Masonry Certification

Frequently Asked Questions About the MCAA Certification

By Michael Adelizzi, Executive Director
Mason Contractors Association of America

From the phone calls that I have been fielding lately, our efforts to certify the industry's contractors is a highly welcomed move. Virtually all of the people with whom I've spoken with believe that this program is a strong effort that will ultimately result in the industry's ability to promote quality, while at the same time weeding out those less-than-stellar contractors who have dragged our industry down. Members of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and non-members alike seem eager to start earning their certification.

But there are questions about the specifics of the program. Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions and their answers, which may help you in your efforts toward certification.

Question: Which educational programs count toward my certification?
There are two, mandatory classes that count toward your certification. The Masonry Quality Institute (MQI) is worth 20 points and the Code Seminar is worth 5 points. Beyond these classes, it's up to the contractors to determine their individual core curriculum.

For the remaining certification points necessary, virtually everything else will count: local association educational programs; safety classes, such as the OSHA 10-hour Safety Class; or if the owner participates in MCAA's two-day Foreman Development class, which will count for 20 points. The American Institute of Architects' programs that relate to our industry will count, as well as college courses that have a direct relationship with running a masonry business could potentially count.

Question: Why did you make the MQI program a mandatory program?
MQI educates mason contractors on business relations with our industry's customers. MQI talks about meeting the customer's requirements 100 percent of the time and how to strive for zero punch lists on projects. MQI is the one program that can raise the standard of our industry, which is why we are requiring the course. Also, the customer groups with which we spoke found great interest in the MQI.

Question: When will the MQI program be offered next and where?
By the time this article appears, we will have two programs offered: one in Chicago on May 31 and June 1, and one in New York on June 13 and 14. The fall schedule will be set at a later date. You can visit the MCAA website, located at www.masoncontractors.org, to get updates on future educational program dates and locations.

I urge everyone who is interested in certification to enroll in a program right away to get that requirement completed.

Question: Does the MCAA keep track of my points as I earn them?
No, you will keep your records, but make sure that you have verifiable proof that you took each class. Once you believe that you have achieved the minimum requirements to take the exam, you then will submit documentation with your exam application. Once this information is verified, you will be allowed to take the certification exam.

Question: I heard that you will "grandfather" credits toward some of the education that I already have taken. What will count and how far back will you go?
Yes, we will accept educational programs that you already have completed, although it hasn't been determined how far back yet. I'd suggest that you do inventory of the classes and events you have attended and group those classes by year, going back at least five years. You may be further toward your certification than you think.

Once the committee decides on the cut-off date for past classes, you will be able to determine how many more credits you will need.

Question: 200 credits is a lot to accumulate just to be able to take the exam. Why so high?
In order for the MCAA to get architects, specifiers and owners — AIA, CSI, the federal government, private sector interests, etc. — to specify the use of a certified mason contractor, the program has to be credible. This program and the steps that you will be taking to achieve certification will be our strongest marketing tool to get buy-in from our customers.

Also, as stated in the last answer, mason contractors who have participated in classes throughout the years most likely already have quite a few of the points accumulated toward their certification. MCAA membership alone is 10 points right there!

Question: Did MCAA just do this to make money?
Absolutely not. If we made everyone become a member, maybe I'd understand that concern; however, you don't have to be an MCAA member, and we only are mandating one program — MQI — that MCAA conducts. Everything else can be obtained at the local level. I suppose that maybe local chapters will make money by providing educational classes, but certainly not the national.

Question: How can I be sure what programs will count?
As members, we will guide you through the process. Submit a list of the educational programs you have taken and we will be glad to review your educational credits, giving you our interpretation of how many of your educational credits will count.

Question: I hate tests. It's been 20 years since I took a test. What if I don't pass?
The exam will be open book. That does not mean that the exam will be easy — quite the opposite. But if you go through the educational programs, understand the material, such as the masonry code, and know where to find the answers, you will do fine.

Not everyone will pass the first time. If you don't pass, keep working. If you are dedicated, you eventually will pass. Besides, we won't be publishing the list of people who don't pass, only those that do, so keep trying. Your name eventually will appear on the passed list.

Question: Where will the test be offered and how often?
The certification exam will be administered annually, once in Chicago and once at the MCAA convention. In addition, MCAA will offer the exam in areas throughout the country, based on demand.

Question: Why are you requiring all of my forepersons to take educational classes in order for me to be eligible to take the exam?
The committee felt that the success of a contractor and his or her ability to perform quality work relies heavily on educated supervisory personnel. Also, customers with whom we have spoken show a strong interest in requiring forepersons to gain a minimum level of education. In fact, we actually looked at requiring 60 percent of each contractor's personnel needing to achieve 15 credits, but members felt it would be too difficult to achieve. In response, they suggested that 100 percent of supervisory personnel was reasonable.

Question: My foreperson went through a formal apprentice training class. Will that count toward their 15 educational credits?
No. The committee believes that the supervisory personnel training should go directly to the heart of being an effective foreperson and superintendent. The committee is looking for education beyond the basics. The committee also determined that 15 hours is a reasonable level of supervisory training.

Question: Can I lose my certification?
Yes, although the mechanism by which a contractor can lose his or her certification has yet to be determined.

Again, this goes to the heart of our customers' comfort levels. If they specify a certified mason contractor, they should have some reasonable assurance that they will get a quality project.

The question is: What happens if they get a very poor performance, and that level of poor performance is habitual? The certification seal will become a brand that we must stand behind. Without doubt, if someone abuses it, they will lose their right to use the brand. The only thing to be determined is how and when that will happen.

Question: How do I keep my certification? Will I have to take another test?
Once you achieve certification, you will have to reapply every three years, tying into the code cycle. Recertification will require proof of 75 additional educational credits during that three-year period, but it will not require another exam.

Question: My father is phasing out of the company and I will be taking over in the next few years. Can I be the one to become certified?
That's a very good question. My guess is that the committee will look favorably on this type of situation. I suggest submitting a written request to get an interpretation from the committee.

As an association, we believe that the quality-conscious contractors will ultimately become certified. It is those same contractors who have spent the time and resources to provide training and education to their employees and who care about the future of the industry. It's those same contractors who are forced to compete with inferior contractors who continue to drag our industry down through poor performance and poor quality construction.

Our members believe that it is time to do things differently and to work toward new results. That new result is a strong national certification program that is fair, achievable and affordable. The key is to get started.

Sit down and do an inventory of all of the educational programs that you have completed during the past five years. You may be closer to earning those 200 credits than you think.

Finally, if I didn't answer your questions in this article, call me at the MCAA office, (800) 536-2225, and I'll do my best to address your concerns.