FAQ for NPIP Workshops

Last Updated: 05/10/2022

Details about Workshop Registrations are under the menu option Laboratory Information. Frequently Asked Questions about workshops can be found below.

1. Q: How did COVID-19 Impact Workshops?
A. Due to social distancing guidelines and wariness surrounding group gatherings, workshops in 2021 will be tentatively scheduled as virtual or remote learning options. The virtual options will be different than our in-person workshops as they will be limited in content and will not provide the wet lab portion of the workshop. The purpose of the virtual option is an effort to allow overdue laboratories to stay in compliance with the 9-CFR. Currently, the option to register for these workshops will be given via email invitation to laboratories that are overdue for training. The NPIP National Office hopes to return to regular in-person workshops as soon as possible.

2. Q: What is an NPIP workshop?
A. Workshops are held for the NPIP authorized laboratories and counts towards technician training (see 9-CFR 147.52). There are workshops held for each of the program diseases (Salmonella, Avian Influenza and Mycoplasma).

3. Q: Who needs to attend the workshop?
A. Individuals from NPIP authorized laboratories who are due for training are required to attend per the NPIP authorized laboratory requirements in 147.52 . For example, laboratories which last sent an individual to complete training in 2020 are due for an employee to receive training in 2024.

4. Q: What do I do if the technician that last attended the workshop in the past 4 years has left the lab?
A. Please send an email to the laboratory coordinator, Dr. Katy Burden at kathryn.burden@usda.gov indicating that your technician is no longer employed, please include your laboratory's name and address and the person who left employment at the laboratory.

5. Q: How do I register for an NPIP Authorized workshop?
A. Registration links are sent to laboratories that need to register based on workshop attendance in the last 4 years. These invitations will be sent approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the workshop dates.

6. Q: If I don't receive an email invitation can I still register for the workshop?
A. Laboratories receiving an email invitation are given priority registration to stay in compliance with 9-CFR 147.52, and are typically asked to sign up during a priority registration period, which usually lasts for 2 weeks. Following this 2 week period, if there is still space available in the workshop, announcements and/or registration links may be made via the NPIP website at http://www.poultryimprovement.org or via email.

7. Q: What is priority registration?
A. Priority registration recognizes the laboratories which are either:
  1. due for training based on attendance to workshops in the past 4 years or
  2. Are experiencing a significant change in laboratory personnel
  3. Have been directed by the OSA to add new tests to the offered tests
If the laboratory has had or anticipates an event as described above that prevents compliance, the laboratory director should contact the NPIP Laboratory Coordinator, Dr. Katy Burden at kathryn.burden@usda.gov

8. Q: How much does the in-person workshop cost?
A. $500.00

9. Q: If the dates of the in-person workshop are on March 1 and 2, 2016, for example, when should I arrive?
A. A. We suggest that you plan to arrive the day before the start date of the workshop and plan to depart on the day after the end date of the workshop.

10. Q: How many workshops are planned per year and what happens if I cannot attend?
A. Most years, the NPIP will host between 3-5 workshops total. Of these there is generally 1 Mycoplasma Workshop, 1-2 Avian Influenza Workshops and 1-2 Salmonella Workshops. If you cannot attend, you will either need to send a substitute to meet compliance requirements or work with the NPIP National Office to understand your options. Contingency plans are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and approved or denied according to situation and space availability.

11. Q: Can my laboratory send more than one individual when it's my priority year?
A. NPIP conducted a survey in 2015 among authorized laboratories. The results of this survey led to the planning of the number of workshops for the future. The number is based on laboratories meeting the CFR requirement, which is one technician every four years. Your laboratory may or may not be able to send an additional person when it is your laboratory's priority year and will be dependent on how many other laboratories require training that year.

12. Q: How many slots are available for this training?
A. The number of spots available is determined by several factors such as venue and supplies. 30 participants are typically the maximum, although this number may be reduced.

13. Q: How does an attendee provide proof of attendance?
A. Each student must earn a workshop certificate, that is provided to the student on the last day of the workshop. Students must complete all components of the workshop, including participation in lectures and laboratories, to successfully earn a certificate. A copy of the certificate will need to be kept on file at the Laboratory for reference during the OSA State Site Visit and the NPIP Service Review.

14. Q: Can participants receive veterinary continuing education credits for this workshop?
A. Currently we do not offer veterinary continuing education credits for any workshops.

15. Q: Are the workshops always located in Georgia?
A. No. Traditionally, we have workshops hosted at the University of Georgia Poultry Diagnostic Research Center in Athens, GA and the Georgia Poultry Laboratory in Gainesville, GA. However, the NPIP is open to collaborate with other locations depending on demand for the workshop and location of the workshop teachers. Other locations where we have held workshops include Fayetteville, AR and West Lafayette, IN.

16. Q: Why can't we have a workshop in my state?
A. Workshops are a collaborative effort from many people, most of which volunteer time and energy without extra pay or compensation. Additionally, funding, available space and equipment, and other logistics contribute to a successful workshop. Finding the appropriate mix of all necessary components to give students the best experience possible can be a challenge. If you would like to host a workshop in your state, we suggest that you identify key resources for a more thorough discussion with NPIP.

17. Q: Can I change my priority year for when I am naturally due to attend?
A. Laboratories who wish to change their natural 4-year cycle will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Laboratories that are interested in changing the 4-year cycle for when they are naturally due for technician training (e.g., the laboratory technician last attended in 2013 and will be due next in 2017, 2021, etc. but the lab wishes to change the cycle to 2016, 2020, etc.) should contact the NPIP office.

Please find your state and contact the Official State Agent for information on becoming an NPIP participant and import requirements.