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

Katie Werts
Residential/Commercial Inspector
Planning & Development
Newberry, South Carolina, United States
International Code Council member for three years
BOASC

BSJ: What led you to pursue and obtain MCP certification?
Werts: I started out as the permit technician for the City. I had never thought about being an inspector but listening to contractors and the City inspectors I started picking things up about the codes. Once I decided to become an inspector, I knew I was going to go for it all. Every inspector at the City has become a Master Code Professional and I wasn’t going to be the first to not have this certification.

BSJ: How did you study and prepare for the many exams you took as a part of your MCP designation?
Werts: I attended classes and studied a lot. I also took multiple quizzes along the way to help me see what parts of the code I needed to improve on.

BSJ: What does achieving the prestigious MCP status mean to you?
Werts: Achieving the Master Code Professional certification was a lot of hard work and many hours of studying, but it was well worth it. I consider it a huge honor to be a part of such an elite group of building safety professionals who are all working hard to serve and protect the public.

BSJ: How would you describe the value or benefits that have come with the recognition of your MCP status?
Werts: It is truly an honor because it puts me with a group of some of the most elite professionals in my state. MCPs are truly the best of the best in our profession.

BSJ: What advice would you offer to those who are considering pursuing an MCP designation?
Werts: Go for it and never give up! When first starting out to obtain the designation it will seem very overwhelming, but keep striving and working hard and you will get it!

BSJ: How long have you been in the industry?
Werts: 3 years

BSJ: What major changes have you seen?
Werts: With me only being in the profession for 4 years, I haven’t seen a lot of change until the COVID-19 Pandemic. Since the pandemic, I have seen so much more technology being used. From submitting plans to applying for permits to even how we are able to do inspections with virtual options. We are now able to visit a job site remotely!

BSJ: What excites you about the future of your industry?
Werts: Technology! I’m excited to see how technology will enhance the way we can perform inspections. Such as using a drone to do roof inspections or conducting an inspection remotely.

BSJ: What is one piece of advice that you would give to those starting out in the industry?
Werts: Learn all that you can from the code professionals around you! They have so much knowledge to share that they have learned over the years of their career.

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?
Werts: We are the foundation of it all if we do our jobs correctly. We help give the homeowner a house that will stand through the storms and time.

BSJ: Obtaining all those ICC certifications is quite an accomplishment. What are you going to do now that you have achieved this goal?
Werts: Now that I have accomplished my Master Code Professional certification I will continue to study and learn. There is no way you can know all the codes but as my Building Official says you have to know where to find the answer.

BSJ: Thank you, Katie, 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 Katie 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.