OPMs and School Project Designers Certification Information

The OIG Academy offers owner’s project managers (OPMs) and school project designers a required certification for projects funded by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

The MSBA regulations require that the following individuals obtain either an MCPPO Designation or an OPM/Designer Certification:

• School District Personnel  – MCPPO Designation
• Owner’s Project Manager – OPM/Designer Certification
• School Project Designer    – OPM/Designer Certification

Note: The MCPPO Designation and the Certification for OPMs and School Project Designers are different items. We encourage individuals to earn both, but MSBA regulations only require OPMs and school project designers to earn the certification.

MSBA Regulations: MCPPO Designation Required for School District Personnel

MSBA regulation 963 CMR 2.03(2)(o) requires the eligible applicant (school district personnel) or their designee who will oversee procurement for an MSBA-funded project to be designated by the Office of the Inspector General as an MCPPO. 

To maintain this designation, an individual must reapply every three years after completing the MCPPO Designation Renewal class and earning an additional 11 continuing education credits. 

Learn about the MCPPO designation 

MSBA Regulations: OPM/Designer Certification Required for OPMs and School Project Designers

School project designers and OPMs working for MSBA-funded school projects must submit proof of this certification to the public awarding authority and the MSBA to be eligible for participation on a state-assisted public school construction project.

To earn a certification, both OPMs and designers must attend and successfully complete the School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers Certification class. 

To maintain this certification, designers and OPMs must renew their certification every three years from the date of issuance by successfully completing the School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers Recertification class. OPMs and designers can review the MSBA regulations 963 CMR 2.11(12) and 963 CMR 2.12(6) to learn more about specific requirements.

Certificate-holders may also earn the MCPPO Designation. The designation requires the completion of three core classes including the Public Contracting Overview (PCO) class, Design and Construction Contracting, and Supplies and Services Contracting. The Certification for School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers class may be used to satisfy the PCO class requirement. (However, the PCO class cannot be used to satisfy the Certification for School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers class requirement for MSBA purposes.) Certificate holders who may also earn the MCPPO Designation may use credits earned from the Recertification of School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers class towards their MCPPO designation renewal requirements.     

Both the Certification for School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers [Introductory 24.5 LUs] and Recertification of School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers [Intermediate 6 LUs] classes are eligible for AIA learning units as “electives.”     

The OIG Academy also offers other classes that are eligible for AIA learning units.

Last updated:	January 22, 2025