Top 10 Packaging Technician Certifications

Certifications for packaging technicians are important in the job market because they provide employers with proof of an individual’s qualifications and knowledge. They show that the technician has received formal training and has the skills necessary to do the job. Certification can also demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, which is often valued by employers. Additionally, certifications may be required for certain positions or even entire industries, as they can provide assurance to employers that their packaging technicians are up-to-date on best practices and safety guidelines.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Packaging Technicians and explains how they can help to advance a packaging technician's career.

What are Packaging Technician Certifications?

Packaging technician certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a certified packaging technician. This certification is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and requires individuals to complete a series of courses, exams, and on-the-job experience.

By becoming a certified packaging technician, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in packaging design, materials selection, quality assurance and process optimization. Certification also provides an opportunity for professionals to stand out from others in the field by demonstrating their commitment to excellence and dedication to learning.

This certification can help individuals gain recognition as an expert in their field, open up new job opportunities and advance within their current positions. It also helps employers identify qualified candidates for open positions who are knowledgeable about packaging processes and requirements. Additionally, those who hold this certification may be able to command higher salaries due to their specialized knowledge and experience.

Pro Tip: When looking for a packaging technician certification, make sure to check the certifying body's accreditation status and ensure that the program is recognized by your industry. Additionally, research the course content to make sure it covers topics relevant to your work and is up-to-date with current best practices.

Related: What does a Packaging Technician do?

Top 10 Packaging Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Packaging Technicians today.

1. Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)

Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of packaging. The CPP designation is widely recognized throughout the packaging industry as a mark of excellence and commitment to the profession.

The CPP certification process typically takes 6-12 months to complete, depending on the individual’s experience and educational background. To become certified, candidates must first apply for membership with IoPP and then pass an online exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as packaging materials, design principles, sustainability, and safety regulations.

The cost of obtaining a CPP certification varies depending on the type of membership you choose. The basic membership fee is $125, while the premium membership fee is $250. In addition to these fees, candidates must also pay a one-time exam fee of $225.

Overall, becoming a Certified Packaging Professional requires dedication and hard work but can be very rewarding for those who are committed to advancing their careers in packaging.

2. Certified Packaging Technologist (CPT)

Certified Packaging Technologist (CPT) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). The CPT designation is a mark of distinction that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated mastery in the field of packaging technology.

The CPT program consists of two parts: an online self-study course and a proctored exam. The online self-study course covers topics such as packaging materials, design principles, sustainability, cost analysis, and regulatory compliance. It takes approximately 40 hours to complete the course.

To become certified, you must pass the proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher. This exam is administered twice per year at various locations across the United States and Canada.

The cost to become certified as a Certified Packaging Technologist is $595 USD. This fee includes access to the online self-study course, registration for the proctored exam, and certification fees.

3. Certified Packaging Engineer (CPE)

Certified Packaging Engineer (CPE) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the field of packaging engineering. It is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), an international organization dedicated to advancing the profession of packaging. The CPE certification requires individuals to have at least five years of experience in the packaging field, as well as a minimum of two years of formal education in packaging science or related fields.

To become certified, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as materials, design, manufacturing, testing, regulations and sustainability. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about four hours to complete.

The cost for the CPE certification is $395 for members of IoPP and $495 for non-members. Additionally, there is a fee for each retake attempt if needed.

Once certified, individuals are eligible to use the CPE designation after their name and will receive a certificate with their name and date of certification.

4. Certified Packaging Operator (CPO)

A Certified Packaging Operator (CPO) is a professional designation that is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated competency in the field of packaging operations. The CPO certification is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), which is an international organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge and skills related to packaging and package design.

The CPO program consists of two levels: Level 1 and Level 2. To become a CPO, one must first complete the Level 1 coursework, which typically takes about 20 hours to complete. This course covers topics such as basic packaging principles, materials selection, labeling requirements, and quality assurance processes. After completing the Level 1 coursework, individuals must pass a written exam in order to receive their CPO certification.

Level 2 certification requires additional training and experience in more advanced topics such as sustainability practices, regulatory compliance, and process optimization. The Level 2 coursework typically takes 40 hours to complete and includes a final exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Packaging Operator varies depending on whether you are taking the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically range from $400-$600 while in-person courses can cost up to $1,000 or more depending on location and other factors.

5. International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) Certification

The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a non-profit organization that provides standards and testing protocols for the safe transport of products throughout the supply chain. The ISTA certification program is designed to ensure that products are packaged and shipped in a manner that will protect them from damage during transit. It also helps to reduce the risk of product loss or theft.

To obtain ISTA certification, companies must first register with the organization and submit their packaging designs for review. Once approved, they must then complete an on-site audit to demonstrate their compliance with ISTA standards. This process typically takes 2-3 weeks depending on the complexity of the packaging design.

The cost of obtaining ISTA certification depends on several factors, including the size and scope of the company's operations, as well as any additional services they may need such as training or consulting. Generally speaking, however, it can range anywhere from $2,000 - $10,000 USD per year depending on these factors.

Overall, obtaining ISTA certification is an important step for companies who wish to ensure their products are safely transported throughout the supply chain. It helps to reduce costs associated with damaged goods and ensures customers receive their orders in perfect condition.

6. Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) Certification

The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the packaging industry. It provides certification for packaging professionals who wish to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge in the field.

The IoPP Certification program is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of packaging. The certification includes three levels: Certified Packaging Professional (CPP), Certified Senior Packaging Professional (CSPP), and Certified Master Packaging Professional (CMMP).

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of packaging principles, processes, materials, equipment, and regulations. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering a variety of topics related to packaging.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the certification process. Applicants must first register for the exam, then study for it using IoPP's recommended resources. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their certification from IoPP.

The cost of IoPP Certification varies depending on the level you are seeking; CPP costs $400 USD, CSPP costs $500 USD, and CMMP costs $600 USD.

7. Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Packaging Certification

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Packaging Certification is a professional certification program that provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, experience and expertise in the field of plastics packaging. The certification is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of proficiency and understanding in the areas of design, materials selection, manufacturing, and testing.

The process to obtain the SPE Packaging Certification involves passing an exam that covers topics such as packaging design principles, materials selection and processing methods, product testing and quality control. Candidates must also complete a portfolio demonstrating their experience in the field. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken at any approved test center.

The cost for the SPE Packaging Certification exam is $425 USD for members of SPE or $525 USD for non-members. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once certified, individuals are required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education activities every three years.

8. American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Technician

American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Technician is a certification that recognizes individuals who demonstrate knowledge in the field of quality assurance. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise and commitment to quality assurance principles and practices.

The ASQ Certified Quality Technician program consists of an online exam that covers topics such as quality control, statistical process control, inspection, auditing, problem solving, and documentation. The exam is offered in two formats: computer-based testing (CBT) or paper-and-pencil testing (PPT). The CBT format takes approximately 3 hours to complete while the PPT format takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

In order to become certified as an ASQ Certified Quality Technician, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least three years of on-the-job experience in a quality technician role or equivalent education/training; passing the required exam; and paying the applicable fee.

The cost for taking the ASQ Certified Quality Technician exam depends on whether you take it in CBT or PPT format. For CBT exams, the fee is $349 USD for members of ASQ and $449 USD for non-members. For PPT exams, the fee is $399 USD for members of ASQ and $499 USD for non-members.

9. American Institute of Baking (AIB) Food Packaging Certification

The American Institute of Baking (AIB) Food Packaging Certification is a training program designed to help food manufacturers ensure that their packaging meets the highest standards for safety and quality. The program is offered online and consists of a series of modules covering topics such as food safety, labeling, packaging regulations, and more. It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the course, depending on the individual’s learning speed.

To get AIB Food Packaging Certification, individuals must first register for the course online. Once registered, they will be given access to the course materials which include videos, slideshows, quizzes, and other resources. After completing all modules with a passing grade, participants will receive their AIB Food Packaging Certification.

The cost of the AIB Food Packaging Certification program varies depending on the number of participants enrolled in a single session. Generally speaking, it costs between $150-$200 per person for an individual session or up to $1,000 for group sessions.

10. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a certification program that helps food businesses identify, assess, and control potential hazards in the production of food. It is a systematic approach to preventing contamination and ensuring that food is safe for consumption.

The HACCP certification process involves identifying potential physical, chemical, and biological hazards associated with the production of food products. Once identified, these hazards must be assessed to determine their likelihood of occurring and the severity of their impact on the safety of the product. Based on this assessment, critical control points are established to ensure that any risks associated with these hazards are eliminated or minimized.

The length of time it takes to get HACCP certification varies depending on the complexity of the business’s operations. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from two weeks to six months for a business to complete all the necessary steps required for certification.

To get HACCP certified, businesses must first complete an application process which includes providing documentation related to their operations such as recipes, flow charts, hazard analysis reports, etc. After submitting the application, businesses will need to undergo an audit by an accredited third-party organization in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of getting HACCP certified depends on several factors such as size and complexity of operations as well as the type of audit being conducted. Generally speaking, costs can range from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars depending on these factors.

Do You Really Need a Packaging Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and preferences. If someone is looking to enter into a career in the packaging industry, then it would be beneficial for them to obtain a Packaging Technician Certificate. This certification can provide a person with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field.

A certificate program typically includes coursework in topics such as packaging design, materials science, quality control and safety regulations. It also provides students with hands-on experience in a variety of packaging processes and procedures. By obtaining a certificate, a person can demonstrate their abilities and qualifications in the field and gain an advantage over other applicants when seeking employment opportunities.

However, if someone is already experienced in the packaging industry or has completed some relevant training courses, they may not need to pursue a Packaging Technician Certificate. In these cases, employers may be more interested in seeing evidence of practical experience rather than formal qualifications. For example, being able to demonstrate that you have worked on actual projects or have been involved with product launches could be just as valuable as having a certificate.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs to pursue a Packaging Technician Certificate depends on their individual situation and circumstances. If you are confident that you possess the skills necessary for success in this field without obtaining any additional certifications then you may be able to progress without one; however, if you feel that additional qualifications will help you stand out from other applicants then it could be worth considering getting your Packaging Technician Certificate.

Related: Packaging Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Packaging Technician Certifications

1. What are the prerequisites for becoming a Packaging Technician?

Answer: Prerequisites for becoming a Packaging Technician vary depending on the employer, but generally include a high school diploma or GED, along with specialized training in packaging and production processes.

2. What is the average salary of a Packaging Technician?

Answer: The average salary of a Packaging Technician can range from $25,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

3. What type of certification is available for Packaging Technicians?

Answer: Certification for Packaging Technicians is offered through various organizations such as the International Institute of Packaging Professionals (IIPP), the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP), and the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Packaging Technician?

Answer: The amount of time needed to become certified as a Packaging Technician varies based on experience level and the organization offering certification, but typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete all requirements.

5. Are there continuing education requirements for maintaining certification as a Packaging Technician?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require that their certified professionals maintain their credentials by completing ongoing continuing education courses or other requirements every few years in order to remain current in their knowledge and skillset.