Test IdPs in Metadata
The first IdP an organization introduces into metadata is assumed to be a production IdP. Please do not submit temporary IdP metadata with the intention of changing it later on. IdP metadata that is obviously temporary (e.g., metadata that contains the substring "test" in names and locations) will not be approved.
As a matter of policy, each organization is allowed one IdP entity descriptor in metadata. By request, a second IdP in metadata may be purchased for an extra $1,000 per year. This second IdP may be a test IdP. That said, in almost all cases, it is neither necessary nor advised to register a test IdP in metadata.
Test IdPs in Metadata
Test IdPs in metadata serve little or no purpose. Since test IdPs are indistinguishable from production IdPs to relying parties, the introduction of explicit test IdP metadata is strongly discouraged.