Masters of Code: Melvin Corredor achieves the gold standard of code certification

It’s considered the Ph.D. of building safety codes certification. The Master Code Professional (MCP) is the highest level of designation the International Code Council offers and is the “gold standard” for demonstrating proficiency in the code profession. The Code Council has certified thousands of individuals, but only a small select number have attained this high level of achievement: just over 800 MCP professionals worldwide. Their achievements are a benefit to the code enforcement profession as well as their communities.

To obtain this level of certification requires and demonstrates a commitment to the profession, diverse knowledge of codes and a high level of self-initiative. Chief Plans Examiner Melvin Corredor, Village of Wellington, Florida, is the latest to join the elite group of Master Code Professionals. In this exclusive feature for the Building Safety Journal, we asked Melvin to share his experience on obtaining the MCP designation, highlights of his professional career and any insights or advice he has concerning the industry.

Melvin Corredor
Chief Plans Examiner
Building Department
Wellington, Florida, United States
International Code Council member for five years
Palm Beach County

BSJ: What led you to pursue and obtain MCP certification?
Corredor: My work mentor, Otto Feliz, had obtained his MCP certification. He constantly encouraged me to strive for the certification. I half-jokingly told him not to worry that I would get it before he retired. When he announced his projected retirement for 2020, I knew he would banter me about my claim to obtain said certification before his departure. This “promise” along with an innate God-given drive to excel propelled me to take the missing exams and obtain the MCP.

BSJ: How did you study and prepare for the many exams you took as a part of your MCP designation?
Corredor: I am a great fan of the available study books and resources offered by ICC. For many of my certification exams, the ICC study resources (including study books and flashcards) were invaluable to obtain the knowledge and speediness to find accurate information.

BSJ: What does achieving the prestigious MCP status mean to you?
Corredor: An accomplished goal; one more method for me to honor God through the talents and gifts He has given me.

BSJ: How would you describe the value or benefits that have come with the recognition of your MCP status?
Corredor: The knowledge is great along with the confidence of having reached this goal.

BSJ: What advice would you offer to those who are considering pursuing an MCP designation?
Corredor: Not to give up. You have to have a plan and a timeline to get it completed. It requires a lot of work and without a clear path, it is easy to lose your way and never actually do it.

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Corredor: Five years.

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Corredor: Don’t believe I have been in this industry long enough to answer this.

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Corredor: There is a lot of opportunity for younger individuals who are entering the field.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Corredor: “Obtain knowledge and gain understanding.”

BSJ: Building safety is the focal point of our mission here at the Code Council. What is the importance of building safety to you? How has ICC helped you in your career and commitment to public safety?
Corredor: Coming from a construction management background, building safety is important to construction. ICC has provided me with additional tools to properly assess means and methods of construction thereby enhancing my knowledge of building safety.

BSJ: Obtaining all those ICC certifications is quite an accomplishment. What are you going to do now that you have achieved this goal?
Corredor: I will pursue the completion of my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Florida.

BSJ: Thank you, Melvin, and congratulations. You have definitely been an encouragement to us all in your pursuit of excellence.

To earn the Code Council’s elite MCP designation, a candidate must first pass 10 core Code Council exams plus a number of elective Code Council exams. Typical Master Code Professionals hold 17 or more Code Council certifications. The Master Code Professional designation requires certified individuals to complete an additional 60 hours of Continuing Education Units every three years to maintain active status.

“The Master Code Professional certification is the pinnacle of all Code Council certifications, representing a level of effort, knowledge, and dedication that elevates not only the individual achieving it but the code official profession as a whole,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO.

Master Code Professionals are typically responsible for all technical and management aspects of code enforcement with duties that range from the management of a code enforcement department to the supervision of inspectors and plan reviewers.

“Congratulations to Melvin on achieving this important and significant accomplishment,” said Autumn Saylor, program services manager of the Code Council’s Assessment Center. “I challenge and encourage all code professionals to strive for this level of achievement, and look forward to congratulating more Master Code Professionals in the future.”

To learn more on how you can join this elite group and let us help you open the door to increased professional challenges and career advancement, click here.