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WISE Certification

WISE certification & related programs overview.

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WISE Certification

WISE stands for Wireless Industry Service Excellence. WISE Certification is a standalone, independent certification program administered by CTIA Certification, the wireless industry’s certification organization. The program includes a repair service provider component (WISE Authorized Service Centers) as well as a repair technician certification component. WISE Certification has two certification levels, Level 1 and Level 2. The requirements are set out in the Policies and Procedures for WISE Authorized Service Centers v7.0 .

Amazon Renewed Premium

Amazon Renewed Premium is a separate program from WISE Certification. The two are not interchangeable: WISE Certification is administered by CTIA Certification, while Amazon Renewed Premium is Amazon's program. WISE Certification is a prerequisite for participating in Amazon Renewed Premium. Wireless device resellers must first become a WISE Authorized Service Center at Level 1 or Level 2 .

Key points

  • WISE Certification (run by CTIA Certification) and Amazon Renewed Premium (Amazon's program) are separate programs, not interchangeable.
  • Prerequisite: your facility must be certified to ISO 9001 or RIOS.
  • WISE Certification is a prerequisite for Amazon Renewed Premium. You must first become a WISE Authorized Service Center at Level 1 or Level 2.
  • R2v3 and e-Stewards are not prerequisites for WISE Certification or Amazon Renewed Premium.

Amazon Sellers who do not own a brand authorization - what does this mean?

The term "Amazon sellers who do not own a brand authorization" refers to third-party sellers on Amazon who list and sell branded products without explicit permission from the brand owner or manufacturer.

Definition: A brand authorization is formal permission (often in the form of a letter or agreement) from a brand owner allowing a seller to list and sell their products on Amazon. Sellers without this authorization are reselling branded products without direct approval from the brand, often sourcing products from retail stores, wholesalers, or other third-party suppliers.

How to Sell Legitimately on Amazon

To avoid the risks of selling without brand authorization, sellers should follow these steps:

  • Obtain Brand Authorization:
    • Contact the brand owner directly to request a Letter of Authorization (LOA), specifying permission to sell on Amazon. The LOA should include the brand’s letterhead, seller details, trademark information, and authorized products.
    • Work with authorized distributors or wholesalers approved by the brand, ensuring invoices are recent (within 90–180 days) and match Seller Central details.

Steps to WISE Certification

Key points

  • Step 1: Get ISO 9001 or RIOS certification. It's a required prerequisite.
  • Step 2: Review the Policies and Procedures for WISE Authorized Service Centers v7.0, and choose Level 1 or Level 2 authorization.
  • Step 3: Your Line Manager or Lead Technician needs WISE Technician Certification at the same level as your authorization.
  • Steps 4 and 5: Schedule a WISE audit with a WISE approved auditor, and become a CTIA member.
  • Step 6: Pay the $2,000 USD annual WISE license fee for each authorized location.

Step 1: Obtain ISO 9001 OR RIOS certification. Your facility must be certified to ISO 9001 or to RIOS (Recycling Industry Operating Standard). This is a required prerequisite for WISE authorization.

Step 2: Review the WISE Policies and Procedures Document. Read the Policies and Procedures for WISE Authorized Service Centers v7.0 and decide which level of WISE Authorization (Level 1 or Level 2) your facility will seek.

Step 3: Ensure your Line Manager or Lead Technician has achieved WISE Technician Certification. The level of WISE Certification shall be commensurate with the level of WISE Authorization (Level 1 or Level 2).

Step 4: Schedule a WISE Audit with a WISE approved auditor.

Step 5: Become a CTIA Member.

Step 6: Pay the $2,000 WISE License Fee. The $2,000 USD annual license fee applies to each authorized location. CTIA Certification invoices it as the last step of the authorization process.

Authorization levels: As part of the authorization process you select the level of repairs your facility performs. A Level 1 WISE Authorized Service Center performs events that do not require the device to be opened. A Level 2 WISE Authorized Service Center performs Level 1 events plus repairs that require the device to be opened but do not require soldering.

Recycling note: R2v3 and e-Stewards certification are not prerequisites for WISE Certification or Amazon Renewed Premium. For facilities that also offer device recycling, R2 or e-Stewards certification is recommended as a sustainability best practice. Facilities that are not R2 or e-Stewards certified shall use a certified R2 or e-Stewards recycling partner when disposing of any scrap material.

How Paradygm helps: Paradygm Consultants can help you review and implement the Policies and Procedures for WISE Authorized Service Centers and walk your organization through the process step by step. Before your WISE audit, we perform an internal audit (a "pre-audit") to close any gaps and support a successful certification. WISE Policies & Procedures v7.0

WISE Authorized Training Administrators (ATAs)

WISE Technician Certification training is offered by the following WISE Authorized Training Administrators:

  • iFixAmerica (Omaha, Nebraska; virtual)
  • iResQ (Kansas City; Chromebook repair)
  • Tech Genius (Ontario, Canada)
  • Techtonic (U.S.; virtual)
  • TINY - Telecom Institute of New York (Queens, New York)
  • The Repair Academy (Toulouse, France)

See the official list: WISE Authorized Training Administrators