Glossary

A

Application purpose

The reason an application was filed, shown on every grant record: for example Original Equipment (the first grant under an FCC ID), a Class I, II or III Permissive Change, or a Change in Identification.Read the guide →

C

Certification

The FCC equipment authorization procedure for devices with the greatest potential to cause interference, such as radio transmitters. A TCB reviews the application and test data, then issues a grant.Read the guide →

Change in Identification

A grant that authorizes an already certified device under a new FCC ID, without electrical changes.Read the guide →

Class I Permissive Change

A modification that does not degrade the characteristics reported in the original application. No filing is required.Read the guide →

Class II Permissive Change

A modification that degrades performance characteristics reported in the original application. New test data is filed; the FCC ID stays the same.Read the guide →

Class III Permissive Change

A software change to a software-defined radio that alters its frequency range, modulation type or maximum output power.Read the guide →

E

E-label

An electronic label: the FCC ID shown on a device’s built-in screen, for example in the settings menu, instead of on a physical label. It must be reachable in no more than three steps, without special codes or accessories (47 CFR § 2.935).Read the guide →

Equipment Authorization System (EAS)

The FCC's public database of equipment authorization applications and grants, and the source of every record on this site.Read the guide →

Equipment class

A code on the grant describing the type of device, such as DTS for a digital transmission system or NII for a U-NII device.

F

FCC ID

The unique identifier of a certified device: a grantee code followed by a product code.Read the guide →

G

Grant

The authorization issued when an application for certification is approved.Read the guide →

Grantee

The company or person a grant is issued to, responsible for the device's continued compliance.Read the guide →

Grantee code

The code the FCC assigns to a grantee: 3 characters for older registrations, 5 for newer ones.Read the guide →

I

Intentional radiator

A device that deliberately generates and emits radio frequency energy, such as a Bluetooth or WiFi transmitter.Read the guide →

ISM equipment

Industrial, scientific and medical equipment that uses RF energy for purposes other than communication. Covered by Part 18.Read the guide →

K

KDB

The FCC's Knowledge Database: published guidance on test procedures and authorization requirements.

O

Original Equipment

The application purpose for a device's first grant under its FCC ID.Read the guide →

P

Part 15

The FCC rules for radio frequency devices that operate without an individual license: intentional, unintentional and incidental radiators.Read the guide →

Part 18

The FCC rules for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment.Read the guide →

Permissive change

A change to an already certified device that the FCC allows without a new FCC ID. There are three classes: Class I needs no filing, Class II needs new test data filed with a TCB, and Class III covers certain software-defined radio updates. Changes to the core radio design need a new certification.Read the guide →

Product code

The part of an FCC ID after the grantee code, chosen by the grantee. Up to 14 characters.Read the guide →

S

SDoC (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity)

A self-approval procedure for lower-risk devices. No FCC ID is issued.Read the guide →

Short-term confidentiality

A request to keep certain exhibits, such as photos or the user manual, out of public view for a limited period.

T

TCB (Telecommunication Certification Body)

An accredited organization recognized by the FCC to review applications and issue grants of certification.Read the guide →

U

U-NII

Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure: the 5 and 6 GHz bands used by WiFi, covered by Part 15 Subpart E.Read the guide →

Unintentional radiator

A device that generates RF energy internally, such as a computer's clock circuits, but is not designed to emit it.Read the guide →