Masters of Code: Kevin Davis 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 900 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. Kevin Davis is the latest to join the elite group of Master Code Professionals. In this exclusive feature for the Building Safety Journal, we asked Kevin to share his experience on obtaining the MCP designation, highlights of his professional career and any insights or advice he has concerning the industry.

Kevin Davis
Plans Examiner/Inspector
Planning and Building
Town of Sahuarita, Arizona, United States
International Code Council member for less than one year

BSJ: What led you to pursue and obtain MCP certification?
Davis: In October last year I wanted to pursue a career change and started taking ICC examinations to prepare me for moving into a building safety role such as a building inspector or a plans examiner. As a licensed residential & commercial contractor and draftsperson, I had some familiarity with the IRC code. I enjoyed learning about the codes and attaining the certifications would be advantageous in obtaining a position with a municipality. In preparing for exams I attended ICC’s 2018 Plan Review Institute. One of the Instructors for the course was a Master Code Professional. I was impressed with his teaching ability and I found his story on how he had entered the public workforce interesting. At that point, I had 16 certifications so I did some research on the requirements to become an MCP and set some goals on completing the task of attaining it. Currently, I have 37 ICC certifications including CBO, so I enjoy learning and the sense of achievement that has come from this. The certifications helped me attain my current position as Plans Examiner/ Inspector.

BSJ: How did you study and prepare for the many exams you took as a part of your MCP designation?
Davis: ICC study guides and courses. I also took a course with WC3 which was beneficial.

BSJ: What does achieving the prestigious MCP status mean to you?
Davis: Achieving MCP in just over 10 months was a lot of work and an accomplishment that I am proud of. My peers and management at work are very impressed by this achievement and the time frame in which it was completed. My hope is it will lead to more opportunities in the future.

BSJ: How would you describe the value or benefits that have come with the recognition of your MCP status?
Davis: I see value in the certification and my manager does too. My goal is to become a building official, so the MCP certification in addition to my CBO certification should help me in attaining this goal.

BSJ: What advice would you offer to those who are considering pursuing an MCP designation?
Davis: Go for it!!! It is a great sense of accomplishment personally and one that your peers will look up to for.

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Davis: 1 year

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Davis: I have only been in the building safety industry for a couple of months, so it’s difficult to speak about change within the industry.

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Davis: Innovative building techniques and energy efficiency.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Doe: Keep an open mind, listen and continually educate yourself.

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?
Davis: Keeping people safe in their everyday lives. Prior to taking these courses and achieving MCP, I didn’t realize how much effort went into making buildings, homes, stadiums, hospitals, etc., safe for the public to utilize. Building safety is an undertaking that most people don’t realize could save their lives. ICC helped me open doors to a new career and opened my eyes to the importance of building safety and my commitment to it.

BSJ: Obtaining all those ICC certifications is quite an accomplishment. What are you going to do now that you have achieved this goal?
Davis: Continue attaining more certifications and use them to advance my career.

BSJ: Thank you, Kevin, 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 Kevin 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.