US FCC Certification

Overview

The FCC Certification system covers the full range of electronic products from simple digital circuits to complex wireless communication terminals, and is one of the most important product market access barriers for the US market. Products without FCC Certification may not be sold, imported, or used in the United States; violators will face severe penalties including hefty fines, product seizure, and market bans. The Scope of Application of FCC Certification is extremely broad, covering virtually all consumer electronics, industrial controls, communication equipment, and home appliances.

According to the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 47, any Electronic and Electrical Products that intentionally or unintentionally emit radio frequency energy must pass FCC Certification or comply with FCC-prescribed conformity assessment procedures before entering the US market. The core objective of FCC Certification is to ensure that electronic devices do not cause harmful interference to public communication networks and other electronic devices during use, safeguarding electromagnetic compatibility and safety.

Stands for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Certification (Federal Communica

Full name: FCC Certification

Applicable Products

Applicable Products and Service Categories

FCC Certification applies to all electronic devices operating at frequencies above 9 k Hz. Specifically includes personal computers and peripherals (printers, keyboards, mice, monitors), home appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, induction cookers), audio/video products (TVs, stereos, DVD players), digital products (digital cameras, tablets, smartwatches), lighting products (LED fixtures, fluorescent ballasts), security products (cameras, access control systems, alarms), industrial control equipment (PLC controllers, inverters, industrial robots), etc.

Wireless communication devices are a key regulated category under FCC Certification, including mobile phones and smartphones, Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi Devices (wireless routers, wireless adapters, wireless hotspots), Zigbee devices, Wireless Microphones, walkie-talkies, GPS navigation devices, drone remote control systems, Io T sensors, 5G communication equipment, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices, wireless charging devices, etc.

In addition, FCC also regulates certain special-purpose devices, such as medical telemetry devices, Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band devices, automotive radar systems, satellite communication terminals, etc. Whether products are sold through physical channels or e-commerce platforms, as long as they target the US market, they must meet FCC Certification requirements.

Certification Mark

FCC marks include two forms: FCC ID and FCC SDo C.FCC ID is a dedicated certification number for wireless transmitting devices (FCC Part 15 Subpart C, Part 22/24/25/27/90/95, etc.), assigned directly by the FCC Commission.FCC IDconsists of two parts: the Grantee Code (3 to 10 uppercase letters or digits) and the Product Code (Product Code (1 to 14 uppercase letters, digits, or hyphens), in the format ABC-XYZ1234.

FCC SDo C (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity) applies to unintentional radiators (FCC Part 15 Subpart A/B), where the manufacturer or importer self-declares that the product complies with FCC Technical Standards, without requiring FCC review or issuing a certificate. Products using SDo C must include a compliance declaration document with the product or manual, containing product description, applicable standards, manufacturer information, etc.

All FCC Certification products must display the corresponding FCC identification and compliance declaration information on product labels or packaging. For wireless devices that have obtained an FCC ID, the FCC ID number must also be displayed on the product. Some products require warning statements informing users of Important Notes about potential interference from the device. The size, position, and display method of the mark must comply with FCC labeling regulations to ensure clear identification by consumers and regulators.

Test Items

Core Test Items and Indicators

The Test Items for FCC Certification are determined based on product type and applicable regulatory parts. Main test standards include FCC Part 15 (RF devices), Part 18 (ISM equipment), Part 22 (cellular phones), Part 24 (personal communications services), Part 25 (satellite communications), Part 27 (miscellaneous wireless communications services), Part 95 (personal radio services), Part 97 (amateur radio), etc.

Unintentional radiators (Part 15B) require conducted emission testing and radiated emission testing, with test frequency range from 150 k Hz to 1 GHz(extended to 18 GHz and above for some products). Testing follows ANSI C63.4 standard, assessing interference generated by the device through power lines and spatial radiation to determine whether electromagnetic interference is within Limits.

Intentional radiators (Part 15C) require frequency tolerance testing, occupied bandwidth testing, spurious emissions testing, antenna port emission testing, power density testing, spectrum mask testing, and other wireless parameter tests in addition to conducted and radiated emission tests. For devices using unlicensed bands, advanced function verification such as Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) is also required.

SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) testing is an important Test Item for mobile phones and short-range wireless communication devices, measuring the energy absorption value of human body exposure to RF electromagnetic fields according to IEEE 1528 standard. SAR Limits are jointly established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The head SAR value must be below 1.6 W/kg (averaged over 1g of tissue). Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Devices that exceed certain transmit Limits must also undergo SAR evaluation.

Certification Process

Complete Process from Application to Certification

The standard process for FCC Certification includes the following stepsStep 1: Determine product classification and applicable standards. Companies need to identify the applicable FCC regulatory parts (Part 15/18/22/24, etc.) and conformity assessment path (SDo C or Certification).

Step 2: Prepare test samples and technical documents. Applicants need to prepare fully functional test units (typically 2-3 units), Product Manual, circuit schematic, block diagram, Component List (BOM), RF parameter table, and other Technical Documents. For wireless devices, antenna specification sheets and frequency configuration files must also be provided.

Step 4: Submit to TCB (Telecommunication Certification Body) for review. For products requiring an FCC ID, the Test Report and technical documents must be submitted to an FCC-recognized Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) for review. After TCB approval, the FCC ID is registered in the FCC database and a certificate is issued.

Step 5: Product label compliance and market launch. After certification, companies must properly mark the FCC ID or compliance declaration on products per FCC requirements and retain technical documents for at least 5 years. A quality control system must also be established to ensure consistency between mass-produced products and certified samples.

Step 3: Conduct product testing at an FCC-recognized laboratory. Testing must be performed at an FCC-designated certified laboratory (such as A2LA or NVLAP accredited laboratories). After testing is completed, the laboratory issues a detailed Test Report recording the results of all electromagnetic compatibility and RF parameter tests.

Required Documents

Required Documents and Materials for Application

FCC Certification applications require the following core Technical DocumentsProduct Application Form (including manufacturer information, product name, model, trademark, etc.), Circuit Schematic and PCB Layout Diagram, product block diagram, component list (BOM List), Product Manual, label artwork samples.

For wireless devices, RF Circuit Diagrams, antenna specification sheets (gain, directivity, impedance parameters), operating frequency lists, modulation method descriptions, transmit power parameters, frequency configuration files, etc. must also be provided. Software Defined Radio (SDR) devices require software architecture descriptions and security control documentation.

Test samples required by the laboratory include finished product units and test fixtures. Samples must be in normal production-ready condition with all ports and functions complete. For multi-model product series, a model difference statement must be provided to demonstrate consistency in electromagnetic compatibility across models. All technical documents must be written in English or provided with English translations, and organized per FCC-specified formats.

Important Notes

Important Information Before Applying

One of the common issues in FCC Certification is improper product classification. Many companies fail to accurately determine the applicable regulatory parts before applying, leading to missing Test Items or redundant testing. It is recommended to consult a professional laboratory before applying to determine whether the product is an unintentional radiator (Part 15B), intentional radiator (Part 15C), or ISM equipment (Part 18) to correctly select test standards and conformity assessment paths.

Another Frequently Asked Question is excessive antenna gain and transmit power. Some wireless products do not adequately consider FCC transmit power Limits during design, resulting in non-compliant radiated emission tests. Companies should incorporate FCC Technical Requirements into design specifications early in product development, reserving sufficient power margin. A safety margin of at least 6 d B below Limits is generally recommended.

After FCC Certification is completed, companies must also pay attention to product change management. Any changes involving circuit design, software parameters, antenna specifications, or housing materials may affect certification validity and require re-evaluation or re-testing. For modular certified products, it must be confirmed whether the integrated module's FCC ID coverage includes the final product. Additionally, the FCC periodically updates Technical Standards and Regulatory Requirements, and companies should stay informed of regulatory changes to ensure continued product compliance.

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US FCC Certification

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Professional Testing

Document Processing

Fast Certification

Overview

Applicable Products

Certification Mark

Test Items

Certification Process

Required Documents

Important Notes

Why Choose Anmai Testing for US FCC Certification

Fast Certification

Authoritative Qualification

Professional Team

Transparent Pricing

Global Coverage

Need US FCC Certification?