How to Get FCC Certification Online

What is FCC Certification?

FCC certification is a product certification for electronic and electrical products manufactured or sold in the United States. It certifies that the radio frequency emitted by the product is within the limits approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Types of FCC Certification

1. Self-Verification (FCC-VOC)

Manufacturers or importers ensure their products have undergone necessary testing to confirm compliance with relevant technical standards and retain the test report. The FCC has the authority to request samples or test data of the product from the manufacturer. Equipment that typically undergoes self-verification includes commercial computers, TV and FM receivers, and industrial, scientific, and medical equipment not intended for mass consumer use as per FCC Rule Part 18.

2. Declaration of Conformity (FCC-DOC)

The responsible party (usually the manufacturer or importer) tests the product at an FCC-designated qualified testing facility to ensure compliance with relevant technical standards and retains the test report. The FCC has the authority to request samples or test data of the product. Equipment that typically undergoes a declaration of conformity includes household computers and peripherals, consumer broadcast receivers, super-regenerative receivers, other receivers covered by FCC Rule Part 15, TV interface devices, cable system terminal devices, and industrial, scientific, and medical equipment intended for mass consumer use as per Part 18.

3. Certification (FCC-ID)

The FCC reviews the samples (or photos) and test data submitted by the applicant. If the product meets the FCC rules, an FCC ID number is granted. Equipment that typically undergoes certification includes low-power transmitters such as cordless phones, remote controls for automatic doors, radio-controlled toys, and security alarm systems, intentional radiators as per Part 15, consumer industrial, scientific, and medical equipment as per Part 18, automatic frequency control receivers, super-regenerative receivers, TV interface devices, and household computers and peripherals. The responsible party must ensure the product has an FCC ID label.

Products Subject to FCC Certification

FCC has established technical standards for testing electronic and electrical equipment based on the type of radio frequency emitted. The classifications include:

- FCC Part 15: Radio Frequency Devices

- FCC Part 18: Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment

- FCC Part 22: Cellular Phones

- FCC Part 24: Personal Communication Systems

- FCC Part 68: All types of Telecommunications Terminal Equipment

- FCC Part 74: Experimental Broadcasting, Auxiliary, Special Broadcasting, and Other Program Distribution Services

- FCC Part 90: Private Land Mobile Radio Services

- FCC Part 95: Personal Radio Services

Specific Applicable Products:

- Personal computers and peripherals (monitors, keyboards, power adapters, mice, etc.)

- Household appliances and power tools (refrigerators, irons, electronic sterilizers, electric toys, automatic rice cookers, washing machines, electric drills, nail guns, etc.)

- Audio and video products (radios, set-top boxes, home audio systems, etc.)

- Lighting fixtures (LED lights, energy-saving lamps, stage lights, embedded lights, etc.)

- Wireless products (Bluetooth, remote control toys, remote control switches, wireless thermometers, wireless mice and keyboards, etc.)

- Toys (metal toys, plastic toys, plush toys, electronic toys, etc.)

- Security products (alarms, security products, access control, cameras, etc.)

- Industrial machinery (food machinery, printing machinery, electrical control systems of machinery equipment, amusement facilities, etc.)

FCC Certification Test Items

- Radiated emission

- Conducted emission

- Harmonic current

- Flicker

- Frequency error

- Adjacent channel power

- Radiated spurious emission

- Conducted carrier power

- Effective radiated power

- Transmitter response to modulation frequency

- Modulation bandwidth of broadband devices

- Frequency stability under low voltage conditions

Classification of FCC Testing Standards

Generally, FCC classifies products under its jurisdiction based on usage into two main categories: Class A for commercial or industrial use products, and Class B for household use products. The standards for Class B products are stricter, with lower limits than Class A. For most electronic and electrical products, the primary standards are FCC Part 15 and FCC Part 18.

Summary of FCC Standards

- FCC Part 15: Radio Frequency Devices

  - Subpart B: Unintentional Radiators

  - Subpart C: Intentional Radiators

- FCC Part 18: Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment (ISM)

- FCC Part 68: Communication of Terminal Equipment of the Telephone Network

- FCC Part 87: Aviation Services

- FCC Part 90: Private Land Mobile Radio Services

- FCC Part 97: Amateur Radio Services

- IEEE/ANSI C63.4: American National Standard for Methods of Measurement of Radio-Noise Emissions from Low-Voltage Electrical and Electronic Equipment in the Range of 9 kHz to 40 GHz

- IEEE/ANSI C63.10: American National Standard of Procedures for Compliance Testing of Unlicensed Wireless Devices

- IEEE/ANSI C63.15: American National Standard Recommended Practice for the Immunity Measurement of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

- IEEE/ANSI C63.17: American National Standard Methods of Measurement of the Electromagnetic and Operational Compatibility of Unlicensed Personal Communications Services (UPCS) Devices

- FCC MP-5-1986: Methods of Measurement of Radio Noise Emissions from Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Equipment

How to Get FCC Certification Online?

1. Submit an application form to the testing agency.

2. Prepare test samples (wireless products require a fixed-frequency machine) and provide product information.

3. The testing agency issues a draft report for customer confirmation, then issues the formal report.

4. For FCC sDoC, the project is complete; for FCC ID, submit the report and technical data to the TCB.

5. TCB completes the review and issues the FCC ID certificate. The testing agency sends the formal report and FCC ID certificate.

6. Once the company obtains FCC certification, it can use the FCC mark and related statement on the product.

Note: Manufacturers applying for FCC ID certification for the first time need to register with FCC-FRN to establish the company file. The certificate issued by TCB after the review will include an FCC ID number, usually consisting of "Manufacturer Code (Grantee Code)" + "Product Code."

Application Materials:

1. User manual

2. Block diagram

3. Operation description

4. Circuit schematic

5. RF modulation

6. Rated power declaration

7. TCB Form 731

8. Power of Attorney (POA)

9. FCC confidentiality letter

FCC ID certification information：

1. FCC Application Form: Accurate information on the applicant company's name, address, contact person information, product name and model, usage standards, etc.

2. FCC Authorization Letter: Signed and stamped by the contact person of the applicant company and scanned into an electronic file.

3. FCC Confidentiality Letter: Signed and stamped by the contact person of the applicant company and scanned into an electronic file, ensuring confidentiality of product information between the applicant company and TCB.

4. Block Diagram: Showing all crystals and their frequencies, consistent with the circuit diagram.

5. Circuit Diagram: Must match the frequency, quantity, and location of crystals in the block diagram.

6. Line Description: In English, clearly describing the function realization principle of the product.

7. User Manual: Must include the FCC statement.

8. Label and Label Location: The label must include the FCC ID number and statement, and the label location must be prominent.

9. Product Internal and External Photos: Clear and detailed photos with necessary remarks.

10. Test Report: Completed according to standard terms, fully evaluating the product.