Masters of Code: Eric Kranda 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. Eric Kranda is the latest to join the elite group of Master Code Professionals. In this exclusive feature for the Building Safety Journal, we asked Eric to share his experience on obtaining the MCP designation, highlights of his professional career and any insights or advice he has concerning the industry.

Eric Kranda
Building Inspector
City of Long Beach
Long Beach, California, United States
International Code Council member for four years

BSJ: What led you to pursue and obtain MCP certification?
Kranda: I was a general contractor for 30 years and retired to become a building inspector. I found the test material was concurrent with my building experience and was able to pass the curriculum. It gave me a stamp of approval to validate my experience.

BSJ: How did you study and prepare for the many exams you took as a part of your MCP designation?
Kranda: I began with a school on some of the early ones which addressed how to study the codes for the test. Thereafter, I was able to implement that into each code.

BSJ: What does achieving the prestigious MCP status mean to you?
Kranda: The MCP is the crowning achievement of my career in the building industry.

BSJ: How would you describe the value or benefits that have come with the recognition of your MCP status?
Kranda: It has given me a stamp of approval in my discussions with staff, contractors, and owners.

BSJ: What advice would you offer to those who are considering pursuing an MCP designation?
Kranda: It is a hard and arduous road. Take it seriously, spend the time to study, do the pretests through ICC, and prepare. Do take these things for granted. Go through the test once with what you know and review questions after which require you to look up in the code. Above all, if you have time, go through each question one more time because you may have missed simple wording that changed the correct answer.

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Kranda: 30 years

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Kranda: Over my time in the industry, the methods and materials of construction have dramatically changed. The overall construction has become stronger due to California earthquakes but the materials have a wider selection from which to choose from.

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Kranda: Sustainability construction methods, recycled materials, and improved energy use reduction.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Kranda: Pay attention. There is a lack of competent people in the field that study, work out details, or even ask questions. Too many people just do what they have been doing for years and they are not complying with code.

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?
Kranda: The most important thing that we as code professionals can do is make the dwellings that people live and work in safe. ICC has provided me with the tools that enable me to walk onto a job site and see minimum health and safety issues that contractors and owners may miss. When I explain the reasons for such codes people understand what’s at stake.

BSJ: Obtaining all those ICC certifications is quite an accomplishment. What are you going to do now that you have achieved this goal?
Kranda: I’m going to keep up on current code changes and investigate new construction methods and materials that are entering the industry. It is a constant

BSJ: Thank you, Eric, 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 Eric 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.