Federal Laboratory Consortium Announces Professional Registered ORTAs (PRO™) Initiative to Recognize Federal Technology Transfer Professionals

Released: April 20, 2026

(WASHINGTON, DC - April 20, 2026) - The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is rolling out its new Professional Registered ORTA (PRO™) program, which offers applicants an official designation to validate the experience and expertise that drive federal technology transfer. FLC PRO designation recognizes individuals who meet a peer-reviewed standard of experience, competency, and continuing education in federal technology transfer.

Receiving FLC PRO status helps technology transfer specialists document, validate, and showcase their career achievements, including professional experience and participation in the federal technology transfer community through the FLC. It signals to lab and agency leadership, as well as potential industry partners, that the tech transfer professional has verified expertise in moving innovations from federal laboratories to the marketplace through licensing, partnerships, and commercialization activities.

"The new FLC PRO designation is an initiative we are extremely proud of," says FLC Executive Director Paul Zielinski. "In the federal tech transfer innovation ecosystem, there have been too many barriers to establishing the professionalism needed to lead technology transfer activities and showcasing earned status among peers. We expect PRO to help verified practitioners demonstrate their expertise, receive deserved recognition, and increase mission impact."

To be eligible for the PRO designation, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be a member of one of the over 300 federal member laboratories of the FLC or a federal agency with an active role in federal technology transfer.
• Submit a CV/resume showing at least three years of experience in federal technology transfer.
• Submit a written statement (up to 1,000 words) summarizing relevant achievements, projects, and/or research (optional).
• Demonstrate competencies across one or more FLC career paths, or complete designated CRADA and Foundation courses through the FLC Learning Center.
• Attend at least three FLC educational webinars or serve as a trainer/subject matter expert in at least one FLC training within the past three years.
• Attend at least one FLC National Meeting within the past three years.

By establishing a consistent, peer-reviewed standard of professional competency and supporting continued learning and career advancement across the federal technology transfer community, the PRO program strengthens the workforce.

"The FLC PRO designation provides a clear, credible way to demonstrate expertise in federal technology transfer," says FLC Educate Chair and PRO-verified practitioner Andy Myers. "In a field where professionals come from different backgrounds, PRO establishes a shared standard and gives practitioners a roadmap to grow, contribute, and be recognized for their impact."

Applying for PRO status is free and open to FLC members (employees of FLC member laboratories). Submission deadlines will be on a rolling, quarterly basis, with the first application window opening today, April 20, 2026, and closing on May 25, 2026. Decisions for the first application round will be made by June 22, 2026.

Experienced technology transfer professionals should apply for a PRO designation at the FLC website, federallabs.org/PRO. Verified practitioners will be listed on the FLC website and receive a digital FLC PRO badge and certificate to include on their professional biographies like LinkedIn.

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About the FLC
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is a formally chartered, nationwide network of more than 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers that foster commercialization best practice strategies and opportunities for accelerating federal technologies from out of the labs and into the marketplace. To learn more, visit www.federallabs.org.