Transition to Five-Character Grantee Codes
On April 9, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) issued a Public Notice (DA 13-669) announcing that it will begin issuing five-character grantee codes on May 1, 2013. This operational update follows an Order adopted by the Commission on June 13, 2012 (27 FCC Rcd 6565), which modified 47 C.F.R. Sections 2.925 and 2.926 to expand the available supply of grantee codes for certified radiofrequency (RF) equipment.
Under 47 C.F.R. Part 2 Subpart J, RF devices subject to the FCC certification procedure must carry a unique FCC Identifier (FCC ID) label. The expansion to five-character codes increases the overall code pool to support ongoing equipment authorization activities.
- Public Notice DA 13-669 released on April 9, 2013.
- Rule changes adopted under 27 FCC Rcd 6565 (2012) modifying 47 C.F.R. ยงยง 2.925 and 2.926.
- OET start date for issuing five-character codes set for May 1, 2013.
Format Specifications and Impact on FCC IDs
The new five-character grantee codes will begin with an Arabic numeral between 2 and 9, followed by four alphanumeric characters comprising capital letters or Arabic numerals between 2 and 9.
Because an FCC ID consists of the Commission-issued grantee code combined with a grantee-selected product code of one to fourteen characters, the maximum total length of an FCC ID using a five-character grantee code will increase to 19 characters. Devices using standard three-character grantee codes remain capped at a maximum length of 17 characters.
Applicants that already hold previously issued and paid-for three-character grantee codes may continue using them for equipment authorizations.
- Five-character code structure: First character is a numeral (2-9); remaining four characters are capital letters or numerals (2-9).
- Total FCC ID length: Up to 19 characters for five-character grantee codes; up to 17 characters for three-character codes.
- Product code length allowance: 1 to 14 characters chosen by the grantee.
- Existing three-character codes remain valid for use by current holders.
Administrative and Contact Information
The FCC equipment authorization program ensures that RF equipment complies with technical rules and operates without causing harmful interference across the radio spectrum.
Questions regarding the implementation of the five-character grantee codes can be directed to George Tannahill in the Office of Engineering and Technology by telephone at (301) 362-3026 or by email at george.tannahill@fcc.gov.
- Bureau contact: George Tannahill, (301) 362-3026, george.tannahill@fcc.gov
- Regulatory authority: 47 C.F.R. Part 2 Subpart J