Webb Shares Vast Knowledge as Master Code Professional

The International Code Council’s Master Code Professional (MCP) certification represents the highest level of expertise in the code profession. Earning the MCP certification can increase earnings and advance careers. It requires and demonstrates a commitment to the profession, diverse knowledge of codes and a high level of self-initiative.

Achieving the Code Council’s top certification, MCPs provide significant benefits to the code enforcement field and their communities. Typically holding 17 or more Code Council  certifications, MCPs oversee all technical and managerial aspects of code enforcement. Their responsibilities include managing code enforcement departments and supervising inspectors and plan reviewers.

In Episode 61 of the ICC Pulse Podcast, the Code Council dives into the MCP certification, explaining its criteria, significance and the professional growth opportunities it provides. You can listen to the podcast here, or by using the player below.

Last year, Jordan Webb, Chief Building Inspector for the City of McKinney, Texas, joined this exclusive group of MCPs. He obtained his first MCP-qualified certification on July 23, 2019, and received his final MCP qualified certification on February 1, 2024—after four years, six months and nine days.

“Who’s counting?” Webb said.

Paving the Way to a Career in Building Safety

“My father did dirt work for large jobsites all the way down to house pads for new construction,” said Webb. “My parents and grandparents bought houses that we would remodel, and they would also build new houses which exposed me to the construction process from the ground up.”

Webb’s career highlights include becoming the Chief Building Inspector for the City of McKinney, Texas, achieving the Certified Building Official designation and earning the MCP certification. Before this, he served as a deputy sheriff for the Collin County, Texas Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to his professional achievements, Webb is an active member of the North Texas Chapter of the Code Council. This chapter aims to develop, recommend, and promote uniform regulations and legislation related to building code construction, encourage consistency in zoning practices and code interpretation and enhance the professionalism of code officials.

Going for the Gold: The Importance of Mentorship

The MCP certification is viewed as the gold standard of proficiency in the code profession, and Webb credits mentors along the way for helping him achieve this milestone.

“My Assistant Building Official Jackie Buckett and Building Official Suzanne Arnold have been key to mentoring/motivating me to obtain my MCP,” said Webb. “They provided me with the guidance and code books to accomplish this goal.”

Webb said he pursued the MCP because he wanted to know as much about the Code Council’s International Codes® (I-Codes) as possible.

“This not only helped me with my inspection process but gave me additional tools to better mentor my team and educate future building inspectors,” he said.

As a visual thinker, Webb created a “goal folder” that contained a list of exams needed to obtain the MCP, a timeline of when he wanted to complete the exams and a note section to jot down areas that he wanted to study further.

He said the main benefit of earning the MCP is the vast amount of knowledge obtained during the study process.

“Not only with I-Codes, but the MCP process requires you to learn management styles, legal aspects of this profession and the psychology of interacting with different personality types while inspecting,” said Webb. “I have been able to better mentor my team and tutor them while they are studying to take Code Council exams.”

Tips for Emerging Building Safety Professionals

Webb emphasized three tips for professionals entering the building safety industry:

• Study and know the I-Codes: Try not to get overwhelmed by the vast amount of information within the code books. Take it slow and focus on one book at a time and you’ll be knowledgeable before you know it
• Obtain Code Council certifications pertaining to your field of expertise: These are critical and show others that you are knowledgeable within your career
• Stay on top of the current products entering the construction market and make sure they are tested to the standards allowed within the code 

Click here to learn more about the Master Code Professional certification. Listen to Episode 61 of the ICC Pulse Podcast, here.