Wi-Fi Alliance certification: paths, fees, Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED is a private programme: the Wi-Fi Alliance, an industry consortium, tests products for interoperability and security and licenses the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and certification marks to members whose products pass. It sits beside, never in place of, the radio law: RED article 3.2 in the European Union, 47 CFR 15.247 and 15.407 in the United States. This page sets out what the Alliance itself publishes in October 2026: the three certification paths (FlexTrack, QuickTrack, derivative), the membership dues and the fee schedule effective January 1, 2026, the list of Authorized Test Laboratories, the WPA3 requirement, the Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7 dates, and the 6 GHz power classes the products must also respect under FCC and EU rules.
What the Wi-Fi Alliance is
Section titled “What the Wi-Fi Alliance is”The Alliance was created in 1999 as the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA), and its first certification dates from 2000; its press releases are datelined Austin, Texas. It does not write the radio standard: IEEE 802.11 does. The Alliance turns parts of 802.11 into certification programmes with test plans and adds its own specifications (Wi-Fi Easy Connect, Wi-Fi EasyMesh, Passpoint and others).
The two do not run in a fixed order. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 launched on January 8, 2024, eight months before the IEEE SA Standards Board approved 802.11be-2024 (September 26, 2024); the amendment was published on July 22, 2025.
Two separate dossiers
Section titled “Two separate dossiers”| Aspect | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED | Radio law (RED / FCC) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Private programme, membership contract and certification mark licence | Public law |
| Run by | Wi-Fi Alliance | Manufacturer under the RED (with a notified body where required); TCB or FCC for an FCC grant |
| Checks | Interoperability, security (WPA3, PMF), programme features | Spectrum use, power, emissions, safety, EMC |
| Reference | Wi-Fi Alliance test plans and specifications, built on IEEE 802.11 | EN 300 328, EN 301 893, EN 303 687, 47 CFR 15.247 and 15.407 |
| Output | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED listing in the Product Finder, right to use the certification marks | EU declaration of conformity, FCC ID |
See the RED pillar, RED standards and the FCC pillar for the radio side.
Wi-Fi certification dates, 1999 to 2026
Section titled “Wi-Fi certification dates, 1999 to 2026”| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) formed, later renamed Wi-Fi Alliance | Wi-Fi Alliance, February 15, 2024 |
| 2000 | First Wi-Fi certification | Explore All Technologies page |
| September 16, 2019 | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 available for IEEE 802.11ax devices; it requires WPA3 | Wi-Fi Alliance release |
| 2020 | WPA3 support required in all new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices | WPA3 highlights, February 2026 |
| January 7, 2021 | 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) certification added as part of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 | Wi-Fi Alliance release |
| January 5, 2022 | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 Release 2 (uplink MU-MIMO, power management features) | Wi-Fi Alliance release |
| January 8, 2024 | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 launched | Wi-Fi Alliance release |
| March 8, 2024 | FCC: very low power (VLP) devices allowed in U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 | 89 FR 874 |
| September 26, 2024 | IEEE 802.11be-2024 approved by the IEEE SA Standards Board | IEEE SA |
| May 5, 2025 | FCC: VLP devices allowed across 5.925-7.125 GHz | 90 FR 11373 |
| July 22, 2025 | IEEE 802.11be-2024 published | IEEE SA |
| January 1, 2026 | Current certification fee schedule takes effect | Membership Benefits page |
| January 6, 2026 | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 extended to client devices operating only in 20 MHz channels | Wi-Fi Alliance release |
| April 27, 2026 | FCC: geofenced variable power devices in U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 | 91 FR 9140 |
The Alliance already presents Wi-Fi 8 as the next generation on its MAC/PHY page; it gives no certification date there.
Membership: levels and published dues
Section titled “Membership: levels and published dues”Membership runs from January 1 to December 31. The Alliance publishes the dues on its Become a Member page.
| Level | Annual dues (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contributor | 25,000 | Prorated quarterly when joining during the year; votes at the Annual General Meeting |
| Implementer | 6,000 | No proration |
| Affiliate | Covered by the parent | A subsidiary under a Contributor (or Sponsor) member in good standing |
| Small Business Introductory Participant | 7,725 | Benefits similar to Contributor, but not a voting member under section 4.1 of the Alliance by-laws; half-year proration possible |
| Small Business Introductory Implementer | 2,575 | Same benefits as Implementer; no proration |
The two Small Business Introductory levels are open to new members with annual revenue below USD 10 million, for the first two years of membership, and can be used only once. Some Alliance pages also mention a Sponsor level (QuickTrack eligibility, Affiliate parents), but no Sponsor dues are published.
To join, a company must show a legitimate business interest and public support for Wi-Fi, for example by shipping Wi-Fi products or chipsets, or by a press release.
What each level may certify
Section titled “What each level may certify”The Membership Benefits table splits rights into two columns: Contributor / Affiliate / Small Business Introductory Participant, and Implementer / Small Business Introductory Implementer.
| Right | Contributor, Affiliate, SBI Participant | Implementer, SBI Implementer |
|---|---|---|
| Derivative certification of a product built from a currently certified Wi-Fi device | Yes | Yes |
| QuickTrack certification | Yes | No |
| FlexTrack certification at an ATL | Yes | No |
| Access to Wi-Fi Alliance test plans | Yes | No |
| Develop Source Products or Qualified Solutions for other members | Yes | No |
| Draft documents and email reflectors of programmes in development | Yes | No |
| Task group votes (one vote per company) | Yes | No |
| Use the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and certification marks for certified products | Yes | Yes |
| List products in the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Product Finder | Yes | Yes |
In short: an Implementer cannot bring a new Wi-Fi design to certification. It can only certify products that reuse a certified design, such as an unmodified certified module.
Certification fees effective January 1, 2026
Section titled “Certification fees effective January 1, 2026”| Certification | Contributor, Affiliate, SBI Participant | Implementer, SBI Implementer |
|---|---|---|
| New product, FlexTrack path | USD 750 per product, plus ATL testing fees | Not available |
| New product, QuickTrack path | USD 750 per product, plus ATL testing fees if applicable | Not available |
| Derivative of your own company's Wi-Fi CERTIFIED product | USD 750 per derivative; USD 100 per product after 16 certified products from the same source | Not available |
| Derivative integrating an unmodified, certified Wi-Fi module or system | USD 750 per derivative; USD 100 per product after 16 from the same source | USD 4,000 per derivative product |
| Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Home Design floor plan | USD 750 per unit; USD 100 per unit after 75 in a calendar year | Not listed |
ATL testing fees are set by each laboratory and are not published by the Alliance. The gap between USD 750 and USD 4,000 per derivative is the main cost difference between the two membership columns, to be weighed against the USD 19,000 difference in annual dues.
The three certification paths
Section titled “The three certification paths”The Alliance describes three primary paths on its How to Certify page.
| Path | Intended for | Where testing happens | Who may use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlexTrack | Highly differentiated products built from the ground up, with a high degree of Wi-Fi customisation | Authorized Test Laboratory, mainly with the Wi-Fi Test Suite | Contributor, Affiliate, SBI Participant |
| QuickTrack | Products based on Qualified Solutions (modules, chipsets and other solutions already tested), allowing targeted changes to Wi-Fi functionality | On site at the member company or at an ATL, with the QuickTrack Test Tool | Contributor, Affiliate, SBI Participant (the How to Certify page also names Sponsor) |
| Derivative | Products using an identical Wi-Fi design, for example several television models with the same Wi-Fi module | No additional testing | All levels, including Implementer |
QuickTrack is available for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 and Wi-Fi 6E operation, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac and n, Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, Wi-Fi Data Elements, Protected Management Frames, WPA2, WPA3, Wi-Fi Enhanced Open, Wi-Fi Protected Setup and Wi-Fi Direct. The QuickTrack Test Tool and the Wi-Fi Test Suite software packages require a Test Software Subscription. Open-source parts of the Wi-Fi Test Suite are published under the ISC License.
Typical sequence
Section titled “Typical sequence”- Check the module. Search the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Product Finder for the module or system, or ask its maker for the certification details.
- Pick the path. Unmodified certified module: derivative path. Qualified Solution with targeted Wi-Fi changes: QuickTrack. Own Wi-Fi design: FlexTrack.
- Pick the membership level that allows that path (the Implementer level only allows derivatives).
- Request system access. A single sign-on account gives access to the members-only website and the certification system; the Alliance asks for one business day to process the request.
- Test (FlexTrack or QuickTrack only), at an ATL or, for QuickTrack, on site.
- Submit and pay the certification fee.
- Use the marks for the certified product, following the Brand Style Guide, and keep the Product Finder listing accurate.
Recertification rules are in the Alliance governing document "Certification Overview, Recertification"; check the current version before changing hardware or firmware on a certified product.
Authorized Test Laboratories, October 2026
Section titled “Authorized Test Laboratories, October 2026”On October 7, 2026 the Where to Certify page lists twelve ATLs.
| Laboratory | Locations listed |
|---|---|
| Allion Labs, Inc. | Taiwan, China |
| Bureau Veritas | Taiwan |
| China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, CTTL Terminals | China |
| DEKRA | China, Spain, Taiwan |
| Element | U.S.A. |
| Eurofins TA Technology | China |
| SGS Group | Taiwan, Japan, Korea |
| Shenzhen Academy of Information and Communications Technology | China |
| State Radio Monitoring Center Testing Center (SRTC) | China |
| Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) | Korea |
| TÜV Rheinland Group | Japan, Korea |
| Wipro Limited | India |
DEKRA in Spain is the only European location on the list, and Element the only North American one. The Alliance tells members to contact laboratories directly for logistics and pricing, and publishes a separate document on certification laboratory availability per programme.
Programmes and certification marks
Section titled “Programmes and certification marks”The Alliance groups its technologies into Access, Alternative topologies, Applications, Network management, Performance, Security, Wi-Fi (MAC/PHY) and segment-specific certifications. The main ones for product makers:
| Category | Technology | What the Alliance says it does |
|---|---|---|
| MAC/PHY | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 | 320 MHz channels in 6 GHz, Multi-Link Operation, 4K QAM, 512 Compressed Block Ack, multiple RUs to a single station |
| MAC/PHY | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 (including Wi-Fi 6E operation) | IEEE 802.11ax: OFDMA, multi-user MIMO, 160 MHz channels, target wake time, 1024 QAM, transmit beamforming; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz |
| MAC/PHY | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac and n, Wi-Fi HaLow, WiGig | Earlier generations, sub-1 GHz, 60 GHz |
| Security | WPA3, Wi-Fi Enhanced Open, Protected Management Frames | Authentication and encryption; unauthenticated encryption for open networks; protection of management frames |
| Access | Passpoint, Wi-Fi Easy Connect, Wi-Fi Protected Setup | Automated network authentication; provisioning of devices without a rich interface (the Easy Connect specification uses Wi-Fi Easy Connect and DPP, Device Provisioning Protocol, interchangeably) |
| Topologies | Wi-Fi EasyMesh, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Aware | Multi-AP networks; device-to-device links without infrastructure |
| Applications | Miracast, Wi-Fi Location | Content display between devices; meter-level indoor location |
| Segment | Wi-Fi Vantage, Wi-Fi for Matter, Wi-Fi for XR | Operator and enterprise network management; Wi-Fi requirements of the CSA Matter certification; XR connectivity |
The Alliance states that Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices are required to include WPA3 protections. A Wi-Fi 7 IoT client does not have to support wide channels any more: since January 6, 2026 a client operating only in 20 MHz channels can be certified Wi-Fi 7, with features such as Multi-Link Operation, DL/UL MU-MIMO and multiple RUs.
Public brands and certification marks
Section titled “Public brands and certification marks”The Our Brands page separates two groups:
- Brands for public use, license free: among them Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E and 7, WPA3, Wi-Fi Direct, Passpoint, Miracast and Wi-Fi Easy Connect. Members, non-members, partners and media may use them to describe products, technology, network deployments and operating system support.
- Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and certification marks (Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3 and the others): a company must be a member and achieve certification to use them.
The Brand Style Guide and the Certification Mark License Agreement set the rules of use.
WPA3 and Protected Management Frames
Section titled “WPA3 and Protected Management Frames”WPA3 support has been required in all new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices since 2020, and its use is mandatory in the 6 GHz band (WPA3 highlights, February 2026). WPA3 networks require Protected Management Frames, and PMF is required for all new certified devices. For mixed networks, WPA3 has a transition mode; the Alliance notes that some legacy or uncertified clients misbehave with it and has released a WPA3-Personal compatibility mode as an alternative. Detailed security requirements are on the members-only site.
6 GHz: what the radio rules allow
Section titled “6 GHz: what the radio rules allow”Wi-Fi certification covers 6 GHz operation, but power and location limits come from the radio rules, and they differ by region.
United States, 47 CFR 15.407(a) as of October 7, 2026
Section titled “United States, 47 CFR 15.407(a) as of October 7, 2026”| Device | Paragraph | Max EIRP | Max PSD | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard power AP and fixed client (U-NII-5, U-NII-7) | (a)(4) | 36 dBm | 23 dBm/MHz | Under an AFC system |
| Client of a standard power AP | (a)(8)(i) | 30 dBm | 17 dBm/MHz | 6 dB below its AP |
| Low-power indoor (LPI) AP, 5.925-7.125 GHz | (a)(5) | 30 dBm | 5 dBm/MHz | Indoor only ((d)(3)), integrated antenna ((a)(10)), label and manual statement ((d)(4)) |
| Subordinate device of an indoor AP | (a)(6) | 30 dBm | 5 dBm/MHz | Indoor only |
| Client of an indoor AP | (a)(8)(ii) | 24 dBm | -1 dBm/MHz | Indoor only |
| Very low power (VLP) device, 5.925-7.125 GHz | (a)(9) | 14 dBm | -5 dBm/MHz | Integrated antenna; whole band since May 5, 2025 |
| Geofenced variable power AP (U-NII-5, U-NII-7) | (a)(7) | 24 dBm | 11 dBm/MHz | Integrated antenna; rules effective April 27, 2026 |
| Client of a geofenced variable power AP | (a)(8)(iii) | 18 dBm | 5 dBm/MHz | 6 dB below its AP |
All values are EIRP. The maximum channel bandwidth in 5.925-7.125 GHz is 320 MHz (15.407(a)(11)), which is what Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 uses. 15.407(d)(1) bars every 6 GHz category from oil platforms and aircraft, except VLP devices and low-power indoor APs in large aircraft above 10,000 feet in 5.925-6.425 GHz, and bars standard power, fixed client and indoor APs from cars, trains and boats. See FCC standards for the full table.
European Union
Section titled “European Union”EN 303 687 V1.1.1, cited under the RED by Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/893, covers 5 945 to 6 425 MHz and sets a mean EIRP of 23 dBm for LPI and 14 dBm for VLP. It is cited with two restrictions: no presumption for narrowband devices as defined in its clause 3.1, and none if its clause B.7.2 is applied. The EU text has no AFC-controlled standard power class. A product sold in both regions must therefore restrict its 6 GHz channels and power to the jurisdiction where it operates.
The radio side in the EU and the US
Section titled “The radio side in the EU and the US”In the EU, article 3.2 of the RED ( 2014/53/UE ) is met through three harmonised standards, one per band:
- EN 300 328 V2.2.2 for 2.4 GHz (at most 20 dBm e.i.r.p.).
- EN 301 893 V2.2.1 for 5 GHz, with DFS and TPC where the sub-band requires them.
- EN 303 687 V1.1.1 for 6 GHz.
These standards give presumption of conformity because they are cited in the Official Journal (a harmonised standard). Other RED requirements apply as well: health and safety under 3.1(a), EMC under 3.1(b) ( EN 301 489-17 for broadband data equipment), and since August 1, 2025 the article 3(3)(d), (e) and (f) cybersecurity requirements, with EN 18031 parts 1 to 3 cited with restrictions by Decision (EU) 2025/138. See RED standards.
In the US, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is authorised under 47 CFR 15.247 and the U-NII bands at 5 and 6 GHz under 15.407, with DFS radar detection in U-NII-2A and 2C. The grant yields an FCC ID; see FCC scope and EU + US dual certification.
Claims the texts contradict
Section titled “Claims the texts contradict”| Common claim (including this page before October 2026) | What the source says |
|---|---|
| "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6E is a separate programme with its own test specifications." | 6 GHz certification was introduced on January 7, 2021 "as part of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6"; QuickTrack lists "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 and Wi-Fi 6E operation", and the certification marks list has no Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6E. |
| "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 covers 2.4 and 5 GHz only." | The MAC/PHY page says Wi-Fi 6 introduced Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band in addition to 2.4 and 5 GHz. |
| "An 802.11 amendment always precedes the certification programme." | Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 launched on January 8, 2024; IEEE 802.11be-2024 was approved on September 26, 2024 and published on July 22, 2025. |
| "Self-testing is never accepted; ATL testing is mandatory for every submission." | QuickTrack testing "can take place either on site at a member company or at an ATL"; the derivative path needs no additional testing. |
| "A derivative product goes through a reduced test scope centred on integration." | "No additional testing is required for derivative certification" (How to Certify). |
| "Tiers are Contributor, Sponsor, Implementer, Affiliate and Adopter; fees are not public." | No Adopter level exists on the Alliance pages. Dues are published: Contributor USD 25,000, Implementer USD 6,000, Small Business Introductory USD 7,725 and 2,575; Affiliates are covered by their parent. |
| "Implementer is the usual tier and can certify products like any member." | Implementers can only use the derivative path (USD 4,000 per product for an unmodified certified module); FlexTrack, QuickTrack and test plans are reserved to Contributor-type members. |
| "Without certification, a product may not say Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi 6." | Wi-Fi and the generational names Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 7 are brands for public use, license free, to describe products; the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and certification marks are what require membership and certification. |
| "Tests follow Certification Test Specifications (CTS) and a Conformance Measurement Methodology (CMM)." | The Alliance pages speak of test plans, the Wi-Fi Test Suite (with CAPI command scripts) and the QuickTrack Test Tool; the CTS and CMM names do not appear. |
| "Wi-Fi certification checks LPI, SP and VLP compliance." | Power classes are set by 15.407 in the US and by EN 303 687 in the EU; they are checked in the radio dossier, not by the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED programme. |
Common pitfalls
Section titled “Common pitfalls”- Joining at the wrong level. An Implementer membership is cheaper, but it only allows derivatives. A company with its own Wi-Fi design, or a Qualified Solution it changes, needs a Contributor-type level.
- "Unmodified" means unmodified. The derivative path is for identical Wi-Fi designs. Changes to Wi-Fi functionality point to QuickTrack, and a custom design to FlexTrack.
- Using the certification marks too early. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and marks are for certified products only. The license-free Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 7 names can describe a product, but not as a certification claim.
- Forgetting WPA3. WPA3 and PMF are required for new certifications, and WPA3 is mandatory in 6 GHz. A legacy stack without them will not certify.
- Assuming one 6 GHz configuration works everywhere. The US opens 5.925-7.125 GHz with several power classes; EN 303 687 covers 5 945 to 6 425 MHz with LPI and VLP only.
- Budgeting only the Alliance fee. ATL testing fees for FlexTrack (and QuickTrack at an ATL) come on top and are quoted by the laboratory.
Support and related services
Section titled “Support and related services”See also
Section titled “See also”- Wireless certification: the law vs the logo
- HDMI Forum and HDMI LA: device and cable certification
- Matter certification (CSA): process, DAC and DCL
- Qi, Qi2 wireless charging certification (WPC)
- UWB and FiRa Consortium certification
- MFi (Made for iPhone), Apple accessory certification
- FCC standards: Part 15.247 and 15.407 limits
- EU + US dual certification
See also glossary for the AFC, EIRP, DFS and TPC definitions, and the guides Bluetooth SIG qualification, Matter certification together with FCC scope for radio coordination.
Sources & references
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Membership Benefits (product certification fees effective January 1, 2026), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/membership-benefits
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Become a Member (membership dues FAQ), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/become-member
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Small Business Introductory Membership, Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/small-business-introductory-membership
- Wi-Fi Alliance, How to Certify (FlexTrack, QuickTrack, Derivative), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/how-certify
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Where to Certify (Authorized Test Laboratories), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/where-certify
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Our Brands, Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/our-brands
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Explore All Technologies, Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/explore-all-technologies
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi (MAC/PHY), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/wi-fi-macphy
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Security (WPA3, PMF), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/security
- Wi-Fi Alliance, Driving widespread adoption of WPA3 (February 2026), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/system/files/WPA3_Deployment_Options_Highlights_202602.pdf
- Wi-Fi Easy Connect Specification v3.0, Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/system/files/Wi-Fi_Easy_Connect_Specification_v3.0.pdf
- Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 delivers new Wi-Fi era (September 16, 2019), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-certified-6-delivers-new-wi-fi-era
- Wi-Fi Alliance delivers Wi-Fi 6E certification program (January 7, 2021), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-delivers-wi-fi-6e-certification-program
- Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 Release 2 (January 5, 2022), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-certified-6-release-2-adds-new-features-for-advanced-wi-fi-applications
- Wi-Fi Alliance introduces Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 (January 8, 2024), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-introduces-wi-fi-certified-7
- Wi-Fi Alliance celebrates 25 years of Wi-Fi (February 15, 2024), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-celebrates-25-years-of-wi-fi-innovation-and-impact
- Wi-Fi Alliance extends Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 to 20 MHz-only devices (January 6, 2026), Wi-Fi Alliance www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-extends-wi-fi-certified-7-20-mhz-only-devices
- IEEE 802.11be-2024 (board approval September 26, 2024, published July 22, 2025), IEEE SA standards.ieee.org/ieee/802.11be/7516/
- IEEE 802.11 working group, IEEE www.ieee802.org/11/
- 47 CFR 15.407, U-NII general technical requirements (eCFR), eCFR www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-15/section-15.407
- 6 GHz very low power devices, 89 FR 874 (January 8, 2024), Federal Register www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2023-28006/unlicensed-use-of-the-6-ghz-band-and-expanding-flexible-use-in-mid-band-spectrum-between-37-and-24
- VLP devices across the whole 6 GHz band, 90 FR 11373 (March 6, 2025), Federal Register www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/06/2025-02962/unlicensed-use-of-the-6-ghz-band-expanding-flexible-use-in-mid-band-spectrum-between-37-and-24-ghz
- 6 GHz geofenced variable power devices, 91 FR 9140 (February 25, 2026), Federal Register www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/25/2026-03744/unlicensed-use-of-the-6-ghz-band-expanding-flexible-use-in-mid-band-spectrum-between-37-and-24-ghz
- Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/893 (EN 301 893 V2.2.1, EN 303 687), EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/893/oj
- ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2 (2.4 GHz wideband transmission systems), ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/300300_300399/300328/02.02.02_60/en_300328v020202p.pdf
- ETSI EN 301 893 V2.2.1 (5 GHz RLAN), ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/301800_301899/301893/02.02.01_60/en_301893v020201p.pdf
- ETSI EN 303 687 V1.1.1 (6 GHz RLAN), ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/303600_303699/303687/01.01.01_60/en_303687v010101p.pdf
Frequently asked questions
- Does Wi-Fi Alliance certification replace RED or FCC radio certification?
- No. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED is a private interoperability and certification-mark programme of the Wi-Fi Alliance. It does not set or check spectrum limits. In the European Union, article 3.2 of the RED is met through EN 300 328 (2.4 GHz), EN 301 893 (5 GHz) and EN 303 687 (6 GHz); in the United States, Wi-Fi radios are authorised under 47 CFR 15.247 and 15.407. Both tracks are needed and neither replaces the other.
- Do you have to be a Wi-Fi Alliance member to certify a product?
- Yes. The Alliance states that a company must be a member and achieve certification to use the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and certification marks. Published annual dues are USD 25,000 for a Contributor and USD 6,000 for an Implementer; companies with less than USD 10 million revenue can join as Small Business Introductory Participant (USD 7,725) or Implementer (USD 2,575) for their first two years.
- What can an Implementer member certify?
- Only derivative products. The membership benefits table gives Implementers the derivative path (a product built from a currently certified Wi-Fi device, for example an unmodified certified module), at USD 4,000 per derivative product in the fee schedule effective January 1, 2026. FlexTrack, QuickTrack, access to test plans and the ability to create source products for others are reserved to Contributors, Affiliates and Small Business Introductory Participants.
- Is testing at an Authorized Test Lab always mandatory?
- No. FlexTrack testing is done at an Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL). QuickTrack testing can take place on site at a member company or at an ATL, for products based on Qualified Solutions. The derivative path requires no additional testing. On October 7, 2026 the Alliance lists twelve ATLs; DEKRA in Spain is the only listed European site.
- What is the difference between Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 certification?
- Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 (available since September 16, 2019) certifies IEEE 802.11ax devices. Wi-Fi 6E is not a separate programme: 6 GHz certification was added to Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 on January 7, 2021. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 launched on January 8, 2024 with 320 MHz channels in 6 GHz, Multi-Link Operation and 4K QAM, and was extended to 20 MHz-only client devices on January 6, 2026.
- Can I write "Wi-Fi 6" on a product that is not certified?
- The Alliance lists Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 among brands for public use, offered license free to members and non-members to describe products and technology. What is reserved is the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo and the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED certification marks, which require membership and certification. The Brand Style Guide governs how each is shown.
- Is WPA3 mandatory?
- Yes for certification. The Alliance states that WPA3 support has been required in all new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices since 2020, that its use is mandatory in the 6 GHz band, and that Protected Management Frames are required for all new certified devices. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 required WPA3 from its launch in September 2019.
- What are the 6 GHz power classes in the United States?
- 47 CFR 15.407(a) sets them: standard power access points 36 dBm EIRP and 23 dBm/MHz under an AFC system; low-power indoor access points 30 dBm and 5 dBm/MHz, indoor only with an integrated antenna and a label statement; very low power devices 14 dBm and -5 dBm/MHz across 5.925-7.125 GHz since May 5, 2025; geofenced variable power access points 24 dBm and 11 dBm/MHz since April 27, 2026. In the EU, EN 303 687 V1.1.1 covers 5945-6425 MHz with LPI and VLP limits.