What is Bluetooth Qualification?

The Bluetooth Qualification Process was introduced by the Bluetooth SIG to ensure that the products comply with

  • Bluetooth Patent & Copyright License Agreement
  • Bluetooth Trademark License Agreement
  • Bluetooth Specifications

Products that are compliant to the Bluetooth Specification will ensure product interoperability 

=> ALL Bluetooth devices should work with each other

Completing the Bluetooth Qualification process
allows the members to make use of the
Bluetooth Trademark, Name and Logos.

What is a BQC?

Bluetooth® Qualification Consultants are independent consultants and are not employed by the Bluetooth SIG. Every BQC has to meet certain requirements by passing a yearly exam which gives them the permission to call themselves “Bluetooth Qualification Consultant”.

BQCs are helping you to with the following qualification steps

  • Support on Membership Application
  • Consultancy for Qualification Strategy
  • Project Setup in Qualification Workspace
  • Consistency Check
  • Test Plan Generation
  • Testing Services (in-house or in BQTF)
  • Test Declaration
  • Compliance Folder Review
  • Product Listings
  • Final Review and Listing

Do I need to qualify my Bluetooth products?

YES, ALL Bluetooth Products must go through the Bluetooth Qualification Process

Bluetooth Qualification

  • cannot be inherit from a chipset/module or stack supplier, each product must complete their own qualification under the manufacturer's account
  • must be completed before the product is entering the market

What happen if I do not qualify my product?

all Bluetooth products are subject to the Bluetooth Enforcement program and customs authorities are checking the Bluetooth SIG Listing database and may block the import of products, if they are not listed.

You do not need to qualify your Bluetooth product, only if you are a retailer or supplier selling the Bluetooth product under the original brand (and not under your own brand or trademark)

Enforcement Program

The Enforcement Program is the market surveillance of the Bluetooth SIG.

The global market will be monitored by the Bluetooth SIG and companies selling Bluetooth products without existing Qualification become subject to enforcement actions.

Qualification Enforcement | Bluetooth® Technology Website

NEW Core Configurations (have replaced the product types)

On the new QPRDv3, the product types as know under PRD2.3 have been replaced by Core Configurations

  • Component => Core Layer(s) or X2Core Layer(s) 
  • Controller Subsystem => Core-Controller configuration
  • Host Subsystem => Core-Host configuration
  • Profile Subsystem => X2Core Layer(s)
  • End Product => Core-Complete configuration

Core-Controller configuration

The Core-Controller configuration was previously defined as Controller Subsystem and shall include the following layers

  • RF, BB, LMP, HCI
  • RF-PHY, LL, 4.0HCI

New layers SEC and LESEC layers will be automatically selected by the Bluetooth SIG tools.

Core-Host configuration

The Core-Host configuration was previously defined as Host Subsystem and shall include the following layers

  • GAP, L2CAP, SDP
  • GAP, GATT, ATT, L2CAP, SM
  • Profiles are optional to be support

The Bluetooth SIG tools will automatically select the Upper HCI role in addition

Core-Complete configuration

The Core-Complete configuration was previously defined as End Product and shall include the following layers

  • Mandatory to support all Controller and Host layers
  • Profiles are optional to be supported

 

Core Layer(s) or X2Core Layer(s)

Bluetooth Core Layer(s) or X2Core Layer(s) can be a

  • Chipset
  • Module
  • Host stack
  • Profile stack
  • Single layer (e.g. RF or Link layer)

Receipt Number (has replaced the Declaration ID)

Under the new QPRDv3 you need to purchase a Receipt Number instead of a Declaration ID (PRD2.3).

If you have still a Declaration ID available under your account, you can still use it until the expiry date.

Design Number (DN)

The Design Number has replaced the QDID (Qualified Design ID) and will be assigned when qualifiying new designs under the QPRDv3

Compliance Folder

The compliance folder shall contain the documentation demonstrating that the product meets the Bluetooth Qualfication Requirements

Each member has to create a compliance folder and need to store it for a minimum of one year after the product ceases to be offered for sale or distribution. It must be presentable at the request of the Bluetooth SIG

It contains the following:

  • Product Information
  • Testing Information
  • Design Information
  • Declarations

Expedited Errata

When an expedited Errata is applicable to a device according to its ICS settings, it must demonstrate compliance and provide test evidence for the affected test cases of this expedited Errata.

The list expedited Errata and affected test cases can be found in the latest TCRL

Errata 10734 - Pairing Updates

  • Affects HCI, LL, LMP and SM
  • Included in Specification v5.1 and higher
  • Mandatory to support for v4.2 and v5.0

Errata 11838 - Encryption Key Size Updates

  • Affects HCI, LMP and GAP
  • Included in Specification v5.2 and higher
  • Mandatory to support for v4.2, v5.0, v5.1

Test Evidence shall be provided by the chipset/stack supplier

Withdrawn and Deprecated Specifications


The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.