MCPPO Designation Information for New Applicants & Renewals

The MCPPO (Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official) Designation is widely recognized as an indication of an individual’s knowledge of Massachusetts procurement laws and best practices. In fact, municipal job postings often require an MCPPO Designation.

If you meet the requirements, you can apply for an MCPPO Designation. Earning the designation is a sound investment. We welcome employees of public organizations, private firms, non-profits, and members of the public to attend our classes.

View FAQs about the MCPPO Designation and renewing your designation  Access the OIG Academy dashboard to register for required classes  View OIG Academy registration system FAQs 

MCPPO Designation Requirements

• Successful completion of Public Contracting Overview, Design and Construction Contracting and Supplies and Services Contracting within three years. Each class concludes with an exam.

An MCPPO Designation is valid for three years from the date of issue. MCPPO designees must maintain their knowledge and skills and document continuing professional education when they apply to renew their designation every three years.

MCPPO Renewal Requirements

If you are an active designee interested in renewing your MCPPO Designation, you must:

• Successfully complete the MCPPO Designation Renewal class (14 credits) within the 18-month period before your designation expires. You may not retake a core class in place of the renewal class.
• Earn an additional 11 continuing education (CE) credits before the expiration of your designation, which is three years from the date of issue.

How to Apply for or Renew Your MCPPO Designation

You can apply for or renew your MCPPO Designation by registering for the free, non-credit MCPPO Designation course through the OIG Academy dashboard.

1. Search for MCPPO in the course catalog and select "MCPPO Designation Course."
2. Follow the steps to register for the MCPPO Designation course.
3. The MCPPO Designation course will be added to your courses. Open the course and follow the steps outlined to submit your application. 

Continuing Education Credit Parameters for MCPPO Designation Renewal

Applicants for the MCPPO Designation renewal earn fourteen (14) OIG Academy credits once they have completed the MCPPO Designation renewal course. Applicants are also required to earn an additional eleven (11) continuing education (CE) credits, which can be acquired by successfully completing OIG Academy classes or by taking other procurement-related training outside of the Academy.

Applicants who wish to submit continuing education credits earned outside of the OIG Academy must provide evidence of the learning opportunity. These credits must be procurement related and approved by the OIG Academy staff upon submission.

Students are awarded one credit for every 50 minutes of procurement-related training. Partial credit can be awarded for quarter hours of training as well.

Students may earn credits in four ways:

1. Training or courses.
2. Active membership in any procurement professional association.
3. Professional contributions and education.
4. Procurement professionals who train others in procurement-related topics.

For credits related to a training/course, students must submit evidence of the learning that includes all of the following:

1. Proof of attendance (transcripts or attendance certificates).
2. A title of the learning opportunity.
3. The names and titles of the instructor or presenter.
4. A brief description of the learning opportunity prepared by the instructor or presenter that directly corresponds with procurement-related learning.
5. If applicable, credits awarded by an accredited institution or organization.

Often, professional organizations will provide individuals with meeting agendas that include a training with the information listed above that has been pre-approved by the OIG Academy in advance. These are acceptable forms of evidence of procurement-related education.

For credit related to membership in professional organizations, students must submit proof of membership (a letter or email confirmation of membership). Students may earn two (2) CE credits for every three-year designation period for one active membership of your choice that is valid during the designation period. Examples include the Massachusetts Association of Public Purchasing Officials (MAPPO), the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), the Massachusetts Facilities Administrators Association (MFAA), Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts (STAM), or similar professional organizations.

You may earn credits for presenting in or for contributing to OIG Academy classes or training. You may also earn credit as a procurement professional training others on best practices in procurement. Please contact the OIG Academy in advance to assess credit.

Up to six (6) credits will be granted for any college or graduate school course that includes procurement-related content. Each hour of education is worth one credit. Please provide a course syllabus to support the credits and only submit classes that relate to procurement.

Please note:

• We cannot accept any other submission that does not fall under those listed above. We do not accept lists, agendas, meeting minutes, cancelled checks, or marketing materials as evidence of procurement-related education.
• You may not earn continuing education credit by retaking the same class or training multiple times within the same three-year period.
• Applications with insufficient supporting documentation will either be subject to processing delays or be rejected.

To submit outside continuing education (CE) credit, please proceed to the OIG Academy dashboard. All OIG Academy credits are automatically applied to your transcript.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [e-mail].

Grace Period

If your MCPPO Designation has expired, you have 90 days from the date of expiration to complete your renewal requirements and submit your application. Your approved renewal will begin from the date of your expired designation. If your designation has expired, and it is beyond the 90-day grace period, then you must retake and pass each of the MCPPO Designation required courses.

• Public Contracting Overview
• Design and Construction Contracting
• Supplies and Services Contracting

If you have any questions regarding the grace period policy, please contact the OIG Academy Administrator at [e-mail].

OIG Academy Advising Services

We offer advising services for our OIG Academy participants. 

The OIG Academy advising services can help active and potential OIG Academy participants choose their classes and navigate the designation application and renewal requirements. Our advisors can also assist with choosing which OIG Academy educational path to take. We also offer strategies for remaining in good standing with a designation or certification.

Contact us at [e-mail], and we will have one our staff arrange a virtual meeting with you.

Date published:	December 1, 2022
Last updated:	January 26, 2026