The Best Equipment Validation Course to Learn IQ OQ PQ
Choosing the right Equipment Validation training course to learn IQ OQ PQ is crucial for professionals in regulated industries seeking to ensure compliance, boost job performance, and advance their careers.
There are a lot of Validation programs available ranging from self-paced online modules to intensive, tutor-led workshops course features, delivery formats, support structures, and pricing can vary significantly.
This comparison outlines key aspects of leading Equipment Validation training providers, including:
- GetReskilled – Equipment Validation (IQ OQ PQ) Training Course
- ATU / NIBRT – Certificate in Commissioning, Qualification and Validation for Biologics (Level 9)
- NIBRT – National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training
- SQT Training – Process Validation & Equipment Validation
- UCC – University College Cork, Ireland – Validation Science Level 7
- NSF Learning – Process Validation and Equipment Qualification
- ISPE – Commissioning and Qualification Training Course
to help you choose the course that best fits your learning style, professional needs, and budget.
🎯 Best Overall Equipment Validation Course for Career Outcomes
🏆 GetReskilled – Equipment Validation (IQ OQ PQ) Training Course
Type: Online, typically 15 weeks part-time (fast-track options advertised).
Why:
Very hands-on – you build out a large IQ/OQ/PQ protocol for a system (e.g. CIP), plus QRM workshops (FTA, FMEA) and multiple equipment-qualification workshops.
- A real-world project portfolio where you have to populate and execute a 120-page IQ OQ PQ protocol to qualify a Clean-In-Place (CIP) system taken from Pfizer and MSD construction sites in Ireland
- Weekly structure and deliverables
- Personal coaching and support
- Deep coverage of system and component impact assessments and how read P&IDS
- Strong emphasis on risk-based validation
- Spaced learning to aid long-term retention
Ideal for:
- Career changers entering pharma/biotech
- Commissioning & Qualification Experience: In any industry, such as Oil and Gas, Food Manufacturing, etc.
- Plumber/Pipefitter/Pipe Welders
- Those with GMP Manufacturing Experience
- Quality Assurance or Quality Control Personnel in Pharma
- Engineers or Scientists
- Validation Professionals
- Anyone needing job-ready output and guided learning
Drawbacks:
- Higher cost (€2,699–€3,999)
- No live classes (although support is strong)
💼 Best Academic Validation Course (Accredited Award)
🎓 ATU / NIBRT – Certificate in Commissioning, Qualification and Validation for Biologics (Level 9)
Type:
1-year, part-time online NFQ Level 9 certificate.
Why:
ATU / NIBRT provides a structured, semester-based course with live tutorials and academic rigor. Focuses on CQV concepts for modern biopharma plants, process validation lifecycle, risk analysis; practicals on FAT/SAT, IQ, OQ, walkdowns, P&IDs, CPV.
Ideal for:
- Professionals who want Advanced / postgrad formal academic credential in CQV.
- Learners who prefer scheduled lectures and tutor interaction
Drawbacks:
- No practical project or portfolio
- Limited career/job support
- Less flexible schedule
💻 Best Low-Cost Self-Paced Option
💸 NSF Learning – Process Validation and Equipment Qualification
Why:
These are affordable, on-demand options ideal for gaining a surface-level understanding of Equipment Validation
Ideal for:
- People exploring Equipment Validation for the first time
- Budget-conscious learners
- Supplementing other training
Drawbacks:
- No project, feedback, or coaching
- No weekly structure
- Weak long-term retention
🧑🏫 Best for Live, In-Person or Group-Led Learning
👥 NIBRT – Introduction to Commissioning, Qualification and Validation
Why:
These providers offer live training with instructor interaction, which is valuable for collaborative learners.
Ideal for:
- Learners who prefer live group learning
- Teams attending together
Drawbacks:
- Compressed into 2 days
- No long-term support, projects, or retention tools
- Limited assessment: An MCQ quiz will be taken at the end of the course. Attendees will receive results and a certificate of completion.
- Less flexibility
📌 Final Recommendation by Goal
| Goal | Best Course |
|---|---|
| Real world project & coaching | ✅ GetReskilled |
| Accredited academic certificate | 🎓 ATU/NIBRT |
| Low-cost Equipment Validation overview | 💸 NSF |
| Prefer live/classroom interaction | 👥 NIBRT |
| Metric | GetReskilled | ATU / NIBRT PGCert | NIBRT (2-day CQV) | SQT (3-day PV/EQ) | UCC CPD Cert | NSF (Self-paced) | ISPE C&Q (T40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Format | 100% online, asynchronous (Moodle-based learning) | Part-time online + scheduled live evening classes | In-person classroom training | Live virtual or in-person classroom | Online delivery + industry-focused workshops | Fully self-paced online | Live online or onsite corporate delivery |
| Workload / Time | ~12 hours/week for 15 weeks, or 15 days full-time | ~15–18 hours/week across full academic year | 2 consecutive full-time training days | 3 consecutive full-time days | 1 evening per week (Oct–May) | ~4.5 total hours of content | 4 half-days + structured pre-work |
| Fixed Weekly Structure | Yes, structured weekly study plan | Yes, semester-based timetable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Yes, organised into module units | No fixed weekly schedule | Not applicable |
| Weekly Content Release | Yes, content released weekly (“gated”) | No, access is module-wide | No | No | Yes, released per module unit | No | No |
| Progress Monitoring | Strong weekly tracking, reminders, and pacing controls | Moderate academic progress tracking | Low (primarily session attendance) | Low (end-course check only) | Moderate tracking via MCQs & tasks | Low | Low–Moderate (varies by cohort) |
| Weekly Deliverables | Yes — weekly booklets, quizzes & tasks | Some continuous assessments but not weekly | No | No | Some MCQs / short tasks | No | No |
| Live Classes | No live classes | Yes — scheduled live academic sessions | Yes — delivered in-person | Yes — delivered live | Some optional live webinars | No | Yes — delivered live |
| Accountability Coach | Yes — dedicated accountability support | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Risk-Based Validation Emphasis | Strong applied focus | Strong academic + applied | Strong industry-practical | Strong applied | Moderate–Strong | Strong | Very Strong (industry-standard) |
| Support | High, proactive learner support | Standard academic support | Basic in-class support | Tutor guidance | Academic + career-oriented support | Platform-based support | Instructor interaction & guidance |
| Feedback on Assignments | Detailed written feedback | Yes, academic feedback | Minimal | Some practical feedback | Yes, structured marking feedback | Minimal | Some feedback |
| Assessment | Weekly tasks + graded assignments | Continuous academic assessment | MCQ test | End-course written test | MCQs + written assignments | Online quizzes | Learning assessments (varied formats) |
| End-of-Module Assignment | Yes — graded assignment | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Build Project Portfolio | Yes, project-based portfolio | Some evidence portfolio | No | No | Some project/task elements | No | No |
| Certificate of Award | Yes — industry certificate | Level 9 Postgraduate Certificate | Yes — course certificate | Yes — course certificate | Level 7 Certificate | Yes — course certificate | Yes — ISPE certification |
| Spaced Learning for Retention | Yes — built-in spaced repetition | Yes — semester pacing | No | No | Yes | Optional | No |
| Learning Transfer to Job | Very High — workplace-ready tasks | High | Moderate | High | High | Moderate | Very High |
| Learning Retention | High | Moderate–High | Low | Moderate | High | Low–Moderate | Moderate |
| Flexibility | High — fully online & self-paced weekly | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium | Very High — fully self-paced | Medium |
| Fast Track Available | Yes — optional accelerated path | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Payment Plan Available | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Price | €3,199 or €699/month × 5 (full-time option €4,499) | €6,000 (Springboard €550/free where eligible) | €1,990–2,150 | ~€995 | €1,375 | £250 + VAT | US$1,930–2,230 |