FCC Application and FCC Certification Process
Intertek’s expertise guides you through the FCC certification process. The information below is provided to facilitate the initiation of an FCC application for your FCC Certificate
When submitting a TCB application, please indicate the desired completion date and intended marketing date. In cases where the TCB determines that it is unable to meet these dates, we will estimate the earliest date that it might be possible to start the review based on complexity of the project and current reviewer workload. The duration of the review depends on the complexity of the product and radio technologies, the quality of the submitted documentation, and on prompt responses to any inquiries the TCB reviewer has, and cannot begin until the full set of required documentation is received and all administrative issues are resolved. Providing a complete documentation package and promptly responding to any requests for additional documentation, clarification, or amendments will help expedite your application and meet your desired completion date.
The list of required exhibits in support of a FCC radio certification can be found in 47 CFR Part §2.1033 of the FCC rules. Note that a different set of exhibits is required for applications for unlicensed radios, licensed radios, and unintentional radiators, as described in the FCC rules linked above. Further information and example templates for some exhibits can be found in the table below.
Email completed forms and additional questions about the application process to tcb_admin@intertek.com. Where signatures are required, either a handwritten or a digital signature is acceptable. Please be aware that documents must be provided in PDF format and the file size may not exceed 6 MB. The name of each document should also reflect which requirement it is fulfilling, i.e., schematics.pdf is a good name for the schematics file.
Required Information for FCC Certification and Product Registration
Title | Description and Documents/Templates |
TCB User Guide | Learn how the TCB certification process works in detail by downloading this guide. Download the guide here |
FCC Registration Number (FRN) | Applicant's 10 digit code assigned by the FCC which can be obtained here: FCC Commission Registration System (CORES). |
FCC Grantee Code | A 3 or 5 character code issued by the FCC to identify all certified products associated with a certain company. If you do not have an FCC Grantee Code you may obtain it from the FCC here. All newly issued Grantee Codes have 5 characters. |
FCC Identifier (FCC ID) | The FCC ID is made up of no more than 14 alpha-numeric characters appended to your company's 3 or 5-character grantee code. Hyphens are also allowed, but count as one of the 14 characters. Get additional Labeling guidelines for certification from the FCC website in KDB 784748 here. |
Form 731 | The Form 731 is a required document for every FCC certification application, and is used to describe the type of certification and provide related information such as contact information, and for the applicant to attest that they meet the Anti-Drug Abuse requirements of 21 U.S.C. § 862, as well as signing off on the application. The Form 731 must be signed by the grantee code contact of record, or their designated representative authorized via a signature delegation letter. Download the Form 731 Template here
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Confidentiality Request Letter | Some certification exhibits may be held confidential with adequate justification. for requests for confidentiality per 47 CFR Parts §0.457 and §0.459. See KDB 726920 for more information. |
Letter of Agency (for application submission) | Letter to allow Consultant to act on behalf of Client on your behalf with Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc for the purposes of submitting application documentation and correspondence to the Intertek TCB. This letter may also be used for the grantee code contact of record to authorize another person in their company to sign application documents on their behalf. The letter must be on company letterhead and must be signed by the grantee code contact of record. |
Covered List Attestation | An attestation regarding the “covered list” is required with all applications. The “covered list”, which is maintained and provided by the US Government, is a list of companies with restrictions on the specific equipment types that are allowed to be certified. The types of equipment that are prohibited from being certified are called “covered” equipment. The applicant is required to certify whether or not they are identified on the “covered list” or are a subsidiary or affiliate of any such entity pursuant to 47 CFR part §1.50002 and as required by 47 CFR part §2.911(d)(5)(ii) of the FCC rules. The applicant is also required to certify that the equipment for which authorization is sought is not “covered” equipment prohibited from receiving an equipment authorization pursuant to 47 CFR part §2.903 of the FCC rules and does not originate directly or indirectly from any company named on the covered list or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof. The Covered List is located at: |
US Representative Attestation | Pursuant to 47 CFR part §2.911(d)(7) of the FCC rules, all certification applications require a U.S. agent, regardless of whether the grantee seeking certification is located in the United States. The U.S. agent is different from an agent designated by a letter of agency because the U.S. agent is required to accept service of process regarding the application. The applicant is required to maintain an agent for no less than one year after the termination of all marketing and importation or the conclusion of any commission-related proceeding involving the equipment. An applicant based in the United States may designate themselves as their U.S. agent for service of process. It is also possible to designate a U.S. agent for all applications for a specific grantee. Download the appropriate U.S. Agent Attestation template below: |
Other Attestation Statements | Some applications require additional attestations as specified in the applicable rule parts for the device being certified and/or in 47 CFR Part §2.1033. Attestations must be provided on company letterhead and signed by the grantee or their signature delegate (not an agent). |
User’s Manual | A copy of the installation and operating instructions to be furnished to the user per 47 CFR Part §2.1033. Contains information per 47 CFR §15.21, §15.105, §18.213 and RF exposure safety instructions as needed. A draft document is acceptable as long as it reflects the actual required FCC text that will be present in the final document, which should be provided when available. More information can be found in KDB 784748. |
Tune-up Info | For licensed radio, the tune-up procedure over the power range, or at specific operating power levels is required per 47 CFR Part §2.1033(c)(12). Not applicable to certifications under parts 11, 15, or 18. |
Operational Description | A brief description of the circuit functions of the device along with a statement describing how the device operates, including a description of the radio circuitry and how the radio signal is developed. This statement should contain a description of the ground system and antenna, if any, used with the device per 47 CFR Part §2.1033. For certifications for licensed radio under rule parts other than 11, 15, and 18, the following additional items must be included: |
Block Diagrams | A block diagram showing the frequency of all oscillators in the device. The signal path and frequency shall be indicated at each block per 47 CFR Part §2.1033(b)(8). This exhibit is only required for unlicensed devices operating under parts 11, 15, or 18. |
Schematics | A schematic diagram for intentional radiators per 47 CFR Part §2.1033. This is required for all intentional radiators (radio devices). |
Test Report | A report of measurements showing compliance with the pertinent FCC technical requirements. This report shall identify the test procedure used, the date the measurements were made, the location where the measurements were made, and the device that was tested per 47 CFR Part §2.1033, as well as sample calculations for all measurement calculations in the report. |
Test Setup Photographs | Test Set up photos shall be provided as a separate exhibit. |
External Photos | A sufficient number of photographs to clearly show the exterior appearance, the construction, the component placement on the chassis, and the chassis assembly per 47 CFR Part §2.1033. |
ID / Label Locations | Label in sufficient detail so that the name and FCC identifier can be read. In lieu of a photograph of the label, a sample label (or facsimile thereof) may be submitted together with a sketch showing where this label will be placed per 47 CFR Part §2.1033. When it is not practical or desirable to include the applicable label text, it may be moved to the manual however the FCC ID must be displayed on the label. Electronic display of the FCC ID is also an option. See KDB784748 on Labeling for details. |
Internal Photos | A sufficient number of photographs to clearly show construction, component placement, chassis assembly per 47 CFR Part §2.1033. Please ensure that both the front and back of all PC boards are shown, including photos with and without shielding cans in place. Photos should also be with batteries removed when applicable. This exhibit should also demonstrate how the boards are assembled within the chassis, and the location of the antenna should be shown. |
Request for Modular Approval | This letter specifically requests modular approval for your product. For each item listed provide specific examples explaining how your product fulfills the applicable requirement. Examples are provided for each item. If not all the requirements can be met, it may be possible to obtain a Limited Modular Approval instead, however in such cases, the application becomes subject to FCC oversight and approval via the Pre-Approval Guidance (PAG) process described in KDB 388624. |
Detailed Module Integration Instructions | Detailed module integration instructions are required to be provided to the end host product integrator. These instructions must include all regulatory notices that must be included in the host product manual, proper labeling for the host, any information that the host integrator will need in order to legally integrate your module into their product, and instructions on when additional certification is required. Note that the FCC requires all products to comply with FCC rules and recommends testing of module radio characteristics in host products. An example is provided to use as a starting point. Example Module Integration Instruction Further information about modular integration requirements can be found in KDB 996369 D03 “OEM Manual” and KDB 996369 D04 “Module Integration Guide”. |
Antenna Information | Manufacturer data on each antenna, including antenna type and gain. All part 15 applications will need to show how the antenna gain was derived either from a manufacturer data sheet or a measurement. Where the gain of the antenna is inherently accounted for as a result of the measurement, such as field strength measurements on a 47 CFR Part §15.249 or §15.231 device, so the gain does not necessarily need to be verified. However, enough information regarding the construction of the antenna shall be provided. Such information may be photographs, length of wire antenna etc. The antenna gain information shall be made public (not confidential). Any proprietary information such as construction may be stripped from the gain information report and held confidential. The main antenna information we require is the maximum gain of the antenna for the band of operation. This information must be provided as a data sheet or a measurement report. For licensed radio rule parts, antenna information may be needed in cases where integral antennas are used and/or when compliance is dependent on the antenna characteristics. |
For questions regarding forms and the application process, send an email to tcb_admin@intertek.com.
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