Masonry Magazine May 2007 Page. 22
MASONRY CERTIFICATION
exam, you then will submit documentation with your exam application. Once this information is verified, you will be allowed to take the certification exam.
Question: I heard that you will "grandfather" credits toward some of the education that I already have taken. What will count and how far back will you go?
Yes, we will accept educational programs that you already have completed, although it hasn't been determined how far back yet. I'd suggest that you do inventory of the classes and events you have attended and group those classes by year, going back at least five years. You may be further toward your certification than you think.
Once the committee decides on the cut-off date for past classes, you will be able to determine how many more credits you will need.
Question: 200 credits is a lot to accumulate just to be able to take the exam. Why so high?
In order for the MCAA to get architects, specifiers and owners-AIA, CSI, the federal government, private sector interests, etc. to specify the use of a certified mason contractor, the program has to be credible. This program and the steps that you will be taking to achieve certification will be our strongest marketing tool to get buy-in from our customers.
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This program and the steps that you be taking to achieve certification will be our strongest marketing tool to buy-in from our customers.
Also, as stated in the last answer, mason contractors who have participated in classes throughout the years most likely already have quite a few of the points accumulated toward their certification. MCAA membership alone is 10 points right there!
Question: Did MCAA just do this to make money?
Absolutely not. If we made everyone become a member, maybe I'd understand that concern; however, you don't have to be an MCAA member, and we only are mandating one program-MQI-that MCAA conducts. Everything else can be obtained at the local level. I suppose that maybe local chapters will make money by providing educational classes, but certainly not the national.
Question: How can I be sure what programs will count?
As members, we will guide you through the process. Submit a list of the educational programs you have taken and we will be glad to review your educational credits, giving you our interpretation of how many of your educational credits will count.
Question: I hate tests. It's been 20 years since I took a test. What if I don't pass?
The exam will be open book. That does not mean that the exam will be easy-quite the opposite. But if you go through the educational programs, understand the material, such as the masonry code, and know where to find the answers, you will do fine.
Not everyone will pass the first time. If you don't pass, keep working. If you are dedicated, you eventually will pass. Besides we won't be publishing the list of people who don't pass, only those that do, so keep trying. Your name eventually will appear on the passed list.
Question: Where will the test be offered and hov often?
The certification exam will be administered annually, once in Chicago and once at the MCAA convention. In addition MCAA will offer the exam in areas throughout the country based on demand.
20 Masonry
May 2007
www.masoncontractors.or