Assistive Listening Knowledge Base
  • Qualification program rules

Qualification Program Reference Document, version 5

From https://assistivelisteningknowledgebase.org/evidence/bluetooth-sig-2026-qprd/ · record checked 13 October 2026

  • Bluetooth SIG

Standards body (Bluetooth SIG, an industry association funded by its member companies, which owns the Auracast trademark; technical qualification rules)

Summary

The SIG’s qualification rules distinguish reuse of an unchanged design from new designs, define test evidence and review, and specify which product details the public can see.

Key findings

  • Sections 2 and 3 require a member to identify its product, design, specifications and supported features, submit the required information under its own account, and retain responsibility for accuracy and meeting the specifications.
  • Option 1 in section 3.2.1 allows a single unchanged existing design with a Design Number, Qualified Design ID or Declaration ID. Table 3.2 marks a new feature statement, test declaration and test reports as not applicable for this route.
  • For new designs, sections 3.2.2.3–3.2.2.5 require a feature consistency check and generate a test plan when testing is required. The plan includes new or modified layers and applicable interoperability tests; the exact requirements depend on the feature statement and selected Test Case Reference List package.
  • Mandatory test cases must pass, subject to permitted inconclusive outcomes or an approved Test Coverage Waiver. Previous evidence may be reused for unaffected tests after changes that do not alter the feature statement; the member remains responsible.
  • Appendix A requires validated test systems and a Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility or Bluetooth Recognized Test Facility for Category A tests in the specified radio, controller and lower interface layers. Other Category A tests and Category B tests can be performed by the member, a test facility or a third party, under their respective tool requirements.
  • Appendix A makes Category X supplementary interoperability tests optional. These address scenarios without a direct specification reference and are recommended to improve interoperability.
  • Section 3.5 describes SIG review of submitted material, including valid test reports, approved waivers and the specified Core Configuration. Approval leads to a Qualified Product database entry.
  • Table 4.1 makes the member name, product name, model number, description and product website public from the publication date. The feature statement and Test Case Reference List version are available to members, rather than the public.
  • Appendix A.3 requires test reports to identify the tested hardware and software versions, test suite and system versions, and the test cases and outcomes.

Limits

Process requirements, not a test report for any named device or venue. Version 5 has a version date of 21 April 2026; the HTML address can serve later revisions. Its test requirements must be read with the selected specifications and test package.

Read the original

www.bluetooth.com/wp-content/uploads/Files/Specification/HTML/QPRD/out/en/index-en.html

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Cited in

Cite this source

Bluetooth SIG. Qualification Program Reference Document, version 5. 21 April 2026. https://www.bluetooth.com/wp-content/uploads/Files/Specification/HTML/QPRD/out/en/index-en.html (accessed 13 October 2026).

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