ISTA offers professional certification for Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) Program and Certified Thermal Professional (CTP) Program.
ISTA CERTIFIED PACKAGING LABORATORY PROFESSIONAL (CPLP)
This unique program encourages and recognizes development and excellence in packaging laboratory professionals. Manufacturers can improve their ability to achieve effective, economical packaging when their own people receive this unique training. CPLP certification is particularly valuable for enhancing the credibility of people involved with ISTA testing and ISTA certified laboratory operations.
There are three levels of certification: Technican (Level I), Technologist (Level II) and Professional. Technician and Technologist levels require the study of on-line or printed materials and the passage of multiple-choice examinations. Professional-level certification is based on a résumé of industry activities and accomplishments. Re-certification for Technician and Level II Technologist levels is required every three (3) years.
TAKE A DETAILED LOOK AT EACH LEVEL - Level I Technician, Level II Technologist and Professional: click here
CPLP STUDY OPTIONS AND FEES
Self-Study with on-line access (Level I Technician and Level II Technologist levels): $325 each level
Self-Study with printed/mailed materials (Level I Technician and Level II Technologist levels ): $425 each level
Professional level: $325
On-line study includes convenient navigation, enhanced graphics, and a slideshow review to reinforce the material. On-line exams are electronically graded for fast response. Printed study and exam materials are available (at extra charge to cover printing, handling, packaging, and mailing) for those who prefer that format. NOTE: All CPLP materials and exams (printed and on-line) are in English. English proficiency is therefore required for successful participation in the CPLP program.
Training & Webinars: ISTA also conducts in-person training events (concurrent with ISTA's TransPack Forum) and online training webinars for Level I Technician and Level II Technologist levels. Click here for details on upcoming workshops and webinars. Contact Lisa Bonsignore at (lisa@ista.org) if you are interested in an in-person workshop at your location.
CPLP ELGIBILITY
Anyone can register for the program and study the materials. However, only ISTA members may take the exams and be CPLP-certified. Click Here for information on ISTA membership. The exams must be taken within 120 days after registration. A $100 fee will apply to extend this time, or to transfer a registration from one person to another.
REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS
Self-Study Quantity Discounts
1-2: net
3-4: 5% discount
5-9: 10% discount
10+: 15% discount
To earn the discounts, applicants must be from the same company (can be different locations) and order for all applicants must be placed at the same time. Invoice / billing will be at time of application.3-4: 5% discount
5-9: 10% discount
10+: 15% discount
REGISTER NOW FOR THE CPLP PROGRAM
ISTA Members:
Self-Study with on-line access (Level I Technician and Level II Technologist levels):
Login to the Member Center and choose the Resources Folder to view the Online Learning options.Self-Study with printed/mailed materials (Level I Technician and Level II Technologist levels ):
Visit the ISTA Store to order materials.
Non-Members: Call ISTA Headquarters at (517) 333-3437 for further instructions.
RE-CERTIFICATION
Re-certification is required every three (3) years. This preserves the integrity and status of the program by ensuring that a CPLP remains active in the field and is still qualified to hold the Certificate. Re-certification may be accomplished by submitting a qualifying résumé of industry activities, or by taking an abbreviated version of the appropriate current exams (Technician and/or Technologist). The recertification fee is US$150. CPLP recipients are notified by ISTA prior to their re-certification dates.
An advancement in level (from Technician to Technologist, or from Technologist to Professional) re-starts the certification period. CPLP-Professional is a lifetime certification; no re-certification is required.
Click Here for further details on re-certification.
NOTE: All CPLP materials and exams (printed and on-line) are in English. English proficiency is therefore required for successful participation in the CPLP program.
ISTA CERTIFIED THERMAL PROFESSIONAL (CTP)
This certification program encourages and recognizes development and excellence in insulated shipping container (ISC), thermal packaging laboratory testing professionals. Thermal packaging suppliers and third-party independent testing laboratories who are certified as ISTA Standard 20 test labs and conduct 7E tests must have CTP Level I and II people achieve this unique training and certification. CTP certification enhances the credibility of people involved with ISTA 7E testing and ISTA Standard 20 certified laboratory operations.
There are two levels of certification: Level I and Level II. Both levels require the study of on-line materials, the passage of a multiple-choice examination and then a practical exam.
NOTE: All CTP materials and exams are in English. English proficiency is therefore required for successful participation in the CPT program.
Certified Thermal Professional (CTP) – LEVEL I
A CTP Level I individual is a lab technician with demonstrated competence to perform Standard 20 testing procedures under the direction of a CTP II. CTP I personnel know and understand the basics of document preparation (including reporting of exceptions), basic numeric procedures for completion of forms, and a general understanding of authorities and signatures required for attesting to document completion.
CTP Level I Requirements & Process:
1) Certification is subject to a renewal every three (3) years by multiple-choice test and practical exam. The practical exam maybe waived through evidence of practice.
2) Certification is acquired by a two-step process. The first step is passing a 60 question multiple choice exam. Applicants must have access to a purchased Standard 20 copy and may obtain a copy of the training manual (CTP I) for advance study.
- Applicant has 120 days from the date the application fee is paid to complete the exam.
- Test period is two hours.
- Test is "open book" with Standard 20 as the book. The training manual is not allowed at the testing session.
- Passing grade is 80%
- Online exam is graded electronically for fast response.
3) Step Two is a Practical exam where the applicant will be required to build a Design Qualification Data Package. The Practical exam will apply everything learned by reading ISTA Standard 20, APPX-0049 Data Package Manual, CTP I Training Manual, and all other ISTA Standard 20 documents.
- There is a total possible 125 points available for the proper assembly of the Design Qualification Data Package.
- The time limit for completion of the practical test is one week from receipt of CTP Level I Practical Exam documents.
- The Practical is "open book" with Standard 20 as the book. The training manual is not allowed at the testing session.
- Passing grade is 80%
CTP Level I Certification Fee: $425
ISTA Members:
Login to the Member Center and choose the Resources Folder to view the Online Learning options.CTP Level I Re-Certification Fee: $425
ISTA Members:
Login to the Member Center and choose the Resources Folder to view the Online Learning options.Certified Thermal Professional (CTP) – LEVEL II
A CTP II certified thermal professional has a comprehensive working knowledge of all of the documents contained in Standard 20, and is capable of running a lab performing the tests specified by Standard 20. CTP II personnel understand the entire process from design to final certification of an ISC. They are capable of creating compliant, accurate and properly attested documentary packages.
CTP II personnel have exhibited a conceptual grasp of laboratory procedures that are relevant to Standard 20 protocols and are competent to maintain a laboratory to certification standards set forth by ISTA.
CTP Level II Requirements & Process:
- Each CTP II must have first passed CTP I.
- Certification is subject to a renewal every three (3) years by test and practical exam.
- Certification is acquired by a two-step process. First, an online multiple-choice exam is administered by a proctor, who must be a job peer or superior. Applicant may obtain a copy of the training manual (CTP II) for advance study. The training manual is useful for preparation for the Step One.
- Applicant has 120 days from the date the application fee is paid to complete the exam.
- Exam period is two hours.
- Exam is "open book" with Standard 20 as the book. The training manual is not allowed at the testing session.
- Passing grade is 80%
- CTP II test is graded and certified by ISTA.
4. Step Two consists of a Practical Test with the applicant will be required to write a Design Qualification Protocol and Report from a supplied User Requirements. Specification (URS), a Data Package and Protocol & Report Templates in conjunction with all the supporting Standard 20 documents.
- There is a total possible 129 points available for the proper writing of a Design Qualification Protocol and Report.
- The time limit for completion of the practical test is one week from receipt of CTP Level II Practical Exam documents.
- The Practical is "open book" with Standard 20 as the book. The training manual is not allowed at the testing session.
- Passing grade is 80%
CTP Level II Certification Fee: $450
ISTA Members:
Login to the Member Center and choose the Resources Folder to view the Online Learning options.CTP Level II Re-Certification Fee: $450
ISTA Members:
Login to the Member Center and choose the Resources Folder to view the Online Learning options.