MASONRY CERTIFICATION

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has developed the national Masonry Certification program to provide customers with a tool to assist with selecting mason contractors who are committed to quality.

WHY BECOME CERTIFIED?

Mason contractors that earn their certification will immediately be able to display the certification seal which represents an expertise in the masonry field and gives you and your firm an advantage in marketing to clients and potential customers.

Without certification, construction customers do not have an objective measurable method for determining a contractor's quality. Currently, the only basis for selection is through comparing bids and choosing the lowest. Certification provides customers an objective basis to select and specify a quality contractor and allows our industry to promote and provide a tool to measure quality to the design community and masonry customers.

WHO WILL BE CERTIFIED?

The Masonry Certfication program will certify the company. However, the primary individual in charge of day-to-day masonry operations such as an owner, CEO or senior management, will be responsible for earning credits and will take the certification exam. Please carefully consider this decision; if the primary leaves the company, the company will lose its current progress towards certification.

Once the requirements have been met, the primary will be eligible to take the certification exam that will measure their command of running a quality masonry firm.

CERTIFICATION FEES

The initial fee for certification is $600.00 for members / $850.00 for non-members. The fee includes all tracking services and exam fee (up to three exams).

The renewal fee is $500.00 every three years.

HOW TO EARN CREDITS

Once registered for Masonry Certification, the MCAA will send you a username and password that will allow access to the certification database. The database will track your progress to certification and will keep you informed of what credits are needed.

75.00 continuing education credits must be earned by the the primary individual in charge of day-to-day masonry operations such as an owner, CEO or senior management. Please carefully consider this decision; if the primary leaves the company, the company will lose its current progress towards certification.

Any classes related to the business of a mason contractor (with the exception of formal apprenticeship training programs that teach the craft) are eligible for credit.

One hour of course time is equal to one credit. Therefore, an eight hour course would be worth 8.00 credits. A thirty-minute course would be worth 0.50 credits.

Credits will be earned in the following six disciplines:

  • Quality Assurance Best Practices (16.00)
  • Codes and Standards (10.00)*
  • Ethics and Business Practices (10.00)
  • Safety (10.00)**
  • Bidding Practices (5.00)
  • Masonry Products (5.00)

* One of these courses must be at least four hours in length and specifically address Codes and Standards.

** A comprehensive safety course is required, such as the OSHA 10-hour Training Course.

The remaining 19.00 credits can be obtained in the six disciplines divided anyway the contractor chooses.

Credits may be self reported; however, detailed documentation of the courses taken and MCAA approval after the course has been taken are required. Courses taken outside of approved courses may not be approved for credit.

The MCAA website will list all approved provider class offerings with full details on the class, day and time. A list of approved classes will also be printed in each issue of Masonry magazine.

100% of the masonry firm's supervisors must attain at least 15.00 continuing education credits in any discipline in order to qualify to sit for the exam.

Once the primary and supervisor have attained the appropriate credits, the primary may take the certification exam.

HOW IS A SUPERVISOR DEFINED?

A supervisor is anyone working in the field that manages others in the field, such as a foreman or project manager.

All supervisors must be listed. If you do not list all supervisors for your company you risk losing your certification status. All supervisors must be listed and each must earn 15.00 credits in any discipline.

THE GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

The MCAA will grandfather education courses taken for both the primary and supervisors. Credits may be submitted for courses taken up to five years ago. Documentation proving the courses were taken such as a certificate of completion, proof of payment for a course, and a description of the course will be required.

CERTIFICATION EXAM

Once the primary and supervisor have attained the appropriate credits, the primary may take the certification exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and is an open book test. Questions are categorized by discipline:

  • Bidding Practices (10 questions)
  • Codes and Standards (27 questions)
  • Ethics and Business Practice (16 questions)
  • Masonry Products (12 questions)
  • Quality Assurance Best Practices (18 questions)
  • Safety (17 questions)

In order to pass the exam and become certified, the mason contractor must receive a score of 80% or better. If you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, you will be allowed to retake it at a future date.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

A list of recommended materials to bring to the exam will be provided when the primary is ready to sit for the exam. They include:

MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION

Certification must be renewed every three years. The primary in the firm must have a total of 45.00 continuing education credits within the three year period. Supervisors in the firm must have an additional 15.00 credits during the same three year period.

CERTIFICATION REVOCATION

Certification may be revoked in certain cases, including if contractors do not maintain the required level of quality expected from a certified mason contractor.

RENEWAL FEES

The renewal fee is $500.00 every three years.

Once the renewal fee is paid and hours verified, the certification will renew. You are not required to retake the exam.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

For more information regarding Masonry Certification, please contact the Mason Contractors Association of America at 800-536-2225

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