WISE Certification Awarded Maryland’s Industry-Recognized Credential

Friday August 14, 2026 Eldersburg, MD – Simple Cell, located in Eldersburg, Maryland is excited to announce that Wireless Industry Service Excellence (WISE®) Certification was officially approved by the Maryland’s Governor’s Workforce Development Board Career and Technical Education (CTE) Committee for inclusion on the state-approved list of Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC), effective July 1, 2026. In the future, Simple Cell plans to be the state’s first Authorized Training Academy for this now recognized credential. Simple Cell specializes in selling and repairing cell phones, tablets, and gaming consoles along with other small electronics and complementary accessories.

WISE Certification is the industry’s first and only recognized standard for mobile device repair. Established by CTIA, the wireless industry association, the program was developed through a collaborative effort of leading carriers, OEMs, and reverse logistics providers to ensure a consistent, high-quality repair experience for consumers globally. As a CTIA Certification program, WISE Certification provides the technical curriculum and hands-on validation required to verify a technician’s expertise, enabling trusted repairs for consumers.

This approval is significant as Maryland schools can now integrate WISE Certification into high school CTE programs while accessing state and federal funding to support wireless device repair training and examination. The program will ensure students preparing for high-demand careers have access to training built upon industry-validated standards. In addition, this initiative directly supports the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which aims for 45 percent of high school graduates to earn an IRC by 2030.

“The wireless industry is dedicated to operationalizing global standards that drive consistency and professional excellence across the secondary market,” said Michelle James, CTIA Vice President, Strategic Industry Programs. “Our focus remains on expanding the WISE workforce pipeline to meet the growing demand for certified talent, providing companies with the skilled professionals necessary to support a high-quality, trusted electronics ecosystem.”

Jason Evans, Director of Electronics at Simple Cell Inc., said, “Maryland’s approval of WISE Certification as an Industry Recognized Credential ensures new hires meet rigorous, industry-validated standards. By scaling a skilled workforce, we are building a more resilient ecosystem that can keep pace with the evolving needs of the wireless industry. Training to the WISE Certification allows us to hire faster and more confidently to meet the rising demand for expert, reliable repair services.”

After meeting Maryland’s rigorous IRC criteria, CTIA Certification is pursuing Industry-Recognized Credential approval in additional states, including Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Florida, and New York, to strengthen workforce pipelines and expand access to high-quality, industry-aligned training that supports the wireless device repair workforce nationwide.

About Simple Cell:  Simple Cell, started by two young entrepreneurs, was founded in 2008. Owners Nick Skelly and Chris Metzger had a vision to leave the corporate world and start a business in the growing mobile device world. Starting in a basement in Mount Airy Maryland, things began to excel quickly. Gaining knowledge in the industry and expanding quickly by accumulating contacts, Simple Cell quickly outgrew the basement. The company moved into a first warehouse in Eldersburg, Maryland in 2012. Steadily building credibility in the mobile device industry and becoming a namesake to big box companies, the business outgrew the warehouse again. Simple Cell moved into its current 40,000 square foot location in Eldersburg in 2014. With more room to expand, the leadership decided to dive into the world of refurbishment and began obtaining industry certifications. Since then, the company gained many globally recognized certifications to lend to its growing credibility. Some major certifications include, R2V3, Wise Level 1 and 2, Apple certified IRP, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, among others. Simple cell currently employs 60+ in its labor force, with half of those employees working in the electronics department. Simple Cell also offers a buyback program for old devices. The next vision is to become a statewide training academy and advocate for device refurbishment and repair to be a recognized credential in the state. Come out and visit us in Eldersburg, Maryland.