MCPPO Designation Requirements
MCPPO
- Successful completion of Public Contracting Overview, Design and Construction Contracting and Supplies and Services Contracting within three years. Each class concludes with an exam.
- Three or more years of procurement-related experience. *
Associate MCPPO
- Successful completion of Public Contracting Overview, Design and Construction Contracting and Supplies and Services Contracting within three years. Each class concludes with an exam.
- Less than three years of procurement-related experience. * Holders of the Associate designation may request a change to the MCPPO Designation when applying for renewal after reaching three years of experience. After completing all required classes, you must submit an application using our online portal. The OIG is not able to accept designation applications or renewals by mail, email or fax.
*“Procurement-related experience” means buying, soliciting, purchasing, leasing, contracting for or otherwise acquiring supplies, services, real property, or design or construction services. It may also include the disposition of supplies and real property. It also includes all the functions related to any of the above activities, including, but not limited to, preparing solicitations and specifications, preparing and awarding contracts, and all phases of contract administration.
Your professional procurement-related work experience can be in a public, private or not-for-profit setting or in the service of a public entity. It must be a job that involves procurement-related tasks.
How to Apply for Renewal of Your MCPPO or Associate MCPPO Designation
If you are an active designee interested in renewing your MCPPO or Associate MCPPO designation, you must:
- Successfully complete the MCPPO Designation Renewal class 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.
- The only exception is if you are a designee who must convert your current Supplies and Services or Design and Construction designation (now discontinued) to the MCPPO Designation. In this case, you may take the needed core class instead of the renewal class during your next renewal period.
Note that you may not earn continuing education credits by retaking the same class or training multiple times within the same three-year period.
Requirements for Both Designation Applications
- Relevant work history information.
- Completion of the CORI Acknowledgement Form.
- A copy of a government-issued photo identification.
We cannot process incomplete applications. 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. Completing the classes alone does not constitute the award of a Designation.
Fulfilling Continuing Education Credits
You may satisfy the 11 continuing education (CE) credit requirement by successfully completing OIG Academy classes or by taking other procurement-related trainings outside the Academy. When you submit your renewal application, we review whether these credits are appropriate.
To request approval for outside credit to be counted towards the renewal of your MCPPO Designation, please log into your OIG Academy Dashboard, click on Request Credit on the left-hand side, and follow the prompts completing all required fields.
You must submit the following with your application:
- Proof of attendance (transcripts or attendance certificates are acceptable)
- The number of credits earned for any procurement-related training.
- A description of the class, training, or curriculum prepared independently by the training provider.
Not accepted:
- Lists
- Agendas
- Cancelled checks
- Marketing materials
Applications with insufficient supporting documentation will either be subject to processing delays or be rejected.
If the OIG Academy rejects any submitted credits, then you must earn or submit proof of other needed credits within 90 days. Credits will only be granted for classes, training, conferences and meetings that include procurement-related components. Additionally, only procurement-related training content will be accepted for credits. We will award one credit for every 50 minutes of training. We will award partial credits by quarter hour and/or for procurement-related training content.
Professional Organizations
You may earn only two total CE credits for every three-year designation period for one active membership of your choosing in any procurement professional association. Examples include the Massachusetts Association of Public Purchasing Officials (MAPPO), the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), the Massachusetts Facilities Administrators Association (MFAA), or similar professional organizations.
Please submit proof of membership with your renewal application.
Professional Contributions and Education
You can earn MCPPO CE credits by contributing procurement-related articles, work products, or frequently-asked questions (FAQs) for publication in the OIG Bulletin.
You can additionally earn credits for presenting in or for contributing to OIG Academy classes or trainings.
Up to six credits will be granted for any college or graduate school course that includes procurement-related content. For example, if the course devoted one three-hour class to contracting, then you can receive three designation renewal credits. Please provide a course syllabus to support the credits and only submit classes that relate to procurement.
If you have any questions, please contact us at MA-IGO-Training@mass.gov.
Grace Period
If your MCPPO Designation has expired, you have 90 days from the date of expiration to apply for renewal. 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 the exam in each core class:
If you have any questions regarding the grace period policy, please contact the OIG Academy Administrator at MA-IGO-Training@mass.gov.
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 MA-IGO-TRAINING@mass.gov, and we will have one our staff arrange a virtual meeting with you.
Contact for MCPPO Designation Information For New Applicants & Renewals
| Date published: | December 1, 2022 |
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| Last updated: | March 3, 2025 |