Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) instructions and documentation are available in Step 2 of the "Become a Registrar" section.

1. I am an ICANN-accredited registrar. Do I need to get certification from PIR?
2. How do I begin the certification process?
3. What do I do after I receive the OT&E welcome package?
4. How do I test my client application?
5. How do I arrange a time for OT&E certification?
6. What will be tested during OT&E certification?
7. What happens after OT&E certification?
8. What is the name and port of the OT&E test server?


1. I am an ICANN-accredited registrar. Do I need to get certification from PIR?
Yes, all registrars who wish to make transactions with the .ORG registry must successfully complete OT&E certification. Completing the OT&E process will help ensure that your system will function properly, which safeguards your .ORG revenue. Please see the following question, "How do I begin the certification process?" for information on how to become certified by PIR.

2. How do I begin the certification process?
The OT&E certification process begins when an ICANN-accredited registrar requests that PIR certify them as a provider of .ORG registration services. After PIR receives your Step 1 forms, PIR technical support will provide to you, either directly or via the Web site, the following:

• OT&E server information and username/password for two accounts to access the PIR OT&E environment for registrar client testing.
• Instructions on where to download the registrar toolkit.
• Instructions on where to download the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) specifications.
• Instructions on how to proceed with the OT&E certification process.
• Instructions on how to obtain a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate from an approved certificate authority.
• Instructions on how to provide PIR with the list of subnets that will be used to access the live Shared Registry System (SRS).
• Documentation that will explain the tests to be performed during OT&E verification.

3. What do I do after I receive the OT&E welcome package?
The registrar is responsible for developing the client application that will interface with the registry using the EPP protocol. The PIR registrar toolkit (RTK) is available to any interested party that would like to develop registrar client applications. A registrar may opt to develop their application to conform to the EPP specification without the use of the RTK. This is acceptable as long as the client is able to pass the OT&E certification process.

The registry-registrar communication channel will be encrypted. An SSL certificate from an approved certificate authority is required to establish this encrypted channel. The registrar is responsible for acquiring the SSL certificate and developing support for SSL in their client application. Please see the Security FAQ for details.

4. How do I test my client application?
During client development, the registrar will have access to the .ORG OT&E environment. In the OT&E environment, the registrar may test the operation of their software to verify the correct handling of EPP commands and their responses. Operations performed in the OT&E environment will not be charged and will not have any impact on the Production SRS. Registrars will continue to have access to the OT&E environment after certification so that they may continue to test their software systems.

5. How do I arrange a time for OT&E certification?
When a registrar has completed the testing of their client systems and would like to proceed with OT&E certification, they should contact PIR technical support to schedule a time slot. It is important to schedule your test quickly, as time slots will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

At the scheduled time, the registrar should contact the PIR technical support OT&E team to initiate the certification.

6. What will be tested during OT&E certification?
During OT&E certification, a registrar's client application will be required to demonstrate the proper execution of a variety of operations. Please see the OT&E Registrar Acceptance Criteria document for full details.

NOTE: PIR reserves the right to change the OT&E certification requirements as necessary.

7. What happens after OT&E certification?
To pass, the registrar must complete all aspects of the OT&E certification test without errors. PIR will provide the certification results in a timely manner, as well as feedback for those registrars that failed to successfully complete the tests. Registrars may correct their systems and reschedule a time for certification. Registrars will not be limited in the number of attempts at OT&E certification.

Upon successful OT&E certification, the registrar becomes eligible for operation in the Production SRS. A new username/password is assigned, and PIR will configure the Production SRS to recognize the SSL certificate, username and subnet blocks for the registrar. The registrar may start operation when it has satisfied the business requirements for going live.

8. What is the name and port of the OT&E test server?
The OT&E test server name and port will be provided to each registrar along with its OT&E account information.