Making sure millions of products work flawlessly with one another is the goal of the NFC Forum Certification Program. Unlike many other Standards Development Organizations, NFC Forum Certification is open to non-members.
Three Ways to Get Certified
Fast Path
Inheritance
Designed for products built with NFC Forum Certified components or subsystems (Platform). Generally focused on analog testing by Authorized Test Labs ; or
Designed for products already NFC Forum certified undergoing an Operating System (OS) update and no hardware modification. Generally focused on digital testing by Authorized Test Labs.
Identify digital inheritable Test Modules (Only Platform)
Identify NFC stack changes (Only OS)
Declare no hardware modification (Only OS)
Complete an ICS/IXIT
Collaborate with a Test Lab
Apply with Summary Test Report
Receive Certificate and Listing
Comprehensive
Full Certification
Designed for products with extensive digital and analog testing performed by an Authorized Test Lab. Certification Fee is waived with Signed Test Report from 3rd Party Lab.
- Determine Certification Release
- Complete a ICS/IXIT
- Collaborate with a Test Lab
- Apply with Summary Test Report
- Receive Certificate and Listing
Reasons to Get Certified
Interoperability
Deliver a memorable user experience when your product works seamlessly with other products. NFC Forum testing extends to both analog and digital features of contactless connections.
Quality Assurance
Compliance ensures your product will work as customers expected. Whether you are building the next killer product, installing thousands of readers, or deploying millions of tags, the best insurance policy of success is through testing.
Product Differentiation
Stand out in your market by taking the steps necessary to prove compliance to the NFC Forum specification. There is a fast track option for products that embed already compliant NFC technology.
Affordability
NFC Forum Certification is offered at no cost for organizations that can provide a signed test case from a NFC Forum Test Lab. Additionally, Certification is available to any company - both members and non-members alike.
Fast Path
Inheritance
Designed for products built with NFC Forum Certified components or subsystems (Platform). Generally focused on analog testing by Authorized Test Labs ; or
Designed for products already NFC Forum certified undergoing an Operating System (OS) update and no hardware modification. Generally focused on digital testing by Authorized Test Labs.
Prepare forms for certification
Platform
Select which active Certification Release you want to pass certification
Complete the Inheritance Acknowledgement Form within the Certification Application
Select the Device Class defined in the Devices Requirements associated to the Certification Release
Operating System Update
Identify analog and digital test modules which can be inherited from the certified implementation
Generate & Fill in ICS/IXIT template from TPG tool. Either create it yourself on https://nfc-forum-itp.com or ask the Authorized Test Lab to provide it to you. You can create an account on TPG tool by sending an email to [email protected]
Test at an Authorized Test Labs
Contact one of the listed Authorized Test Labs
Validate with the Authorized Test Lab your ICS/IXIT template and Product Registration form are correctly completed
Ship your device for testing to the Authorized Test Lab
Receive the Summary Test Report made by the Authorized Test Lab
Note: In case the OS update has no impact on the NFC Stack, the testing at the Authorized Test Lab may be not required.
Apply for certification on NFC Forum website
Visit the NFC Forum Website
Fill out the Certification Registration Form and apply
Wait for an email from the NFC Forum certification system ([email protected]) to verify your account
In the received email, click “Continue Certification Submission” to verify your email and continue the process
Fill out the form and upload your documents for certification:
Inheritance Acknowledge Form
ICS/IXIT template
Summary Test Report signed by the Authorized Test Lab
Once your application is processed, you will receive your certificate by email.
Note : Your device will be published on the NFC Forum website per the option indicated on your application form.
Comprehensive
Full Certification
Designed for products with extensive digital and analog testing performed by an Authorized Test Lab. Certification Fee is waived with Signed Test Report from 3rd Party Lab.
Prepare forms for certification
Select which active Certification Release you want to pass certification
Select the Device Class defined in the Devices Requirements associated to the Certification Release
Generate & Fill in ICS/IXIT template from TPG tool. Either create it yourself on https://nfc-forum-itp.com or ask the Authorized Test Lab to provide it to you. You can create an account on TPG tool by sending an email to [email protected]
Test at an Authorized Test Labs
Contact one of the listed Authorized Test Labs.
Validate with the Authorized Test Lab your ICS/IXIT template and Product Registration form is properly completed
Ship your device for testing to the Authorized Test Lab
Receive the Summary Test Report made by the Authorized Test Lab
Apply for certification on NFC Forum website
Visit the NFC Forum Website
Fill out the Certification Registration Form and apply
Wait for an email from the NFC Forum certification system ([email protected]) to verify your account
In the received email, click “Continue Certification Submission” to verify your email and continue the process
Fill out the form and upload your documents for certification:
Product Registration Form
ICS/IXIT template
Summary Test Report signed by the Authorized Test Lab
Once your application is processed, you will receive your certificate by email
Note : Your device will be published on the NFC Forum website per the option indicated on your application form
Derivate
Rename
Designed for already NFC Forum Certified products or subsystems that are being renamed or rebranded. Only requires reference certification. Fee is $250.
Prepare forms for certification
- Fill in Re-Name Form
Apply for certification on NFC Forum website
- Visit the NFC Forum Website
- Fill out the Certification Registration Form and apply
- Wait for email from the NFC Forum certification system ([email protected]) to verify your account
- In the received email, click “Continue Certification Submission” to verify your account and continue the process
- Fill out the form and apply
- Pay the Rename Certification fee of $250 online by credit card or choose to receive an invoice
- Once the Rename Certification fee is paid, you will receive your certificate by email
Note : Your device will be published on the NFC Forum website per the option indicated on your application form
Additional Resources
There is a wealth of additional technical and business information on our Certification Resources page including: