NIJ 0101.07 Body Armor Standards

Standards Guide

NIJ 0101.07 Explained:
New Body Armor Standards

The NIJ body armor standard has been updated. New threat levels, new nomenclature, new testing protocols. Here’s what changed, what it means for your armor, and what you need to do about it.

Shop NIJ-Certified Armor ☎ 972.885.9003
NIJ 0101.06 & 0101.07 Products
20+ Years Combined Service
Expert Guidance by Phone
Agency & Grant Pricing
What changed and why

NIJ 0101.07 Body Armor Standards:
The Complete Guide

The NIJ 0101.07 body armor standard is the most significant update to body armor certification in over a decade. It replaces the familiar II / IIIA / III / IV level nomenclature with a new HG (handgun) and RF (rifle) system, introduces a brand new intermediate rifle protection level, tightens testing requirements, and separates threat level definitions into a standalone companion standard. Consequently, understanding NIJ 0101.07 is now essential for procurement officers, individual officers, and anyone buying new body armor.

NIJ 0101.07 HG2 certified concealable body armor — Hidden Defender 2.0 soft armor vest

HG2 Concealable Soft Armor

NIJ 0101.07 body armor standards — Traverse patrol carrier with HG2 soft armor panels

Patrol Carrier with HG2 Panels

NIJ 0101.07 RF1 hard armor plate — HESCO Special Rifle Threat plate for RF1 protection

RF1 Special Rifle Threat Plate

Why the NIJ 0101.07 Update Was Needed

The previous standard, NIJ 0101.06, had been in use since 2008. Over that time, the threat landscape facing law enforcement changed significantly — particularly with the proliferation of 5.56mm M855 Green Tip ammunition, which standard Level III plates were never tested against. Consequently, a protection gap existed between Level III and Level IV that had no formally defined or independently tested solution.

Additionally, 0101.06 testing protocols did not adequately address women’s body armor — specifically the edge vulnerability created by the shaped panels required for female-cut vests. Furthermore, the old standard bundled threat level definitions and testing methodology together, making it difficult to update one without revising the entire document.

NIJ 0101.07 addresses all three problems: it introduces RF2 to close the M855 gap, adds new angled shot testing for women’s armor, and separates threat level definitions into the companion standard NIJ 0123.00 — allowing threats to be updated independently of testing methodology in the future.

NIJ 0123.00 — The Companion Standard

NIJ 0101.07 references a new companion standard — NIJ 0123.00 — which defines ballistic protection levels and test threats separately from testing methodology. Specifically, this means the NIJ can update threat levels and test ammunition in response to new ballistic threats without having to rewrite the entire 0101.07 standard. As a result, the standards framework is now significantly more adaptable to future threats than the 0101.06 system was.

What Happens to NIJ 0101.06 Certified Armor

The most important practical question for agencies and officers is: does my current armor need to be replaced? The answer is no — at least not immediately. Armor certified under NIJ 0101.06 remains valid and on the NIJ Compliant Products List through 2027. Furthermore, agencies with 0101.06 certified armor in service are not required to replace it simply because the new standard exists.

However, NIJ stopped accepting new armor models for 0101.06 certification testing in early 2024. Consequently, new armor coming to market will increasingly be certified under 0101.07 rather than 0101.06. For agencies planning procurement cycles, understanding the new standard is now essential — particularly for grant-funded purchases where NIJ certification is a compliance requirement.

When to Expect 0101.07 Certified Products

NIJ began 0101.07 certification testing in spring 2024. As a result, a growing number of products are now appearing on the 0101.07 Compliant Products List. The transition will be gradual — manufacturers must register, test, and certify each armor model under the new standard before it can be listed. Call our specialists at 972.885.9003 for current information on which products in our catalog carry 0101.07 certification.

New vs. old levels

NIJ 0101.06 vs NIJ 0101.07:
Level Comparison

The NIJ 0101.07 body armor standards replace the old numerical level system with descriptive HG and RF designations. Use this table to understand how the levels map to each other and what threats each level is tested against under the new standard.

Old Level (0101.06) New Level (0101.07) Type Test Threats (0101.07) Key Change
Level II HG1 Soft armor 9mm FMJ RN 124gr @ 1,305 fps · .357 Mag JSP 158gr @ 1,430 fps Renamed only — same core protection
Level IIIA HG2 Soft armor 9mm FMJ RN 124gr @ 1,470 fps · .44 Mag JHP 240gr @ 1,430 fps Faster 9mm test round — slightly more stringent than IIIA
Level III RF1 Hard plate 7.62×51mm M80 NATO 147gr @ 2,780 fps · 5.56×45mm M193 @ 3,250 fps · 7.62×39mm MSC Two additional rifle rounds added to test set
No equivalent RF2 New Hard plate All RF1 threats + 5.56×45mm M855 Green Tip 62gr @ 3,115 fps Brand new level — closes the M855 protection gap
Level IV RF3 Hard plate .30-06 M2 AP 166gr @ 2,880 fps (single shot) Renamed only — same core protection

Velocities are reference velocities as specified in NIJ Standard 0123.00. Actual test protocols may vary by armor type. Consult the full NIJ 0101.07 standard for complete testing requirements.

Level by level

Each NIJ 0101.07 Level
Explained in Plain Language

Here’s what each new NIJ 0101.07 body armor level means in practical terms — who needs it, what it stops, and how it maps to what you may already be wearing.

Soft Armor · Handgun
NIJ HG1
(formerly Level II)
HG1 is the entry-level handgun protection rating under 0101.07, replacing Level II. It is tested against 9mm FMJ and .357 Magnum JSP. The core protection is unchanged from Level II — HG1 simply reflects a rename with slightly revised test parameters. Furthermore, the test velocities are slightly higher than 0101.06 to reflect tighter performance requirements. Best suited for detectives, low-profile administrative roles, and situations where the primary threat is light handgun ammunition.
Equivalent to: NIJ Level II (0101.06)
Soft Armor · Handgun
NIJ HG2
(formerly Level IIIA)
HG2 is the primary soft armor level for law enforcement under NIJ 0101.07 — equivalent to the former Level IIIA. It protects against handgun threats up to .44 Magnum. Specifically, the test was made slightly more stringent under 0101.07: HG2 replaces the .357 SIG FMJ test round with faster 9mm RN ammunition. Consequently, HG2 certified armor meets a higher bar than 0101.06 IIIA, though both provide equivalent real-world protection for the vast majority of law enforcement threats.
Equivalent to: NIJ Level IIIA (0101.06) — with slightly stricter testing
Hard Armor · Rifle
NIJ RF1
(formerly Level III)
RF1 replaces Level III for rifle-rated hard armor under NIJ 0101.07. It is tested against 7.62×51mm M80 NATO (.308 Win) — the same core round as Level III — but the 0101.07 test set also adds 5.56×45mm M193 and 7.62×39mm MSC (mild steel core) rounds. As a result, RF1 is a more comprehensive rifle test than Level III was. However, RF1 still does not cover 5.56 M855 Green Tip — that is specifically addressed by the new RF2 level.
Equivalent to: NIJ Level III (0101.06) — with two additional test rounds
New in 0101.07
Hard Armor · Rifle
NIJ RF2
(no prior equivalent)
RF2 is the most significant addition in NIJ 0101.07 — a brand new intermediate rifle protection level with no equivalent in the old standard. RF2 covers all RF1 threats plus 5.56×45mm M855 Green Tip, one of the most common patrol rifle rounds in the United States. Previously, standard Level III plates were not tested against M855, and Level IV was overkill for most patrol rifle threats. RF2 specifically fills this gap with a formally defined, independently tested protection level. Consequently, RF2 is likely to become the standard for patrol supplement plates.
Equivalent to: No prior NIJ level — addresses the M855 gap between old Level III and Level IV
Hard Armor · Rifle
NIJ RF3
(formerly Level IV)
RF3 is the highest protection level under NIJ 0101.07, replacing Level IV. It is tested against a single .30-06 M2 AP (armor-piercing) round at 2,880 fps — unchanged from Level IV testing. As a result, RF3 certification is effectively a rename of Level IV with no change in the core test requirement. RF3 remains the choice for SWAT, SRT, and high-threat operations where armor-piercing rifle threats are anticipated.
Equivalent to: NIJ Level IV (0101.06) — renamed only
Not Sure Which Level You Need?
Our specialists can help you understand how NIJ 0101.07 affects your current armor, upcoming procurement, and grant compliance requirements.
☎ 972.885.9003
Testing changes

What Else Changed in
NIJ 0101.07 Testing

Beyond the new threat level nomenclature, NIJ 0101.07 introduces several meaningful changes to how armor is tested. Consequently, products certified under 0101.07 have passed a more rigorous evaluation than those certified under 0101.06 in several specific areas.

Women’s Armor Testing

NIJ 0101.06 did not adequately address the edge vulnerability created by female-cut soft armor panels. Specifically, shaped panels required for women’s body armor can create angled surfaces at the panel edges that were not covered by the previous flat-shot testing protocol. As a result, female officers may have been wearing armor with an untested vulnerability at the panel borders.

NIJ 0101.07 adds a 45° angled shot at the top center of soft armor panels, specifically designed to test the edge performance of both standard and women’s armor. Furthermore, for non-planar (shaped) panels, additional obliquity testing is applied. Consequently, 0101.07 certified women’s armor provides verified protection at the edges — not just at the flat center panel.

Backface Deformation Testing

Backface deformation (BFD) — the indentation created on the back of armor when it stops a round — is measured as an indicator of blunt force trauma risk. Under NIJ 0101.07, the maximum allowable BFD is limited to 44mm, with updated measurement methodology (P-BFD testing). As a result, 0101.07 certified armor is specifically required to limit not just penetration but also the blunt force injury risk from stopped rounds.

Conditioning Tests

NIJ 0101.07 introduces more realistic conditioning tests that simulate real-world wear before ballistic testing. Specifically, soft armor is subjected to tumble conditioning that simulates years of daily use — including washing, flexing, and mechanical wear. Hard armor undergoes an impact durability conditioning test based on ASTM E3078 protocols. As a result, armor must perform to NIJ standards even after simulated years of wear, not just when new out of the box.

ASTM Standard References

NIJ 0101.07 formally references American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for specific test methods — particularly for hard armor conditioning. This integration with established ASTM protocols means armor testing now occurs within a broader, internationally recognized framework. Furthermore, accredited ballistics laboratories must demonstrate competency in ASTM-referenced procedures to test armor under the new standard.

Modular Threat Level Standard (NIJ 0123.00)

Perhaps the most structurally important change is the separation of threat level definitions into NIJ Standard 0123.00. Because threat levels are now defined in a separate document, the NIJ can update ammunition types and velocities in response to new ballistic threats without rewriting the entire 0101.07 standard. As a result, the standards framework is significantly more responsive to future threats than the previous system was.

Action guide

What You Should Do About
NIJ 0101.07 Right Now

The answer depends on where you are in your armor lifecycle. Here’s specific guidance for each situation.

01
If you have NIJ 0101.06 certified armor in service
Do nothing immediately. Your 0101.06 certified armor remains valid and on the NIJ Compliant Products List through 2027. It provides the same ballistic protection it always has. However, start planning your next procurement cycle around 0101.07 certified products — specifically if your current armor is approaching its 5-year replacement window.
02
If you are planning a new purchase or agency procurement
Ask specifically which certification standard applies to the products you are considering. Specifically, ask whether the product is on the 0101.06 or 0101.07 Compliant Products List. Both are valid, but knowing the standard helps you evaluate the testing requirements the armor has passed. Additionally, if your grant program requires NIJ certification, verify that the specific standard version satisfies your grant’s compliance requirements.
03
If M855 Green Tip is a concern for your operating environment
Standard Level III / RF1 plates are not tested against M855. Consequently, if 5.56 M855 is a threat you may encounter, you should specifically look for Level III+ plates (independently tested against M855, though not officially NIJ listed at that designation) or wait for RF2 certified plates which will carry formal NIJ certification for M855 defeat. Contact our specialists to discuss which products in our current catalog best address this threat.
04
If you are a procurement officer managing a grant-funded purchase
Contact the ROETAC Government Sales Team at [email protected] or 972.885.9003. Grant programs such as BVP, COPS, and JAG may have specific certification requirements, and the transition between 0101.06 and 0101.07 creates compliance questions that are worth confirming before issuing a purchase order. We have assisted agencies through this transition and can provide guidance specific to your grant program.
05
If you have questions not covered here
Call us at 972.885.9003. Our specialists stay current on NIJ certification developments and can answer specific questions about how the 0101.07 transition affects your armor, your department, and your procurement requirements — at no charge.
Common questions

FAQ

The most common questions our specialists receive about NIJ 0101.07. If yours isn’t listed, call or email — we’re happy to help.

☎ 972.885.9003
What is NIJ 0101.07 and why does it matter? +
NIJ 0101.07 is the updated National Institute of Justice standard for ballistic resistance of body armor, replacing NIJ 0101.06. It introduces new threat level nomenclature — HG1/HG2 for handgun armor and RF1/RF2/RF3 for rifle armor — along with stricter testing protocols, improved women’s armor testing, and the brand new RF2 level that addresses the M855 Green Tip protection gap. Specifically, it matters because new armor coming to market is increasingly certified under 0101.07, and procurement officers need to understand the new nomenclature to evaluate armor correctly.
Is my NIJ 0101.06 armor still valid? +
Yes. Armor certified under NIJ 0101.06 remains valid and on the NIJ Compliant Products List through 2027. You do not need to replace 0101.06 certified armor simply because the new standard exists. However, NIJ stopped accepting new armor models for 0101.06 certification testing in early 2024. Consequently, new armor coming to market will increasingly carry 0101.07 certification rather than 0101.06.
What is NIJ RF2 and do I need it? +
RF2 is a brand new intermediate rifle protection level introduced in NIJ 0101.07 — the first formally defined, independently tested level that covers 5.56 M855 Green Tip. Standard Level III / RF1 plates are not tested against M855. Consequently, if 5.56 M855 is a threat you may encounter, RF2 is specifically the level designed to address it. For most patrol supplement roles, RF2 will likely become the new standard recommendation once RF2 certified plates are widely available.
How does HG2 compare to Level IIIA? +
NIJ HG2 is the 0101.07 equivalent of the former Level IIIA. Both protect against handgun threats up to .44 Magnum. However, HG2 uses faster 9mm test ammunition than IIIA used, making the HG2 certification requirements slightly more stringent. As a result, armor certified HG2 provides at least the same real-world protection as IIIA — and in most cases has passed a harder test to earn that certification.
Does NIJ 0101.07 affect grant-funded body armor purchases? +
Potentially, yes. Grant programs like BVP, COPS, and JAG typically require NIJ-certified armor on the NIJ Compliant Products List. As the transition between 0101.06 and 0101.07 continues, procurement officers should specifically confirm which standard version their grant program accepts and ensure the armor they purchase is on the correct CPL. The ROETAC Government Sales Team can assist with grant compliance questions — call 972.885.9003 or email [email protected].
Where can I read the full NIJ 0101.07 standard? +
The full NIJ 0101.07 standard is available as a free download from the National Institute of Justice website at nij.ojp.gov. Additionally, NIJ Standard 0123.00 — the companion document defining ballistic protection levels and test threats — is available at the same location. Both documents are public and free. If you need help interpreting the standard in the context of your specific armor or procurement situation, call our specialists at 972.885.9003.
Questions about NIJ 0101.07
and your armor?
Our specialists stay current on NIJ certification developments and can answer specific questions about how the transition affects your armor and procurement — at no charge.
Shop NIJ-Certified Armor ☎ 972.885.9003
Armor Exchange, LLC · Grapevine, TX · 972.885.9003 · [email protected]
Information on this page reflects NIJ 0101.07 as published and available addenda. Standards are subject to revision — consult nij.ojp.gov for the most current version. Body armor is restricted in some jurisdictions. Federal law prohibits purchase or possession by convicted felons (18 U.S.C. § 931).
Product categories