Code Council’s elite MCP designation, a candidate must first pass 10 core Code Council exams plus a number of elective Code Council exams. Typical Master Code Professionals hold 17 or more Code Council certifications. The Master Code Professional designation requires certified individuals to complete an additional 60 hours of Continuing Education Units every three years to maintain active status.

Master Code Professionals are typically responsible for all technical and management aspects of code enforcement with duties that range from the management of a code enforcement department to the supervision of inspectors and plan reviewers. To learn more on how you can join this elite group and let us help you open the door to increased professional challenges and career advancement, click here.