MCPPO Designation
What designations and certifications does the OIG Academy offer?
The OIG Academy offers the MCPPO designation, Associate MCPPO designation, and the School Project Designer & Owner’s Project Manager Certification (required by MSBA regulations).
To obtain an MCPPO Designation, you must successfully complete three core classes: Public Contracting Overview, Supplies and Services Contracting, and Design and Construction Contracting. In addition, MCPPO designations have experience requirements. For Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) assisted projects, Massachusetts regulations require certain individuals to earn this Designer/OPM certification by completing the School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers Certification class. Every three years, this certification must be renewed.
Besides the MSBA, other agencies and jurisdictions require the designers and/or OPMs they employ to obtain this certification. All designers and OPMs working on public construction projects in the Commonwealth are also encouraged to earn the certification and the MCPPO Designation if their project responsibilities include using Chapter 30B.
To assist in earning the designation, we will apply the Designer/OPM certification towards the requirements needed to earn the MCPPO Designation. Instead of needing to take all three classes, designers and OPMs can opt out of our Public Contracting Overview class and just take the Supplies and Services Contracting and Design and Construction Contracting classes to earn their designation within the three-year period after earning their certification.
Why should I obtain an MCPPO Designation?
Local jurisdictions in Massachusetts widely recognize the MCPPO Designation as an indication that you are familiar with Massachusetts procurement law and best practices. Municipal job postings often require MCPPO Designation. Recipients of an MCPPO Designation have successfully passed three examinations, completed at least 60 hours of professional training, met experience requirements, complied with continuing education requirements, and received a CORI (criminal record) check.
How long is an MCPPO designation valid?
The designation is valid for three years, and you must renew it every three years from the date of issue.
What are the different MCPPO designations?
The OIG Academy offers two designations: MCPPO and Associate MCPPO.
How do I apply for and obtain an MCPPO designation?
The MCPPO designations are available to individuals who have successfully completed the required classes and have met certain experience requirements.
After you complete the required classes, submit the online application form.
Do I have to submit a designation application if I am interested in changing my current designation?
No. Associate MCPPO designees may request a change to an MCPPO Designation at no charge when they obtain more than three years of procurement-related experience. However, this will not change the original three-year renewal period for the designation. Please email us at MA-IGO-TRAINING@mass.gov to request this change. You do not need to complete the designation application.
If I am connected to a charter school, what do I need to do to earn the MCPPO Designation?
In order to earn the MCPPO Designation, all interested charter school employees will follow the learning path supported by the OIG Academy. Please see the MCPPO Designation Information for New Applicants & Renewals page to learn more.
What is One Free Designee and how do I participate?
One Free Designee is a pilot program offered by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that provides core public procurement training to one public employee per municipality at no cost. To promote good government and best practices in public procurement, the Inspector General wants to increase the number of public employees with a current MCPPO designation. Effective in FY24 through June of 2025, the OIG is offering each municipality free tuition for the three classes required for one employee to receive the MCPPO designation.
To receive the free training for an employee, the chief municipal officer (Mayor, Manager/Administrator, or Select Board Chair) must complete our online form indicating the employee they wish to receive the training and acknowledge that the cost of the training is a barrier to obtaining the designation. The OIG is offering this pilot program based upon additional funding from the Legislature.
Can school department or housing authority employees participate?
Participation in the program is determined by the municipal leader, i.e., the mayor, city or town manager, town administrator, or select board chair. In this way, the community leader can decide where enhanced procurement expertise would best serve the community.
I just obtained my MCPPO Designation. Can I get a refund?
This pilot program is partially funded for FY24 and therefore refunds for courses taken earlier cannot be issued.
OIG Academy electives and training webinar credits can be used towards your continuing education credits for designation.
Additional Resources
MCPPO Designation Renewal
My MCPPO Designation has lapsed. What can I do to renew my designation?
If your MCPPO Designation has lapsed, a grace period of up to 90 days may be granted upon request for application filing and/or meeting renewal requirements. If the grace period has also lapsed, then you must complete our three core classes again: Public Contracting Overview, Design and Construction Contracting, and Supplies and Services Contracting. If you have a reasonable explanation for this lapse beyond the grace period, then you may submit a written appeal outlining this explanation to the program administrator at MA-IGO-TRAINING@mass.gov.
How many credits are required for designation renewal?
Twenty-five credits are required for MCPPO Designation renewal. This includes taking the MCPPO Designation Renewal class for 14 credits and earning an additional 11 credits within the designation cycle. You may only take the MCPPO Designation Renewal class within 18 months before your designation expires.
| Required credits for regular MCPPO Designation renewal | |
|---|---|
| Take core class | Not needed |
| Renewal class | 14 credits |
| Other credits | 11 credits |
Which classes do I need to take for MCPPO designation renewal?
All designees due to renew are required to successfully complete the MCPPO Designation Renewal class. An exam will be included. You will earn 14 credits for the successful completion of this class. You must also earn an additional 11 continuing education credits for a total of 25 credits during the designation cycle.
May I take outside classes for designation renewal credit?
Yes. In addition to the required MCPPO Designation Renewal class, you may obtain continuing education credits through other procurement-related professional trainings. The MCPPO Designation page provides examples of trainings that will qualify towards designation renewal.
I took a class two years before my MCPPO designation needed to be renewed. How long will those credits be valid towards MCPPO designation renewal?
The credits are valid for three years. Any valid procurement-related credits you earn during your three-year designation cycle would be valid towards your renewal requirements. All OIG Academy credits are valid.
Will I automatically be notified when I am due for renewal?
You may send us an email request for your designation status at MA-IGO-TRAINING@mass.gov. You are ultimately responsible for tracking designation expiration and meeting renewal requirements. As a best practice, we recommend that you add a calendar reminder for yourself about six months before your designation expires to help ensure that you have time to earn any continuing education credits you may need.
Once I have submitted my application for MCPPO designation or designation renewal, how long does it take to be processed?
If you provide all required information with your MCPPO Designation or renewal application, promptly pay the processing fee, and clear the CORI criminal record background check, you should receive your renewal within 90 days.
Additional Resources
Designers and OPMs
I am an Owner's Project Manager for construction projects. Am I required to earn a certification through the OIG Academy?
Yes, according to MSBA regulations it is legally required if you plan to work on a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funded school building project or if it is required by another agency or jurisdiction to work on a public building project. The OIG Academy offers this specific training several times per year.
I am a Designer. Am I required to earn a certification through the OIG Academy?
Yes, it is legally required by MSBA regulations if you plan to work on a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funded school building project or if it is required by another agency or jurisdiction to work on a public building project. The OIG Academy offers this specific training several times per year.
I am a designer or OPM working on public projects. Am I required to earn the MCPPO Designation?
No. There is no requirement to earn an MCPPO Designation. However, municipal job postings often require this designation. MSBA regulations require that you receive a certification from our office. However, we strongly encourage any official working on public projects or contracts to earn a designation in addition to the certification to ensure that you are familiar with Massachusetts procurement law and best practices.
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| Last updated: | December 11, 2024 |
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