The following graphic contains the Framework of the NTCIP. The diagram shows the different standards that can be chosen at each level (boxes) and which ones are compatible (lines connecting boxes).

A particular message transmission can use, at most, one standard at each level or sublevel of the NTCIP framework. The series of standards used in the message transmission is called a "stack" of standards, or a "protocol stack". It is possible for a pair of electronic devices to exchange some messages using one stack and other messages using a different stack, though usually, such stacks will differ only at one or two levels or sublevels. In Figure 3.3, optional standards at each level are shown by the lines connecting standards at different levels. If there is a continuous line (without reversal of direction) from one standard to another, then they are compatible and can be used together as part of a protocol stack.