Online Self-Study
Learn at your pace, any place.
Meet your training and certification needs on your own schedule with ISTA's improved and revamped learning platform! The course module includes a pre-recorded video presentation and supporting text that provides a dynamic self-paced learning experience.
When you choose to pursue ISTA PDP certification via ISTA's Online Learning system, PDP courses must be purchased individually. Multiple PDP courses cannot be purchased as a bundle.
ISTA's Online Learning system will automatically track your progress and award ISTA PDP certification after the exams for all six (6) courses have been passed.
- Member discounted rate:
If you are your company's delegate, you must use your personal login to access courses.
$225 per course ($1,350 for all 6 courses)
- Non-member rate:
$325 per course ($1,950 for all 6 courses)
- Student member pricing available for ISTA PDP 101
Live Virtual Training
Instructor-led, real-time training in a virtual environment.
Get in-depth training by attending our scheduled virtual course trainings which features our instructor who walk through subject matter via a live video conference call. Virtual opportunities are scheduled throughout the year.
- Member discounted rate:
If you are your company's delegate, you must use your personal login to access courses.
$225 per course;
$1,350 ISTA PDP certification bundle (6 courses)
- Non-member rate:
$325 per course;
$1,950 ISTA PDP certification bundle (6 courses)
- Student member pricing available for ISTA PDP 101
In-Person Training
Face-to-face training at ISTA events.
Interactive live events with our lead instructor and fellow attendees with our in-person events such as the annual ISTA Forum, TransPack & TempPack events.
- Member discounted rate:
If you are your company's delegate, you must use your personal login to access courses.
$1,350 ISTA PDP certification bundle (6 courses)
- Non-member rate:
$1,950 ISTA PDP certification bundle (6 courses)
- Discount offered with event registration
- Student member pricing available for ISTA PDP 101
Non-Member Access to ISTA PDP Training & Certification
ISTA PDP Certification is now available for non-members. Click below to learn more about signing up for a non-member access account.
ISTA PDP Courses
In order to achieve ISTA Packaging Dynamics Professional certification, participants will be required to complete and pass all six (6) ISTA PDP training courses listed below.
PDP 101 | Principles of Distribution Packaging
Principles of Distribution Packaging is an introduction to various topics that affect distribution package design. Topics include an overview of the various levels of packaging, corrugated fundamentals, sustainability, and the implications of packaging decisions. The hazards of supply chains, transportation modes, and different commerce channels will also be discussed.
The training objectives for this course include:
- A better understanding of the roles of the different layers of packaging in distribution
- An understanding of the fundamentals of corrugated and making sustainable packaging decisions
- An understanding of the importance of preshipment testing and the role ISTA plays in the development & implementation of test standards
- An understanding of various commerce and supply chain channels
- A better understanding of the decision-making process related to packaging design and sustainability
PDP 101 is the first of six courses in ISTA‘s Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certification program. Trainees will need to participate in all six ISTA PDP courses as well as take and pass the exam for each in order to receive ISTA's PDP Certification.
Instructional time: 1 hour 22 minutes
Course topics: Defining Distribution Packaging; Primary Packaging; Secondary Packaging; Tertiary Packaging; Fundamentals of Corrugated Board; Making Paper; Burst Testing; Edge Crush Testing; Box Makers Certificates; Supply Chain Components; Supply Chain Nodes; Supply Chain Modes; Commerce Channels; eCommerce; Omni-Channel; Preshipment Testing; ISTA Standards; ISTA Test Procedures; Sustainability in Packaging.
PDP 201 | Atmospheric & Compression Hazards in Transit
Atmospheric & Compression Hazards in Transit examines the hazards experienced in our global package distribution environment. PDP 201 focuses on the effects of air pressure and atmospheric moisture. This course continues on to examine how packages experience both static and dynamic compression forces during shipping. The instructor will relate how hazards in the environment are simulated by testing in the laboratory.
The training objectives for this course include:
- A better understanding of atmospheric pressure at different altitudes
- An understanding of hazards related to temperature & humidity
- An introduction to phase change
- An understanding of how pressure, temperature & humidity is simulated in the testing laboratory
- A better understanding of static & dynamic compression hazards in the distribution environment
- An introduction to the fundamentals of corrugated box compression strength & how packaging engineers and technicians can test for compression strength in the laboratory
PDP 201 is the continuation of ISTA‘s Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certification program. Trainees will need to participate in all six ISTA PDP courses as well as take and pass the exam for each in order to receive ISTA‘s PDP Certification.
Instructional time: 39 minutes
Course topics: Atmospheric Pressure; Thermal Hazards; Atmospheric Moisture; Humidity; Laboratory Conditioning for Temperature & Humidity; Compression Hazards; Static Compression; Stacking; Dynamic Compression; Laboratory Testing for Compression; Compression Test Equipment .
If you are already certified, this course qualifies for 15 points towards ISTA PDP recertification.
PDP 202 | Shock & Drop Hazards in Transit
Shock & Drop Hazards in Transit examines the hazards experienced in our global package distribution environment. PDP 202 focuses on the basics of shock dynamics, how they occur in shipping and the many different ways drops/shocks are simulated in the laboratory. This course continues on to examine how cushioning materials are tested for performance. The instructor will show how this performance testing is applied in packaging design for cushioning.
The training objectives for this course include:
- A better understanding of accelerations experienced when packages are dropped
- An understanding of changes in velocity & how they affect packages during shipping
- An understanding of many different methods of simulating drops/shocks in the testing laboratory
- A better understanding of static & dynamic compression hazards in the distribution environment
- An introduction to the fundamentals of cushioning, how test data is documented via cushion curves & how packaging engineers and designers can apply cushion curves to design protective packages
PDP 202 is the continuation of ISTA‘s Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certification program. Trainees will need to participate in all six ISTA PDP courses as well as take and pass the exam for each in order to receive ISTA‘s PDP Certification.
Instructional time: 41 minutes
Course topics: Basic Shock Dynamics; Shock Hazards in the Transit Environment; Drop Test Specifications; Drop Test Equipment; Drop Test Alternatives; Dynamic Material Testing; Shock Performance of Cushioning Materials; Shock Cushion Curves.
If you are already certifed, this course qualifies for 15 points towards ISTA PDP recertification.
PDP 203 | Vibration Hazards in Transit
Vibration Hazards in Transit examines the hazards experienced in our global package distribution environment. PDP 203 focuses on the basics of vibration dynamics, how it occurs in shipping and the many different ways vibration is simulated in the laboratory. This course continues on to examine how random vibration occurs in the distribution environment and how random vibration testing is performed in the test laboratory. The instructor will discuss how this vibration testing is applied in packaging design.
The training objectives for this course include:
- A better understanding of how packages experience vibration in the distribution environment
- An understanding of changes in vibration intensity & frequency affect packages during shipping
- An understanding of many different methods of simulating vibration in the testing laboratory
- A better understanding of random vibration hazards in the distribution environment & how random vibration testing is performed in the laboratory
- An introduction to the fundamentals of random vibration measurement & analysis
PDP 203 is the continuation of ISTA‘s Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certification program. Trainees will need to participate in all six ISTA PDP courses as well as take and pass the exam for each in order to receive ISTA‘s PDP Certification.
Instructional time: 53 minutes
Course topics: Basic Vibration Dynamics; Vibration Hazards in the Transit Environment; Vibration Testing in the Laboratory; Vibration Test Specifications; Vibration Test Equipment; Random Vibration Dynamics; Measurement & Analysis of Random Vibration Data; Random Vibration Testing in the Laboratory.
If you are already certified, this course qualifies for 15 points towards ISTA PDP recertification.
PDP 204 | Test Laboratory Operations & Instrumentation
Test Laboratory Operations & Instrumentation provides a broad overview of packaging lab test equipment, certification and instrumentation. PDP 204 focuses on the ISTA lab certification process. This course continues on to review the ISTA Transit-Tested package certification process & benefits. The instructor will discuss best practices for selection & use of measurement systems, sensors & transducers, signal conditioners and signal filtering.
The training objectives for this course include:
- A better understanding of best practices for maintaining package test lab equipment
- An understanding of ISTA test lab certification options & the certification process
- An understanding of ISTA Transit-Tested certification process
- A better understanding of package test laboratory measurement systems, sensors, transducers, signal conditioners and signal filtering
PDP 204 is the continuation of ISTA‘s Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certification program. Trainees will need to participate in all six ISTA PDP courses as well as take and pass the exam for each in order to receive ISTA‘s PDP Certification.
Instructional time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Course topics: Data Accuracy & Reliability; Package Test Lab Equipment; ISTA Lab Certification; ISTA Lab Certification Checklist; ISTA Transit-Tested Certification; Selection & Performance of Lab Tests; Measurement in the Lab; Packaging Lab Instrumentation; Signal Conditioners; Readouts; Sensors & Transducers; Signal Filtering; Test Lab Equipment Calibration.
If you are already certified, this course qualifies for 15 points towards ISTA PDP recertification.
PDP 205 | Test Procedures & Enhanced Simulation Testing
Test Procedures & Enhanced Simulation Testing provides an overview of ISTA test procedure categories & types. PDP 205 focuses on the following test procedures categories: (1) Non-Simulation Integrity Testing; (2) Partial Simulation Testing; (3) General Simulation Testing; and (4) Enhanced Simulation Testing. This course continues on to provide an overview of different test standard organizations in the packaging industry. An overview will then be provided of National Motor Freight Traffic Association Item 180. The instructor will finish with an overview of the PackSight digital test planning & reporting system.
The training objectives for this course include:
- A better understanding of ISTA test protocol categories & types
- An understanding of non-simulation integrity testing
- An understanding of partial simulation testing
- An overview of general simulation testing
- An overview of enhanced simulation testing
- An understanding of National Motor Freight Traffic Association Item 180
- A better understanding of ISTA‘s & Specright‘s PackSight digital test planning & reporting system
PDP 205 is the continuation of ISTA‘s Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certification program. Trainees will need to participate in all six ISTA PDP courses as well as take and pass the exam for each in order to receive ISTA‘s PDP Certification.
Instructional time: 1 hour 11 minutes
Course topics: Why Test in the Lab; ISTA Test Categories & Types; Non-Simulation Integrity Testing; Partial Simulation Testing; General Simulation Testing; Enhanced Simulation Testing; Selecting a Test Procedure; Overview of Different Test Standard Organizations; ISTA Test Procedure Layout; Hazardous Material Packaging Testing; Overview of National Motor Freight Traffic Association Item 180; Overview of ASTM Package Test; Overview of PackSight Digital Test Planning & Reporting System.
If you are already certified, this course qualifies for 15 points towards ISTA PDP recertification.
CPLP to ISTA PDP
CPLP Level I Technician
In order to continue to be ISTA certified past the end of your current term, CPLP Level I Technicians must take and pass the exams for the six (6) new Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) courses. Discounted rates available upon request.
As of August 2022, certification terms of all CPLP Level I Technicians were extended by an additional one (1) year.
CPLP Level II Technologist
CPLP Level II Technologists have automatically been converted to Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Certified. Congratulations, you are now ISTA Packaging Dynamics Professionals!
Check your education dashboard to view your updated certificate. As of August 2022, certification terms for all Packaging Dynamics Professionals (ISTA PDP's) have been extended to a minimum of September 1, 2024.
CPLP Level III Professional
Current CPLP Level III Professionals have been automatically converted to Lifetime Packaging Dynamics Professionals (ISTA LPDP's).
Lifetime Packaging Dynamics Professionals (ISTA LPDP's) receive status after 12 continuous years of ISTA PDP certification.
ISTA PDP Recertification
Recertification is an important indicator to you and your employer that you have kept up with current trends and validated your skills at the level of the original PDP certification.
Recertify Now
- ISTA's PDP program has a three-year recertification requirement that must be met prior to the certification expiration date
- ISTA PDP recertification is based on a point system for employment, participation in additional educational courses and involvement with ISTA boards, councils and workgroups (see examples below)
- A minimum of 135 points must be achieved during each three-year recertification period (see recertification point system below)
- Each time requirements are met, ISTA PDP certification will be extended for an additional three years
- Want to see your current point accumulation for ISTA PDP recertification? Click on the "Recertify Now" button to enter your activities. You will have the option to save your responses before final submission.
Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) Recertification Point System
- A minimum of 135 points must be achieved during each three-year recertification period
- Application fee for ISTA PDP recertification is US $50
| Recertification activity | Points per activity | Maximum points per 3-year ISTA PDP recertification period |
| Years of employment related to transport packaging | 10 points per year | 30 |
|---|---|---|
Take any of the following courses, each worth 5 points: | 5 points per course | 75 (2 courses of any level required) |
Take the following course worth 10 points:
| 10 points per course | |
Take any of the following courses, each worth 15 points: | 15 points per course | |
Take any of the following courses, each worth 20 points: | 20 points per course | |
Retake any 200-level ISTA PDP course | 15 points per course | 75 |
| Create & maintain at least 10 projects per year in ISTA Digital | 15 points per course | 15 |
| Participate in ISTA boards/councils | 30 points per board or council | 90 |
| Participate in ISTA workgroups/committees | 15 points per workgroup or committee | 30 |
| Attend ISTA Forum or Packaging Symposium events | 15 points per ISTA event | 45 |
| View On-Demand Videos from ISTA events you did not attend | 5 points per video | 30 |
| Attend ISTA webinars | 5 points per webinar | 30 |
| Present at ISTA events, conferences or webinars | 30 points per presentation | 60 |
| Present at packaging-related meetings or conferences | 5 points per presentation | 15 |
| Publication of papers or articles related to transport packaging | 10 points per article | 30 |
| Membership in packaging organizations | 5 points per membership | 15 |
| BS in packaging science, technology or engineering (in lifetime) | 10 points per degree | 10 |
| MS in packaging science, technology or engineering (in lifetime) | 10 points per degree | 10 |
| PhD in packaging science, technology or engineering (in lifetime) | 10 points per degree | 10 |
| Lead a transport packaging project within your company | 15 points per project | 15 |
| Packaging-related patents issued during this recertification cycle | 15 points per patent | 45 |
Here are three examples showing common ways an ISTA PDP can meet the 135-point Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) recertification threshold over their current multi-year (typically 3 year) term:
Example #1
| Years of employment related to transport packaging | 3 years @10 points each | 30 points |
|---|---|---|
| Take any non-PDP ISTA education course* | 1 course @10 points each (200 and 300-level courses ble) | 10 points |
| Retake any 200-level ISTA PDP course | 5 courses @15 points each | 75 points |
| View On-Demand Video from ISTA events you did not attend | 1 video @5 points each | 5 points |
| Lead a transport packaging project within your company | 1 project @15 points each | 15 points |
| Total | 135 points |
Example #2
| Years of employment related to transport packaging | 3 years @10 points each | 30 points |
|---|---|---|
| Take any non-PDP ISTA education course* | 3 courses (1@10 points; 1@15 points; 1@20 points) | 45 points |
| Attend ISTA Forum or Packaging Symposium events | 2 events @15 points each | 30 points |
| View On-Demand Video from ISTA events you did not attend | 3 videos @5 points each | 15 points |
| Lead a transport packaging project within your company | 1 project @15 points each | 15 points |
| Total | 135 points |
Example #3
| Years of employment related to transport packaging | 3 years @10 points each | 30 points |
|---|---|---|
| Take any non-PDP ISTA education course* | 5 courses (1@5 points; 2@15 points each; 2@20 points each) | 75 points |
| View On-Demand Video from ISTA events you did not attend | 3 videos @5 points each | 15 points |
| Lead a transport packaging project within your company | 1 project @15 points each | 15 points |
| Total | 135 points |
- See above for the full list of 20 different ways existing PDP's can earn ISTA Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) recertification points.
- * Expect annual additions of new ISTA Education courses, accessible through ISTA's Online Self-Study platform, Live Virtual, and Live In-Person sessions.
ISTA Continuing Education
Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends & Best Practices
In addition to these courses, ISTA continues to expand its educational offerings through the ISTA Online Learning platform, as well as through virtual and in-person sessions. The platform also features an extensive library of on-demand video presentations from industry experts at events like the ISTA Forum, TransPack, TempPack, and the European Packaging Symposium. These courses cover a broad range of topics, helping you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. Some courses also offer credit towards ISTA PDP recertification. Content offerings include:
- Responsible Packaging by Design (RPbD)
- CC 101 | Principles of Cold Chain Packaging
- CC 201 | Introduction to BioPharma Cold Chain
- CC 301 | User Requirement Specifications (URS) to Operational Qualification (OQ)
- DCA 101 | Introduction to Distribution Environment Data Collection & Analysis
- DCA 201 | Distribution Environment Data Collection
- DCA 301 | Distribution Environment Data Analysis: Vehicle Vibration
- DCA 302 | Distribution Environment Data Analysis: Shock Impact & Drop
- Test Procedure Training (TPT)
- On-Demand Video Presentations
Lifetime ISTA PDP
Lifetime Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA LPDP) status is achieved after 12 continuous years of ISTA PDP certification.
Student ISTA PDP In Training
Students may take the first Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) course (PDP 101: Principles of Distribution Packaging) to obtain a designation of Packaging Design Professional In Training (ISTA PDP IT). Students may then take the remaining ISTA PDP course content when their 3-year student certification expires (or they decide to do so sooner) to get full ISTA PDP certification.
Group Training
Ramp up your team's skills in a cost-effective way, by having our instructor conduct training (virtual or in-person) for your group. Contact us at ista@ista.org and we'll follow up, answer any questions and help bring ISTA PDP Certification to your organization.
FAQs
We’ve put together commonly asked questions in our Support Center to give you more information about our Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) program. Click below to browse through these FAQs to find your answers.