After successful completion of MPI Level 3 – Inspector Level, the student will have the opportunity to apply for the Professional Education and Knowledge Appraisal (PEKA) Assessment, which is required to achieve the Master, Paint Quality Assurance specialist accreditation and the use of the designation 'MPI Certified Architectural coatings Inspector'

NOTE:  Only those that successfully complete the full PEKA assessment will be classed as 'MPI Certified Architectural coatings Inspector' and listed on the MPI Certified Architectural Coatings Inspector Page on the MPI website. Anyone not listed has not met the requirements to become an as 'MPI Certified Architectural coatings Inspector'

Prerequisites:  You must pass all of the following courses and meet or exceed all of the required criteria before you can apply for the PEKA Assessment.

• Level 1 – Essentials of Paint and Painting Technology
• Level 2 A – Architectural Painting
• Level 2 B – Maintenance Repainting
• Level 3 – Inspection

Criteria Required: 
All of the following criteria is mandatory to become an MPI Certified Architectural Coatings Inspector:
Professional Experience:

• Minimum of ten years experience and certification in the paint industry
• Equivalent of TQ (Tradesman Qualifications)
• Minimum of Grade 12 education
• Strong computer skills and ease with various computer programs
• Supervisory skills (ability to guide and instruct as well as control situations)

NOTE: You should only apply for the PEKA Assessment if you have passed all of the MPI courses and met or exceed all of the required criteria.

Application: The application consists of a professional resume that includes all past paint industry history and certifications.

To apply, please contact Valerie Sherst

PEKA Assessment 
If the PEKA application is approved you will be sent a link to purchase the PEKA Assessment.

Once payment has been made the candidate will be contacted by the training administrator who will arrange for the first of 5 case studies (2 Architectural and 3 Maintenance Repainting) to be e-mailed for review and completion. Only if each case study is approved, will the next case study be forwarded for completion (see termination and appeal process below)   The case studies will be evaluated at each stage and if necessary, after completion of all of the case studies, the candidate will be asked to have a formal meeting (in person, by phone or by Skype) with MPI technical representatives. The decision will then be if the applicant has been successful, or not.

Termination and Appeal:
Once a case study is complete it will be emailed back for review by qualified professionals. Once approved the next case study will be forwarded on for completion.  You have up to three attempts at successfully completing a case study, if MPI finds the completed case study to be incorrect or insufficient, we will provide some guidance and ask you to resubmit. After the third attempt we reserve the right to terminate the assessment if we conclude that the answers given are not correct or do not sufficiently reflect the role of a certified coatings inspector. You may appeal a termination decision once. Following the appeal, if the termination stands, the application fee will be refunded.

MPI Inspection ID number 
The MPI Certified Architectural Coating Inspector will receive an MPI Inspection ID number. The Inspector’s name and ID number will be posted on the MPI website for the entire time they remain certified.

NOTE: Anyone that has not successfully completed the MPI Training program and PEKA assessment should not be using the designation MPI Certified Architectural Coatings Inspector, or any form of ‘MPI Inspector’ title.  If one person within a company has the designation, that does not allow others in the company to claim the same designation. In some cases, this could lead to termination of the use of the designation by the original holder.

Re-certification 
Re-certification (every 3 years) – The inspector will be required to show proof that he or she has been active in the architectural inspection field (written specifications, consultations, inspection reports, etc.).
The inspector may also be required to complete 2 to 3 case studies for review.

Master, Paint Quality Assurance® (M PQA) Completion
Students who successfully complete the PEKA Assessment, receive accreditation 'Master Paint Quality Assurance® (M PQA). It also allows you to use the title ‘MPI Certified Architectural Coating Inspector’.

MPI Master Paint Quality Assurance® (M PQA) badge