Technology transfer is getting a credential meant to sustain expertise and credibility over time

May 14, 2026 - 17:19

A new professional credential is being launched to help sustain the skills and credibility of people who move scientific inventions from labs into the real world. The program, developed by industry leaders, targets a field often called technology transfer. This is the process where universities, research centers, and corporations take patents and intellectual property and turn them into commercial products or public services.

"We need to take those inventions, those patents, that intellectual property and move it into the public sphere," said Andy Myers, a key figure behind the initiative. He stressed that the work is complex and requires a mix of legal, business, and scientific knowledge. Over time, experienced professionals retire or move on, and the field risks losing its institutional memory.

The credential is designed to address that gap. It will require candidates to pass exams and demonstrate ongoing learning. The goal is not just to certify current skills but to ensure that expertise remains relevant as technology and laws change. Organizers hope the credential will become a standard for hiring and promotion in the sector.

For now, the program is voluntary. But supporters argue it will help build trust with investors and companies looking to license new technologies. Without a clear way to verify a practitioner's knowledge, they say, the whole process of turning research into real-world impact becomes harder to manage. The first certifications are expected to be awarded later this year.