MCPPO Designation

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 or Associate MCPPO Designation. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will no longer charge the $100 processing fee for these applications.

Earning the designation is a sound investment. We welcome employees of public organizations, private firms, not-for-profits and members of the public to attend our classes. Although our classes focus on Massachusetts' public procurement laws, policies and best practices, many classes provide content that applies to any procurement activity. We no longer require an education component or Massachusetts public procurement experience for eligibility.

We no longer offer designations related to supplies and services and design and construction. 

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Updated Information About MCPPO Designation Applications and Renewals

The OIG is pleased to announce significant changes to our MCPPO Designation application and renewal process. 

The OIG is looking for ways to expand educational offerings and participation in our courses by, among a host of things, reducing financial barriers facing individuals and communities. To promote good government and best practices in public procurement, the Inspector General seeks to ensure that every community in the Commonwealth has at least one public employee with a current MCPPO Designation. 

As part of a pilot program to make MCPPO Designations more affordable and accessible, the OIG is waiving the $100 fee associated with all Designation applications and renewals. The OIG appreciates Governor Healey, Senate President Spilka, House Speaker Mariano and members of the legislature for their support of our efforts to expand access to public procurement training.   

In addition, please note the following changes to the MCCPO Designation application and renewal process:   

  • Applicants for the MCPPO Designation or renewal must do so using our online portal. The online portal is the most efficient way to protect your personal information while processing your application. 
  • The OIG is not able to accept designation applications or renewals by mail, email or fax. If you send a designation application or renewal form using one of these methods, we will unfortunately be forced to return it to you and remind you to submit the information through the online portal. 

If you have any questions, please contact the OIG training team at MA-IGO-TRAINING@mass.gov.

In addition, One Free Designee is a pilot program offered by the 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, the OIG is offering each municipality free tuition for the three classes required for one employee to receive the MCPPO Designation. We recognize that the nearly $2,000 cost of the training can create a barrier to obtaining the designation.

To receive the free training for an employee, the chief municipal officer (Mayor, Manager/Administrator or Select Board Chair) must complete the One Free Designee 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.

MCPPO Designation Requirements

Once you complete all required classes, to receive the Designation you must submit an application.

MCPPO:

Associate MCPPO:

The Designation application requires relevant work history information and completion of the CORI Acknowledgement Form. You must also include 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.

* “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. For example, it can be as an owner’s project manager, clerk of the works, architect, or procurement consultant. It must be a job that involves procurement-related tasks.

Additional Resources

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.

We are here to help you with your professional development.

Contact us at MA-IGO-TRAINING@mass.gov, and we will have one our staff arrange a virtual meeting with you.

Compliance Audit

The OIG reserves the right to verify, through a compliance audit or request, any information provided to the office through the designation application process. If you are chosen for a compliance audit, you will be notified by the OIG Academy and be provided with instructions about what information we are seeking and your options for providing this information. 

You will be given 90 days to provide the information. If you are unable to provide the requested information or are found to have made a false certification on your application, this may lead to the suspension or revocation of your designation.

Contact   for MCPPO Designation

Date published: December 1, 2022
Last updated: October 4, 2023

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