diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 876808ecac2..f79b64f2713 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ This project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.htm
 - Zipkin exporter helpers: pipeline methods introduced, new exporter method adjusted. (#944)
 - The trace (`go.opentelemetry.io/otel/exporters/trace/stdout`) and metric (`go.opentelemetry.io/otel/exporters/metric/stdout`) `stdout` exporters are now merged into a single exporter at `go.opentelemetry.io/otel/exporters/stdout`. (#956)
 
+### Fixed
+
+- Remove default SDK dependencies from the `go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api` package. (#977)
+
 ## [0.9.0] - 2020-07-20
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/api/global/internal/benchmark_test.go b/api/global/internal/benchmark_test.go
index 107461cc1c1..d8e4ca932c4 100644
--- a/api/global/internal/benchmark_test.go
+++ b/api/global/internal/benchmark_test.go
@@ -21,48 +21,12 @@ import (
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global/internal"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/kv"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/metric"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace"
-	export "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/export/metric"
-	sdk "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/processor/test"
-	sdktrace "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/trace"
 )
 
-var Must = metric.Must
-
-// benchFixture is copied from sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go.
-// TODO refactor to share this code.
-type benchFixture struct {
-	export.AggregatorSelector
-	accumulator *sdk.Accumulator
-	meter       metric.Meter
-	B           *testing.B
-}
-
-var _ metric.Provider = &benchFixture{}
-
-func newFixture(b *testing.B) *benchFixture {
-	b.ReportAllocs()
-	bf := &benchFixture{
-		B:                  b,
-		AggregatorSelector: test.AggregatorSelector(),
-	}
-
-	bf.accumulator = sdk.NewAccumulator(bf)
-	bf.meter = metric.WrapMeterImpl(bf.accumulator, "test")
-	return bf
-}
-
-func (*benchFixture) Process(export.Accumulation) error {
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (fix *benchFixture) Meter(_ string, _ ...metric.MeterOption) metric.Meter {
-	return fix.meter
-}
-
 func BenchmarkGlobalInt64CounterAddNoSDK(b *testing.B) {
+	// Compare with BenchmarkGlobalInt64CounterAddWithSDK() in
+	// ../../../sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go to see the overhead of the
+	// global no-op system against a registered SDK.
 	internal.ResetForTest()
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	sdk := global.Meter("test")
@@ -76,60 +40,15 @@ func BenchmarkGlobalInt64CounterAddNoSDK(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkGlobalInt64CounterAddWithSDK(b *testing.B) {
-	// Comapare with BenchmarkInt64CounterAdd() in ../../sdk/meter/benchmark_test.go
+func BenchmarkStartEndSpanNoSDK(b *testing.B) {
+	// Compare with BenchmarkStartEndSpan() in
+	// ../../../sdk/trace/benchmark_test.go.
+	internal.ResetForTest()
+	t := global.Tracer("Benchmark StartEndSpan")
 	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-
-	sdk := global.Meter("test")
-
-	global.SetMeterProvider(fix)
-
-	labs := []kv.KeyValue{kv.String("A", "B")}
-	cnt := Must(sdk).NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
-
 	b.ResetTimer()
-
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		cnt.Add(ctx, 1, labs...)
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkStartEndSpan(b *testing.B) {
-	// Comapare with BenchmarkStartEndSpan() in ../../sdk/trace/benchmark_test.go
-	traceBenchmark(b, func(b *testing.B) {
-		t := global.Tracer("Benchmark StartEndSpan")
-		ctx := context.Background()
-		b.ResetTimer()
-		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-			_, span := t.Start(ctx, "/foo")
-			span.End()
-		}
-	})
-}
-
-func traceBenchmark(b *testing.B, fn func(*testing.B)) {
-	internal.ResetForTest()
-	b.Run("No SDK", func(b *testing.B) {
-		b.ReportAllocs()
-		fn(b)
-	})
-	b.Run("Default SDK (AlwaysSample)", func(b *testing.B) {
-		b.ReportAllocs()
-		global.SetTraceProvider(traceProvider(b, sdktrace.AlwaysSample()))
-		fn(b)
-	})
-	b.Run("Default SDK (NeverSample)", func(b *testing.B) {
-		b.ReportAllocs()
-		global.SetTraceProvider(traceProvider(b, sdktrace.NeverSample()))
-		fn(b)
-	})
-}
-
-func traceProvider(b *testing.B, sampler sdktrace.Sampler) trace.Provider {
-	tp, err := sdktrace.NewProvider(sdktrace.WithConfig(sdktrace.Config{DefaultSampler: sampler}))
-	if err != nil {
-		b.Fatalf("Failed to create trace provider with sampler: %v", err)
+		_, span := t.Start(ctx, "/foo")
+		span.End()
 	}
-	return tp
 }
diff --git a/api/global/internal/meter_test.go b/api/global/internal/meter_test.go
index aad2e3fabd2..aa962ba0188 100644
--- a/api/global/internal/meter_test.go
+++ b/api/global/internal/meter_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ import (
 	metrictest "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/internal/metric"
 )
 
+var Must = metric.Must
+
 // Note: Maybe this should be factored into ../../../internal/metric?
 type measured struct {
 	Name                   string
diff --git a/api/global/internal/trace_test.go b/api/global/internal/trace_test.go
index ac6ceb43b69..58d73aa5eb0 100644
--- a/api/global/internal/trace_test.go
+++ b/api/global/internal/trace_test.go
@@ -18,32 +18,14 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global/internal"
-	export "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/export/trace"
-	sdktrace "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/trace"
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace/testtrace"
 )
 
-type testSpanProcesor struct {
-	// Names of Spans started.
-	spansStarted []string
-	// Names of Spans ended.
-	spansEnded []string
-}
-
-func (t *testSpanProcesor) OnStart(s *export.SpanData) {
-	t.spansStarted = append(t.spansStarted, s.Name)
-}
-
-func (t *testSpanProcesor) OnEnd(s *export.SpanData) {
-	t.spansEnded = append(t.spansEnded, s.Name)
-}
-
-func (t *testSpanProcesor) Shutdown() {}
-
-func TestTraceDefaultSDK(t *testing.T) {
+func TestTraceWithSDK(t *testing.T) {
 	internal.ResetForTest()
 
 	ctx := context.Background()
@@ -56,13 +38,8 @@ func TestTraceDefaultSDK(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("failed to wrap function with span prior to initialization: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	tp, err := sdktrace.NewProvider(sdktrace.WithConfig(sdktrace.Config{DefaultSampler: sdktrace.AlwaysSample()}))
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	tsp := &testSpanProcesor{}
-	tp.RegisterSpanProcessor(tsp)
-
+	sr := new(testtrace.StandardSpanRecorder)
+	tp := testtrace.NewProvider(testtrace.WithSpanRecorder(sr))
 	global.SetTraceProvider(tp)
 
 	// This span was started before initialization, it is expected to be dropped.
@@ -83,7 +60,14 @@ func TestTraceDefaultSDK(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("failed to wrap function with span post initialization with new tracer: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	filterNames := func(spans []*testtrace.Span) []string {
+		names := make([]string, len(spans))
+		for i := range spans {
+			names[i] = spans[i].Name()
+		}
+		return names
+	}
 	expected := []string{"span2", "withSpan2", "span3", "withSpan3"}
-	require.Equal(t, tsp.spansStarted, expected)
-	require.Equal(t, tsp.spansEnded, expected)
+	assert.ElementsMatch(t, expected, filterNames(sr.Started()))
+	assert.ElementsMatch(t, expected, filterNames(sr.Completed()))
 }
diff --git a/api/kv/benchmark_test.go b/api/kv/benchmark_test.go
index 33aa93424f7..a1fea5b290d 100644
--- a/api/kv/benchmark_test.go
+++ b/api/kv/benchmark_test.go
@@ -15,62 +15,360 @@
 package kv_test
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"testing"
 
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/kv"
+)
+
+type test struct{}
+
+var (
+	arrayVal    = []string{"one", "two"}
+	arrayKeyVal = kv.Array("array", arrayVal)
+
+	boolVal    = true
+	boolKeyVal = kv.Bool("bool", boolVal)
+
+	intVal    = int(1)
+	intKeyVal = kv.Int("int", intVal)
+
+	int8Val    = int8(1)
+	int8KeyVal = kv.Int("int8", int(int8Val))
+
+	int16Val    = int16(1)
+	int16KeyVal = kv.Int("int16", int(int16Val))
+
+	int32Val    = int32(1)
+	int32KeyVal = kv.Int32("int32", int32Val)
+
+	int64Val    = int64(1)
+	int64KeyVal = kv.Int64("int64", int64Val)
+
+	uintVal    = uint(1)
+	uintKeyVal = kv.Uint("uint", uintVal)
+
+	uint8Val    = uint8(1)
+	uint8KeyVal = kv.Uint("uint8", uint(uint8Val))
+
+	uint16Val    = uint16(1)
+	uint16KeyVal = kv.Uint("uint16", uint(uint16Val))
+
+	uint32Val    = uint32(1)
+	uint32KeyVal = kv.Uint32("uint32", uint32Val)
 
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global"
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace"
-	sdktrace "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/trace"
+	uint64Val    = uint64(1)
+	uint64KeyVal = kv.Uint64("uint64", uint64Val)
+
+	float32Val    = float32(1.0)
+	float32KeyVal = kv.Float32("float32", float32Val)
+
+	float64Val    = float64(1.0)
+	float64KeyVal = kv.Float64("float64", float64Val)
+
+	stringVal    = "string"
+	stringKeyVal = kv.String("string", stringVal)
+
+	bytesVal  = []byte("bytes")
+	structVal = test{}
 )
 
-// Note: The tests below load a real SDK to ensure the compiler isn't optimizing
-// the test based on global analysis limited to the NoopSpan implementation.
-func getSpan() trace.Span {
-	_, sp := global.Tracer("Test").Start(context.Background(), "Span")
-	tr, _ := sdktrace.NewProvider()
-	global.SetTraceProvider(tr)
-	return sp
+func BenchmarkArrayKey(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Array("array", arrayVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkArrayKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("array", arrayVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkBoolKey(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Bool("bool", boolVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkBoolKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("bool", boolVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkIntKey(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Int("int", intVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkIntKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("int", intVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkInt8KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("int8", int8Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkInt16KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("int16", int16Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkInt32Key(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Int32("int32", int32Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkInt32KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("int32", int32Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkInt64Key(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Int64("int64", int64Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkInt64KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("int64", int64Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUintKey(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Uint("uint", uintVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUintKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("uint", uintVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUint8KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("uint8", uint8Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUint16KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("uint16", uint16Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUint32Key(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Uint32("uint32", uint32Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUint32KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("uint32", uint32Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUint64Key(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Uint64("uint64", uint64Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkUint64KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("uint64", uint64Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFloat32Key(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Float32("float32", float32Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFloat32KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("float32", float32Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFloat64Key(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Float64("float64", float64Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkFloat64KeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("float64", float64Val)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStringKey(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.String("string", stringVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStringKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("string", stringVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkBytesKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("bytes", bytesVal)
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkStructKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = kv.Any("struct", structVal)
+	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkKeyAny(b *testing.B) {
+func BenchmarkEmitArray(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		kv.Any("Attr", int(256))
+		_ = arrayKeyVal.Value.Emit()
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkMultiNoKeyInference(b *testing.B) {
-	sp := getSpan()
+func BenchmarkEmitBool(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = boolKeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
+func BenchmarkEmitInt(b *testing.B) {
 	b.ReportAllocs()
-	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = intKeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
+func BenchmarkEmitInt8(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		sp.SetAttributes(kv.Int("Attr", 1))
+		_ = int8KeyVal.Value.Emit()
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkMultiWithKeyInference(b *testing.B) {
-	sp := getSpan()
+func BenchmarkEmitInt16(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = int16KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
+func BenchmarkEmitInt32(b *testing.B) {
 	b.ReportAllocs()
-	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = int32KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
+func BenchmarkEmitInt64(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		sp.SetAttributes(kv.Any("Attr", 1))
+		_ = int64KeyVal.Value.Emit()
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkSingleWithKeyInferenceValue(b *testing.B) {
-	sp := getSpan()
+func BenchmarkEmitUint(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = uintKeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
+func BenchmarkEmitUint8(b *testing.B) {
 	b.ReportAllocs()
-	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = uint8KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
+func BenchmarkEmitUint16(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		sp.SetAttribute("Attr", 1)
+		_ = uint16KeyVal.Value.Emit()
 	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkEmitUint32(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = uint32KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
 
-	b.StopTimer()
+func BenchmarkEmitUint64(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = uint64KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkEmitFloat32(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = float32KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkEmitFloat64(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = float64KeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkEmitString(b *testing.B) {
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_ = stringKeyVal.Value.Emit()
+	}
 }
diff --git a/api/kv/key_test.go b/api/kv/key_test.go
index f8c7311c6d3..d79031ff947 100644
--- a/api/kv/key_test.go
+++ b/api/kv/key_test.go
@@ -119,43 +119,3 @@ func TestEmit(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
-
-func BenchmarkEmitBool(b *testing.B) {
-	b.ReportAllocs()
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		n := kv.BoolValue(i%2 == 0)
-		_ = n.Emit()
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkEmitInt64(b *testing.B) {
-	b.ReportAllocs()
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		n := kv.Int64Value(int64(i))
-		_ = n.Emit()
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkEmitUInt64(b *testing.B) {
-	b.ReportAllocs()
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		n := kv.Uint64Value(uint64(i))
-		_ = n.Emit()
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkEmitFloat64(b *testing.B) {
-	b.ReportAllocs()
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		n := kv.Float64Value(float64(i))
-		_ = n.Emit()
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkEmitFloat32(b *testing.B) {
-	b.ReportAllocs()
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		n := kv.Float32Value(float32(i))
-		_ = n.Emit()
-	}
-}
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/config.go b/api/trace/testtrace/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b4557676c18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/trace/testtrace/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+// Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package testtrace
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace"
+)
+
+// defaultSpanContextFunc returns the default SpanContextFunc.
+func defaultSpanContextFunc() func(context.Context) trace.SpanContext {
+	var traceID, spanID uint64 = 1, 1
+	return func(ctx context.Context) trace.SpanContext {
+		var sc trace.SpanContext
+		if lsc := trace.SpanFromContext(ctx).SpanContext(); lsc.IsValid() {
+			sc = lsc
+		} else if rsc := trace.RemoteSpanContextFromContext(ctx); rsc.IsValid() {
+			sc = rsc
+		} else {
+			binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(sc.TraceID[:], atomic.AddUint64(&traceID, 1))
+		}
+		binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(sc.SpanID[:], atomic.AddUint64(&spanID, 1))
+		return sc
+	}
+}
+
+type config struct {
+	// SpanContextFunc returns a SpanContext from an parent Context for a
+	// new span.
+	SpanContextFunc func(context.Context) trace.SpanContext
+
+	// SpanRecorder keeps track of spans.
+	SpanRecorder SpanRecorder
+}
+
+func configure(opts ...Option) config {
+	conf := config{}
+	for _, opt := range opts {
+		opt.Apply(&conf)
+	}
+	if conf.SpanContextFunc == nil {
+		conf.SpanContextFunc = defaultSpanContextFunc()
+	}
+	return conf
+}
+
+type Option interface {
+	Apply(*config)
+}
+
+type spanContextFuncOption struct {
+	SpanContextFunc func(context.Context) trace.SpanContext
+}
+
+func (o spanContextFuncOption) Apply(c *config) {
+	c.SpanContextFunc = o.SpanContextFunc
+}
+
+func WithSpanContextFunc(f func(context.Context) trace.SpanContext) Option {
+	return spanContextFuncOption{f}
+}
+
+type spanRecorderOption struct {
+	SpanRecorder SpanRecorder
+}
+
+func (o spanRecorderOption) Apply(c *config) {
+	c.SpanRecorder = o.SpanRecorder
+}
+
+func WithSpanRecorder(sr SpanRecorder) Option {
+	return spanRecorderOption{sr}
+}
+
+type SpanRecorder interface {
+	OnStart(*Span)
+	OnEnd(*Span)
+}
+
+type StandardSpanRecorder struct {
+	startedMu sync.RWMutex
+	started   []*Span
+
+	doneMu sync.RWMutex
+	done   []*Span
+}
+
+func (ssr *StandardSpanRecorder) OnStart(span *Span) {
+	ssr.startedMu.Lock()
+	defer ssr.startedMu.Unlock()
+	ssr.started = append(ssr.started, span)
+}
+
+func (ssr *StandardSpanRecorder) OnEnd(span *Span) {
+	ssr.doneMu.Lock()
+	defer ssr.doneMu.Unlock()
+	ssr.done = append(ssr.done, span)
+}
+
+func (ssr *StandardSpanRecorder) Started() []*Span {
+	ssr.startedMu.RLock()
+	defer ssr.startedMu.RUnlock()
+	started := make([]*Span, len(ssr.started))
+	for i := range ssr.started {
+		started[i] = ssr.started[i]
+	}
+	return started
+}
+
+func (ssr *StandardSpanRecorder) Completed() []*Span {
+	ssr.doneMu.RLock()
+	defer ssr.doneMu.RUnlock()
+	done := make([]*Span, len(ssr.done))
+	for i := range ssr.done {
+		done[i] = ssr.done[i]
+	}
+	return done
+}
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/generator.go b/api/trace/testtrace/generator.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 35a09b5e8b1..00000000000
--- a/api/trace/testtrace/generator.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,73 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors
-//
-// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-// You may obtain a copy of the License at
-//
-//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-//
-// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-// limitations under the License.
-
-package testtrace
-
-import (
-	"encoding/binary"
-	"sync"
-
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace"
-)
-
-type Generator interface {
-	TraceID() trace.ID
-	SpanID() trace.SpanID
-}
-
-var _ Generator = (*CountGenerator)(nil)
-
-// CountGenerator is a simple Generator that can be used to create unique, albeit deterministic,
-// trace and span IDs.
-type CountGenerator struct {
-	lock        sync.Mutex
-	traceIDHigh uint64
-	traceIDLow  uint64
-	spanID      uint64
-}
-
-func NewCountGenerator() *CountGenerator {
-	return &CountGenerator{}
-}
-
-func (g *CountGenerator) TraceID() trace.ID {
-	g.lock.Lock()
-	defer g.lock.Unlock()
-
-	if g.traceIDHigh == g.traceIDLow {
-		g.traceIDHigh++
-	} else {
-		g.traceIDLow++
-	}
-
-	var traceID trace.ID
-
-	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(traceID[0:8], g.traceIDLow)
-	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(traceID[8:], g.traceIDHigh)
-
-	return traceID
-}
-
-func (g *CountGenerator) SpanID() trace.SpanID {
-	g.lock.Lock()
-	defer g.lock.Unlock()
-
-	g.spanID++
-
-	var spanID trace.SpanID
-
-	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(spanID[:], g.spanID)
-
-	return spanID
-}
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/provider.go b/api/trace/testtrace/provider.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..9bd58daf226
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/trace/testtrace/provider.go
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+// Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package testtrace
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace"
+)
+
+type Provider struct {
+	config config
+
+	tracersMu sync.Mutex
+	tracers   map[instrumentation]*Tracer
+}
+
+var _ trace.Provider = (*Provider)(nil)
+
+func NewProvider(opts ...Option) *Provider {
+	return &Provider{
+		config:  configure(opts...),
+		tracers: make(map[instrumentation]*Tracer),
+	}
+}
+
+type instrumentation struct {
+	Name, Version string
+}
+
+func (p *Provider) Tracer(instName string, opts ...trace.TracerOption) trace.Tracer {
+	conf := new(trace.TracerConfig)
+	for _, o := range opts {
+		o(conf)
+	}
+	inst := instrumentation{
+		Name:    instName,
+		Version: conf.InstrumentationVersion,
+	}
+	p.tracersMu.Lock()
+	defer p.tracersMu.Unlock()
+	t, ok := p.tracers[inst]
+	if !ok {
+		t = &Tracer{
+			Name:    instName,
+			Version: conf.InstrumentationVersion,
+			config:  &p.config,
+		}
+		p.tracers[inst] = t
+	}
+	return t
+}
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/span.go b/api/trace/testtrace/span.go
index ea39dc61b9e..38dd84085c1 100644
--- a/api/trace/testtrace/span.go
+++ b/api/trace/testtrace/span.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ const (
 var _ trace.Span = (*Span)(nil)
 
 type Span struct {
-	lock          *sync.RWMutex
+	lock          sync.RWMutex
 	tracer        *Tracer
 	spanContext   trace.SpanContext
 	parentSpanID  trace.SpanID
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ func (s *Span) End(opts ...trace.EndOption) {
 	}
 
 	var c trace.EndConfig
-
 	for _, opt := range opts {
 		opt(&c)
 	}
@@ -76,6 +75,9 @@ func (s *Span) End(opts ...trace.EndOption) {
 	}
 
 	s.ended = true
+	if s.tracer.config.SpanRecorder != nil {
+		s.tracer.config.SpanRecorder.OnEnd(s)
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *Span) RecordError(ctx context.Context, err error, opts ...trace.ErrorOption) {
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/span_test.go b/api/trace/testtrace/span_test.go
index e5229e24614..33cd23f6f6b 100644
--- a/api/trace/testtrace/span_test.go
+++ b/api/trace/testtrace/span_test.go
@@ -33,12 +33,13 @@ import (
 
 func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("#Tracer", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns the tracer used to start the span", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, subject := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			e.Expect(subject.Tracer()).ToEqual(tracer)
@@ -46,12 +47,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#End", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("ends the span", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -124,6 +126,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#RecordError", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("records an error", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
@@ -147,7 +150,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 			for _, s := range scenarios {
 				e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-				tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+				tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 				ctx, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 				subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -175,7 +178,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			ctx, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -204,7 +207,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			ctx, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -221,7 +224,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			ctx, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -234,12 +237,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#IsRecording", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns true", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, subject := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			e.Expect(subject.IsRecording()).ToBeTrue()
@@ -247,12 +251,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#SpanContext", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns a valid SpanContext", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, subject := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			e.Expect(subject.SpanContext().IsValid()).ToBeTrue()
@@ -263,7 +268,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, subject := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			e.Expect(subject.SpanContext()).ToEqual(subject.SpanContext())
@@ -271,12 +276,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#Name", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns the most recently set name on the span", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			originalName := "test"
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), originalName)
 
@@ -299,7 +305,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			originalName := "test"
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), originalName)
 
@@ -314,12 +320,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#Attributes", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns an empty map by default", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -333,7 +340,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -359,7 +366,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -382,7 +389,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -409,12 +416,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#Links", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns an empty map by default", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -425,12 +433,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#Events", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("returns an empty slice by default", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -444,7 +453,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -497,7 +506,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -518,12 +527,13 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("#Status", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 		t.Run("defaults to OK", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 			subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -562,7 +572,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 				e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-				tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+				tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 				_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 				subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -580,7 +590,7 @@ func TestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 
 				e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-				tracer := testtrace.NewTracer()
+				tracer := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 				_, span := tracer.Start(context.Background(), "test")
 
 				subject, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/tracer.go b/api/trace/testtrace/tracer.go
index fe383a672df..5408576e206 100644
--- a/api/trace/testtrace/tracer.go
+++ b/api/trace/testtrace/tracer.go
@@ -16,132 +16,79 @@ package testtrace
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/kv"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/trace"
-
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/internal/trace/parent"
 )
 
 var _ trace.Tracer = (*Tracer)(nil)
 
-// Tracer is a type of OpenTelemetry Tracer that tracks both active and ended spans,
-// and which creates Spans that may be inspected to see what data has been set on them.
+// Tracer is an OpenTelemetry Tracer implementation used for testing.
 type Tracer struct {
-	lock      *sync.RWMutex
-	generator Generator
-	spans     []*Span
-}
-
-func NewTracer(opts ...TracerOption) *Tracer {
-	c := newTracerConfig(opts...)
+	// Name is the instrumentation name.
+	Name string
+	// Version is the instrumentation version.
+	Version string
 
-	return &Tracer{
-		lock:      &sync.RWMutex{},
-		generator: c.generator,
-	}
+	config *config
 }
 
 func (t *Tracer) Start(ctx context.Context, name string, opts ...trace.StartOption) (context.Context, trace.Span) {
 	var c trace.StartConfig
-
 	for _, opt := range opts {
 		opt(&c)
 	}
 
-	var traceID trace.ID
-	var parentSpanID trace.SpanID
-
-	parentSpanContext, _, links := parent.GetSpanContextAndLinks(ctx, c.NewRoot)
-
-	if parentSpanContext.IsValid() {
-		traceID = parentSpanContext.TraceID
-		parentSpanID = parentSpanContext.SpanID
-	} else {
-		traceID = t.generator.TraceID()
-	}
-
-	spanID := t.generator.SpanID()
-
 	startTime := time.Now()
-
 	if st := c.StartTime; !st.IsZero() {
 		startTime = st
 	}
 
 	span := &Span{
-		lock:      &sync.RWMutex{},
-		tracer:    t,
-		startTime: startTime,
-		spanContext: trace.SpanContext{
-			TraceID: traceID,
-			SpanID:  spanID,
-		},
-		parentSpanID: parentSpanID,
-		attributes:   make(map[kv.Key]kv.Value),
-		links:        make(map[trace.SpanContext][]kv.KeyValue),
+		tracer:     t,
+		startTime:  startTime,
+		attributes: make(map[kv.Key]kv.Value),
+		links:      make(map[trace.SpanContext][]kv.KeyValue),
 	}
 
-	span.SetName(name)
-	span.SetAttributes(c.Attributes...)
+	if c.NewRoot {
+		span.spanContext = trace.EmptySpanContext()
 
-	for _, link := range links {
-		span.links[link.SpanContext] = link.Attributes
+		iodKey := kv.Key("ignored-on-demand")
+		if lsc := trace.SpanFromContext(ctx).SpanContext(); lsc.IsValid() {
+			span.links[lsc] = []kv.KeyValue{iodKey.String("current")}
+		}
+		if rsc := trace.RemoteSpanContextFromContext(ctx); rsc.IsValid() {
+			span.links[rsc] = []kv.KeyValue{iodKey.String("remote")}
+		}
+	} else {
+		span.spanContext = t.config.SpanContextFunc(ctx)
+		if lsc := trace.SpanFromContext(ctx).SpanContext(); lsc.IsValid() {
+			span.spanContext.TraceID = lsc.TraceID
+			span.parentSpanID = lsc.SpanID
+		} else if rsc := trace.RemoteSpanContextFromContext(ctx); rsc.IsValid() {
+			span.spanContext.TraceID = rsc.TraceID
+			span.parentSpanID = rsc.SpanID
+		}
 	}
+
 	for _, link := range c.Links {
 		span.links[link.SpanContext] = link.Attributes
 	}
 
-	t.lock.Lock()
-
-	t.spans = append(t.spans, span)
-
-	t.lock.Unlock()
+	span.SetName(name)
+	span.SetAttributes(c.Attributes...)
 
+	if t.config.SpanRecorder != nil {
+		t.config.SpanRecorder.OnStart(span)
+	}
 	return trace.ContextWithSpan(ctx, span), span
 }
 
 func (t *Tracer) WithSpan(ctx context.Context, name string, body func(ctx context.Context) error, opts ...trace.StartOption) error {
-	ctx, _ = t.Start(ctx, name, opts...)
+	ctx, span := t.Start(ctx, name, opts...)
+	defer span.End()
 
 	return body(ctx)
 }
-
-// Spans returns the list of current and ended Spans started via the Tracer.
-func (t *Tracer) Spans() []*Span {
-	t.lock.RLock()
-	defer t.lock.RUnlock()
-
-	return append([]*Span{}, t.spans...)
-}
-
-// TracerOption enables configuration of a new Tracer.
-type TracerOption func(*tracerConfig)
-
-// TracerWithGenerator enables customization of the Generator that the Tracer will use
-// to create new trace and span IDs.
-// By default, new Tracers will use the CountGenerator.
-func TracerWithGenerator(generator Generator) TracerOption {
-	return func(c *tracerConfig) {
-		c.generator = generator
-	}
-}
-
-type tracerConfig struct {
-	generator Generator
-}
-
-func newTracerConfig(opts ...TracerOption) tracerConfig {
-	var c tracerConfig
-	defaultOpts := []TracerOption{
-		TracerWithGenerator(NewCountGenerator()),
-	}
-
-	for _, opt := range append(defaultOpts, opts...) {
-		opt(&c)
-	}
-
-	return c
-}
diff --git a/api/trace/testtrace/tracer_test.go b/api/trace/testtrace/tracer_test.go
index fff385e1d9a..13b2fbe89d0 100644
--- a/api/trace/testtrace/tracer_test.go
+++ b/api/trace/testtrace/tracer_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ package testtrace_test
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -28,9 +30,15 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
-	testharness.NewHarness(t).TestTracer(func() trace.Tracer {
-		return testtrace.NewTracer()
-	})
+	tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
+
+	testharness.NewHarness(t).TestTracer(func() func() trace.Tracer {
+		tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
+		var i uint64
+		return func() trace.Tracer {
+			return tp.Tracer(fmt.Sprintf("tracer %d", atomic.AddUint64(&i, 1)))
+		}
+	}())
 
 	t.Run("#Start", func(t *testing.T) {
 		testTracedSpan(t, func(tracer trace.Tracer, name string) (trace.Span, error) {
@@ -46,7 +54,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			expectedStartTime := time.Now().AddDate(5, 0, 0)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := subject.Start(context.Background(), "test", trace.WithStartTime(expectedStartTime))
 
 			testSpan, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -63,7 +71,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 			attr1 := kv.String("a", "1")
 			attr2 := kv.String("b", "2")
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			_, span := subject.Start(context.Background(), "test", trace.WithAttributes(attr1, attr2))
 
 			testSpan, ok := span.(*testtrace.Span)
@@ -79,7 +87,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 			parent, parentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "parent")
 			parentSpanContext := parentSpan.SpanContext()
@@ -100,7 +108,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 			parent, parentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "parent")
 			_, remoteParentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "remote not-a-parent")
@@ -123,7 +131,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 			_, remoteParentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "remote parent")
 			parent := trace.ContextWithRemoteSpanContext(context.Background(), remoteParentSpan.SpanContext())
@@ -145,7 +153,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 			_, parentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "not-a-parent")
 			_, remoteParentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "remote not-a-parent")
@@ -170,7 +178,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 			parentCtx, parentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "not-a-parent")
 			_, remoteParentSpan := subject.Start(context.Background(), "remote not-a-parent")
@@ -220,7 +228,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 
 			e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 			_, span := subject.Start(context.Background(), "link1")
 			link1 := trace.Link{
@@ -270,7 +278,7 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 			attr1 := kv.String("a", "1")
 			attr2 := kv.String("b", "2")
 
-			subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+			subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 			var span trace.Span
 			err := subject.WithSpan(context.Background(), "test", func(ctx context.Context) error {
 				span = trace.SpanFromContext(ctx)
@@ -291,12 +299,13 @@ func TestTracer(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func testTracedSpan(t *testing.T, fn func(tracer trace.Tracer, name string) (trace.Span, error)) {
+	tp := testtrace.NewProvider()
 	t.Run("starts a span with the expected name", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
 		e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-		subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+		subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 		expectedName := "test name"
 		span, err := fn(subject, expectedName)
@@ -314,7 +323,7 @@ func testTracedSpan(t *testing.T, fn func(tracer trace.Tracer, name string) (tra
 
 		e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-		subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+		subject := tp.Tracer(t.Name())
 
 		start := time.Now()
 		span, err := fn(subject, "test")
@@ -329,20 +338,21 @@ func testTracedSpan(t *testing.T, fn func(tracer trace.Tracer, name string) (tra
 		e.Expect(testSpan.StartTime()).ToBeTemporally(matchers.BeforeOrSameTime, end)
 	})
 
-	t.Run("appends the span to the list of Spans", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("calls SpanRecorder.OnStart", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
 		e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-		subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+		sr := new(testtrace.StandardSpanRecorder)
+		subject := testtrace.NewProvider(testtrace.WithSpanRecorder(sr)).Tracer(t.Name())
 		subject.Start(context.Background(), "span1")
 
-		e.Expect(len(subject.Spans())).ToEqual(1)
+		e.Expect(len(sr.Started())).ToEqual(1)
 
 		span, err := fn(subject, "span2")
 		e.Expect(err).ToBeNil()
 
-		spans := subject.Spans()
+		spans := sr.Started()
 
 		e.Expect(len(spans)).ToEqual(2)
 		e.Expect(spans[1]).ToEqual(span)
@@ -353,7 +363,8 @@ func testTracedSpan(t *testing.T, fn func(tracer trace.Tracer, name string) (tra
 
 		e := matchers.NewExpecter(t)
 
-		subject := testtrace.NewTracer()
+		sr := new(testtrace.StandardSpanRecorder)
+		subject := testtrace.NewProvider(testtrace.WithSpanRecorder(sr)).Tracer(t.Name())
 
 		numSpans := 2
 
@@ -372,6 +383,6 @@ func testTracedSpan(t *testing.T, fn func(tracer trace.Tracer, name string) (tra
 
 		wg.Wait()
 
-		e.Expect(len(subject.Spans())).ToEqual(numSpans)
+		e.Expect(len(sr.Started())).ToEqual(numSpans)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/instrumentation/othttp/transport_example_test.go b/instrumentation/othttp/transport_example_test.go
index f31f50aeef7..9254bd19024 100644
--- a/instrumentation/othttp/transport_example_test.go
+++ b/instrumentation/othttp/transport_example_test.go
@@ -15,45 +15,13 @@
 package othttp
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"log"
 	"net/http"
-
-	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global"
-	sdktrace "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/trace"
 )
 
 func ExampleNewTransport() {
-	// Start with a working trace provider
-	tp, err := sdktrace.NewProvider(sdktrace.WithConfig(sdktrace.Config{DefaultSampler: sdktrace.AlwaysSample()}))
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	global.SetTraceProvider(tp)
-
 	// Create an http.Client that uses the othttp.Transport
 	// wrapped around the http.DefaultTransport
-	client := http.Client{
+	_ = http.Client{
 		Transport: NewTransport(http.DefaultTransport),
 	}
-
-	// Make a request with our tracing client
-	response, err := client.Get("https://postman-echo.com/get")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
-	// Read the whole body and close it. The span created by the
-	// othttp.Transport does not end until a read from the response
-	// body returns io.EOF or the response body is closed.
-	body, err := ioutil.ReadAll(response.Body)
-	response.Body.Close()
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
-	fmt.Printf("%s", body)
-	// body should look like this, with a different "traceparent" value:
-	// {"args":{},"headers":{"x-forwarded-proto":"https","host":"postman-echo.com","accept-encoding":"gzip","traceparent":"00-fb1d6775b94db561d9b51adbb3640de5-919c41073ec08f50-01","user-agent":"Go-http-client/1.1","x-forwarded-port":"443"},"url":"https://postman-echo.com/get"}
 }
diff --git a/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go b/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go
index 33d0f4953bd..204dbdfbca9 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"math/rand"
 	"testing"
 
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/global"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/kv"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/label"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/api/metric"
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 type benchFixture struct {
-	meter       metric.MeterMust
+	meter       metric.Meter
 	accumulator *sdk.Accumulator
 	B           *testing.B
 	export.AggregatorSelector
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ func newFixture(b *testing.B) *benchFixture {
 	}
 
 	bf.accumulator = sdk.NewAccumulator(bf)
-	bf.meter = metric.Must(metric.WrapMeterImpl(bf.accumulator, "benchmarks"))
+	bf.meter = metric.WrapMeterImpl(bf.accumulator, "benchmarks")
 	return bf
 }
 
@@ -51,6 +52,14 @@ func (f *benchFixture) Process(export.Accumulation) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (f *benchFixture) Meter(_ string, _ ...metric.MeterOption) metric.Meter {
+	return f.meter
+}
+
+func (f *benchFixture) meterMust() metric.MeterMust {
+	return metric.Must(f.meter)
+}
+
 func makeManyLabels(n int) [][]kv.KeyValue {
 	r := make([][]kv.KeyValue, n)
 
@@ -82,7 +91,7 @@ func benchmarkLabels(b *testing.B, n int) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(n)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -117,7 +126,7 @@ func BenchmarkInt64CounterAddWithLabels_16(b *testing.B) {
 func BenchmarkAcquireNewHandle(b *testing.B) {
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labelSets := makeManyLabels(b.N)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -129,7 +138,7 @@ func BenchmarkAcquireNewHandle(b *testing.B) {
 func BenchmarkAcquireExistingHandle(b *testing.B) {
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labelSets := makeManyLabels(b.N)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...).Unbind()
@@ -145,7 +154,7 @@ func BenchmarkAcquireExistingHandle(b *testing.B) {
 func BenchmarkAcquireReleaseExistingHandle(b *testing.B) {
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labelSets := makeManyLabels(b.N)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...).Unbind()
@@ -199,11 +208,31 @@ func BenchmarkIterator_16(b *testing.B) {
 
 // Counters
 
+func BenchmarkGlobalInt64CounterAddWithSDK(b *testing.B) {
+	// Compare with BenchmarkInt64CounterAdd() to see overhead of global
+	// package. This is in the SDK to avoid the API from depending on the
+	// SDK.
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	fix := newFixture(b)
+
+	sdk := global.Meter("test")
+	global.SetMeterProvider(fix)
+
+	labs := []kv.KeyValue{kv.String("A", "B")}
+	cnt := Must(sdk).NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		cnt.Add(ctx, 1, labs...)
+	}
+}
+
 func BenchmarkInt64CounterAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -216,7 +245,7 @@ func BenchmarkInt64CounterHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 	handle := cnt.Bind(labs...)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -230,7 +259,7 @@ func BenchmarkFloat64CounterAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewFloat64Counter("float64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64Counter("float64.counter")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -243,7 +272,7 @@ func BenchmarkFloat64CounterHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	cnt := fix.meter.NewFloat64Counter("float64.counter")
+	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64Counter("float64.counter")
 	handle := cnt.Bind(labs...)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -259,7 +288,7 @@ func BenchmarkInt64LastValueAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewInt64ValueRecorder("int64.lastvalue")
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewInt64ValueRecorder("int64.lastvalue")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -272,7 +301,7 @@ func BenchmarkInt64LastValueHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewInt64ValueRecorder("int64.lastvalue")
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewInt64ValueRecorder("int64.lastvalue")
 	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -286,7 +315,7 @@ func BenchmarkFloat64LastValueAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewFloat64ValueRecorder("float64.lastvalue")
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64ValueRecorder("float64.lastvalue")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -299,7 +328,7 @@ func BenchmarkFloat64LastValueHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewFloat64ValueRecorder("float64.lastvalue")
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64ValueRecorder("float64.lastvalue")
 	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -315,7 +344,7 @@ func benchmarkInt64ValueRecorderAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewInt64ValueRecorder(name)
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewInt64ValueRecorder(name)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -328,7 +357,7 @@ func benchmarkInt64ValueRecorderHandleAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewInt64ValueRecorder(name)
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewInt64ValueRecorder(name)
 	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -342,7 +371,7 @@ func benchmarkFloat64ValueRecorderAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewFloat64ValueRecorder(name)
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64ValueRecorder(name)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
@@ -355,7 +384,7 @@ func benchmarkFloat64ValueRecorderHandleAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meter.NewFloat64ValueRecorder(name)
+	mea := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64ValueRecorder(name)
 	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -378,7 +407,7 @@ func BenchmarkObserverRegistration(b *testing.B) {
 	b.ResetTimer()
 
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		fix.meter.NewInt64ValueObserver(names[i], cb)
+		fix.meterMust().NewInt64ValueObserver(names[i], cb)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -386,7 +415,7 @@ func BenchmarkValueObserverObservationInt64(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	_ = fix.meter.NewInt64ValueObserver("test.valueobserver", func(_ context.Context, result metric.Int64ObserverResult) {
+	_ = fix.meterMust().NewInt64ValueObserver("test.valueobserver", func(_ context.Context, result metric.Int64ObserverResult) {
 		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 			result.Observe((int64)(i), labs...)
 		}
@@ -401,7 +430,7 @@ func BenchmarkValueObserverObservationFloat64(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	_ = fix.meter.NewFloat64ValueObserver("test.valueobserver", func(_ context.Context, result metric.Float64ObserverResult) {
+	_ = fix.meterMust().NewFloat64ValueObserver("test.valueobserver", func(_ context.Context, result metric.Float64ObserverResult) {
 		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 			result.Observe((float64)(i), labs...)
 		}
@@ -476,7 +505,7 @@ func benchmarkBatchRecord8Labels(b *testing.B, numInst int) {
 	var meas []metric.Measurement
 
 	for i := 0; i < numInst; i++ {
-		inst := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter(fmt.Sprint("int64.counter.", i))
+		inst := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter(fmt.Sprint("int64.counter.", i))
 		meas = append(meas, inst.Measurement(1))
 	}
 
@@ -509,7 +538,7 @@ func BenchmarkRepeatedDirectCalls(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
 
-	c := fix.meter.NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
+	c := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.counter")
 	k := kv.String("bench", "true")
 
 	b.ResetTimer()