What kind of training courses does MPI offer?
Level One – Essentials of Paint and Painting Technology
(Certification MPI ACT – MPI Architectural Coating Technologist)
MPI's Level 1 training course teaches the essential principles and practices that every professional who works with commercial/architectural paints and coatings needs to know. Eight modules cover paint chemistry, paint types and manufacture, color, paint application, safety, basic specifications, standards, and environmental considerations. Both the course and final exam are entirely on-line, so student can proceed at their own speed, with 90 days to complete the course and exam. Students who complete this course receive certification as an MPI-Certified Architectural Coating Technologist. Passing MPI Level 1 is a prerequisite to advanced training in MPI's Level 2 (Coatings Specialist Certification) or Level 3 (Coating Inspection) courses and certification.
Level Two A – Architectural Painting
(Certification MPI ACS – MPI Architectural Coating Specialist)
This is the definitive course on new construction painting of buildings and commercial/institutional structures, with a focus on how to assure success and avoid costly do-overs. Students will learn how to write basic paint specs for new construction projects as well as best practices for painting the 25 most common substrates, including the characteristics of each substrate; how to evaluate surface condition and recognize flaws or defects that must be rectified prior to painting; suitable coatings/systems for each substrate; surface preparation practices; and basic quality control techniques. Students who pass this course receive MPI's Architectural Coatings Specialist (ACS) certification and are eligible to go on to Level 3 Inspection.
Level Two B – Maintenance Repainting
(Certification MPI MCS – MPI Maintenance Coating Specialist)
This is the definitive course on maintenance repainting of buildings and commercial/institutional structures, with a focus on how to assure success and avoid costly do-overs. Students will learn how to write basic repaint specs as well as best practices for repainting the 25 most common substrates, including the characteristics of each substrate; how to assess the existing surface condition according to MPI's five DSD (Degree of Surface Degradation) levels and determine which flaws and defects are present; suitable coatings/systems for each substrate based on what degree of degradation is present; surface preparation practices; and basic quality control techniques. Students who pass this course receive MPI's Maintenance Coatings Specialist (MCS) certification and are eligible to go on to Level 3 Inspection.
Level Three – Inspection
(Certification MPI ACI – MPI Architectural Coating Inspector) or (Certification MPI MCI – MPI Architectural Coating Inspector)
Inspection of Architectural Projects - This is the most complex of all the courses. It requires successful completion of Level One and one of the Level Two courses. The inspection course will prepare the student to write detailed painting specifications for new projects or maintenance of existing projects, describe and use various testing equipment for inspection, review the responsibilities of the various contractors and specifying authorities as well as document the job quality and adherence to the specification. This program also enables the successful student to identify potential paint & coating defects & failures before they become costly mistakes. The final review with hands on use of inspection equipment & proctored exam (one day) will take place at various sites across the US and Canada. The student must show picture ID prior to taking the exam.
M. PQA – Master Paint Quality Assurance®– students must have successfully completed all of the above levels plus a final peer review.
