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

Joshua Christian
Chief of Operations
CC&I Services, LLC
Roebuck, South Carolina, United States
South Carolina Plumbing Gas Mechanical Inspectors Association Chapter

BSJ: What led you to pursue and obtain MCP certification?
Christian: I consider myself to be an ambitious learner and enjoy code education. My goal once beginning the certification process was to obtain the most prestigious certification available. I believe God placed this in my path so that I could help educate the public and be a part of protecting the buildings our communities live and work within.

BSJ: How did you study and prepare for the many exams you took as a part of your MCP designation?
Christian: I have experienced several different preparation methods with practice exams and ICC online courses but primarily self-studied to learn the individual chapters and important sections relevant to the upcoming exam.

BSJ: What does achieving the prestigious MCP status mean to you?
Christian: It means a great deal. It is important that the MCP designation remains the highest standard within the industry. If anyone could achieve the designation it would lower the value of its recipients.

BSJ: How would you describe the value or benefits that have come with the recognition of your MCP status?
Christian: The prestigious designation is recognized across our industry and immediately gains respect, but most importantly, the benefit was the feeling of self-accomplishment.

BSJ: What advice would you offer to those who are considering pursuing an MCP designation?
Christian: I think it’s important to understand that it is not an easy process but that the journey is well worth it. You will fail and you have to continue to strive for the end goal. Although this is an incredible accomplishment, it does not make you a great inspector. I hope that our peers continue to understand and spend the time in the field to learn how it relates to codes as much as the time we put into our examinations.

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Christian: 10 years.

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Christian: Primarily improvements for sprinkler and fire alarm systems; a specialty of mine is Group E occupancies. Within our schools, I have seen many positive changes in protecting our students.

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Christian: I think the value of inspectors is somewhat overlooked but I believe with the right mindset we can change that stereotype. We have the opportunity to be team players and help the public. It would excite me to see the positive change of how inspectors are viewed.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Christian: Learn from others, don’t be afraid to be wrong or to ask questions, and when given the opportunity, lead by example.

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?
Christian: A friend once told me, ‘We are the first responders before the first responders.’ We have an opportunity to protect the public before they ever enter a building. To me, that is 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?
Christian: Continue to learn and help grow a team in building safety!

BSJ: Thank you, Joshua, 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 Joshua 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 I look forward to congratulating more Master Code Professionals in the future.”

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