These MPI courses were developed as a result
of demand from paint manufacturers, painting contractors, suppliers
and retailers, the Military and other government bodies requiring
information and certification for their managers and supervisors,
sales staff and customer service, property and facility managers,
etc.
The MPI Training courses or modules contain a series of subjects
(modules) and lessons (sections) that will lead to MPI certification
at various levels. They are complex in nature but will be described
and explained to the best of our ability so that you may comprehend
the concepts. Each subject or module has its own "Study Questions"
for students to judge their own progress within the course.
The full certification course is aimed at Paint & Coating
professionals who wish to progress toward the level of an MPI Certified
Architectural Coating Inspector. Completion entails taking and passing
the exams for all 4 levels, a peer review and a final proctored
exam.
There are other learning opportunities and certificate levels –
from the very basic understanding of paint & coatings to comprehension
and use of the MPI Technical Manuals (MPI Architectural Painting
Specification Manual and the MPI Maintenance Repainting Manual)
to techniques of inspection for Quality Assurance or for defects
and failures of architectural sibstrates.
Purpose:
These courses provide primarily: an
essential knowledge of painting and paint technology, safety issues,
color information, paint application, guidance and understanding
of a basic painting specification and of industry standards.
This first level (Essentials of Paint and Painting Technology)
is a prerequisite to all the remaining levels. As you progress through
the levels; a complete understanding of the details and particulars
of various substrates, paint system choices, paint system preparation
and appropriate use of the approved products will be attained -
whether in new (architectural) work or in a repaint (maintenance)
situation. These courses also enable a facility manager to ensure
that what has been specified is being completed to MPI standards
or the standards that he has deemed mandatory. The final level of
training prepares a paint & coating specialist to progress to
a MPI Certified Architectural Coating
Inspector.
What
kind of training courses do MPI offer?
BASIC
- The Basics of Paint & Painting Technology
will provide LU's for Architects, Specifiers, etc. These lessons
will include a summary of the detailed courses offered (just the
salient points).
ADVANCED BASIC -
Essential knowledge skills and strategies regarding paint and coatings.
The introductory course (Essentials of Paint & Painting
Technology) is designed to provide information regarding
paint technology, paint types, color, paint application, safety,
basic specifications and environmental considerations. It will be
the equivalent of a two-day on-site course, but offered on-line
where the student can proceed virtually at his, or her, own speed
and timing. This course will be a prerequisite to more advanced
courses from MPI Training, but will also stand on its own and will
provide the student with a certificate of completion. This course
is considered the "CORE". Should the student wish to pursue
further paint & painting education, two parallel paths will
then be open. Each requires successful completion
of the "Core". (Each of the modules contained in this
Core Level can also be taken separately.)
INTERMEDIATE
- Level Two A – Architectural Painting
- Includes a detailed explanation of the MPI Architectural Painting
Specification Manual (ASM) and a wide variety of interior and exterior
substrates. The modules will introduce you to the manual, describe
how to use it effectively and walk you through a specific scenario
(by substrate) allowing you to make the correct choices of systems
and system preparation. This course will address "new"
paint and painting of multi-family residential, commercial and institutional
project specifications. The modules will include extensive detailed
information on substrates, evaluation and selection of paint systems
and products, surface preparation, and basic assessment techniques,
all by individual substrate. It will be equivalent to a 5 day on-site
course. A one year subscription to the electronic MPI Architectural
Painting Specification Manual is included with this course. The
final review & proctored exam (one day) will take place at various
sites across the US and Canada.
INTERMEDIATE
- Level Two B - Maintenance Painting -
Includes a detailed explanation of the MPI Maintenance Repainting
Manual (RSM) and the methodology of determining the DSD (Degree
of Surface Degradation),
a key aspect of maintenance painting. The modules will introduce
you to the manual, describe how to use it effectively and walk you
through a specific scenario (by substrate) allowing you to make
the best choices. This course will address "maintenance"
paint and painting of multi-family residential, commercial and institutional
project specifications. The modules will include extensive detailed
information on substrates, evaluation and selection of paint systems,
surface preparation, and basic assessment techniques, all by individual
substrate. It will be equivalent to a 5 day on-site course. A one
year subscription to the electronic MPI Maintenance Repainting Manual
is included with this course. The final review & proctored exam
(one day) will take place at various sites across the US and Canada.
ADVANCED
- Level Three - Inspection of Architectural Projects
- This is the most complex of all the courses. It
requires successful completion of the three previous courses. The
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 & proctored exam (one day) will take
place at various sites across the US and Canada.
The Final Level -
A "Peer Review" is necessary to acheive the "MPI
Certified Architectural Coating Inspector" designation. (Further
detailed information will be provided to those completing levels
2A & B, and wishing to complete and go beyond Level 3).
Who
can benefit from the courses?
These courses will benefit any paint and
coating professional, from contractor to salesperson, architect and
specifier, property managers and owners, inspectors and consultants.
Where
are they offered and how do you take the courses?
You can take the on-line courses at your
own pace and on your own time (except for the proctored exam). Each
level must be completed within a certain period of time (3 months).
Extensions can be obtained where special circumstances apply.
You must pass the exam for each particular level (75% score) before
you can go onto the next . Exam Questions are
"Multiple Choice" - Answers are either "a", "b",
"c" or "d". We assume that you are comfortable
with using the internet and can scroll through pages or use the back
or forward buttons. You will need to spend at least 1 – 2 hours
per lesson (section) to grasp the information provided and write the
study questions.
How
to improve your Learning Outcomes:
There are study questions at the end of
each lesson (section) within the courses. These questions are "fill
in the blank" format. The answers are also provided. Printing
and answering these review tests and then reviewing your correct answers
enables you to know what you have garnered from the modules.
Is
there certification after successful completion of these courses?
Yes, each level has it’s
own certificate upon successful completion of the course and specific
exam.
The final certification will be that of "MPI Certified Architectural
Coating Inspector" after successful completion of all
the levels, the final exam and a peer review.
What
about Learning Units?
We are currently developing "Learning
Units" (LU's) for the AIA architects, specifiers, interior designers,etc.
As soon as this information is available, it will be posted on the
website.
How
do you register? What does it cost?
Registration can be done on-line at this
site or, on request, a registration form can be faxed to be completed
and returned.
Courses
Cost
Basic Module - summarized sections, that will
provide LU's.
TBA
Core Module – the "Essentials":
Paint technology, Color, Application, Safety, Basic Specifications
and the Environment
(For separate module costs, please see the MPI
Store)
Peer review and final certification - as an MPI Certified
Architectural Coating Inspector.
tba
These
courses are for you if you are an (a):
Architect
Specifier
Interior Designer
Painting Contractor
Paint & Coating salesperson, manager, store owner
Property Manager
Facility Manager
On-Line:
All courses have a final exam and a specific mark (75%) must be
attained before proceeding to the next level.
Basic - Summarized paint and painting technology information
- LU's.
Core - Essentials of Paint and Painting Technology, etc.
Level Two A - ASM – (Architectural Painting)
Level Two B - RSM – (Maintenance Repainting)
Level Three - Inspection
Final Level - Peer review and final designation.
How does the MPI web-based
learning work?
Once you have completed your registration you will receive the following
(depending upon the modules that you are taking):
