Skip to main content Skip to search


Browse by
                    category
                Browse by
                    bureaus & offices
            About the FCC
          About the FCC
                      About the FCC Overview
                                                      What We Do
                                                      Rulemaking Process
                                                      Leadership
                                                      FCC Initiatives
                                                      Find People
                                                      Organizational Charts
                                                      Advisory Committees
                                                      Jobs and Internships
                                                      Contracting
                                                      Strategic Plans & Budgets
                                                      Contact
                                                                    FY 2025 Congressional Budget Justification
                                                      Privacy Policy
                                                      Accessibility Program
                Proceedings & Actions
          Proceedings & Actions
                      Proceedings and Actions Overview
                                                      Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
                                                      Commission Documents (EDOCS)
                                                      Most Active Proceedings
                                                      Items on Circulation
                                                      Ex-Parte
                                                      Daily Digest
                                                      Mergers & Transactions
                                                      Auctions
                Licensing & Databases
          Licensing & Databases
                      Overview
                                                      About Licensing
                                                      Databases
                                                      Fees
                                                      Forms
                                                      FCC Registration System (CORES)
                                                      System Alerts & Notifications
                                                      ASR
                                                      CDBS
                                                      CEFS
                                                      COALS
                                                      CORES
                                                      CSRS
                                                      DIRS
                                                      EA
                                                      ECFS
                                                      EDOCS
                                                      ELS
                                                      ETFS
                                                      ETRS
                                                      GenMen
                                                      HAM
                                                      KDB
                                                      KIDVID
                                                      LMS
                                                      ICFS
                                                      NORS
                                                      PIF
                                                      PIRATE
                                                      PSIX-ESIX
                                                      RLD
                                                      TCB
                                                      ULS
                                                      URS
                                                      VPD
                Reports & Research
          Reports & Research
                      Reports and Data Overview
                                                      Reports
                                                      Data
                                                      Guides
                                                                    Maps
                                                      Working Papers
                                                      For Developers
                                                                    Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
                                                      Workload Dashboard
                News & Events
          News & Events
                      News and Events Overview
                                                      Headlines
                                                      Commission Meetings
                                                      Events
                                                      Archived Events
                                                      FCC Podcast
                                                      Notes from the FCC
                                                      FCC Blog
                                                      RSS Feeds & Email Signup
                                                                    April 2024 Open Commission Meeting
                For Consumers
          For Consumers
                      Help Center Overview
                                                                    Consumer Complaint Center
                                                      Disability Rights
                                                      Headlines
                                                      Social Media
                                                                    Robocalls
                                                                    Consumer Complaint Center
              Consumer
                Enforcement
                Media
                Public Safety
                Space
                Wireless
                Wireline
                Offices
    
                  Search
  

  X
  Search Home
              Licensing & Databases
              Policy and Licensing Division

  Licensing Licensing & Databases
      

          

  Overview
                                        About Licensing
                                
  
  Featured Item
                  Off

  Mega Menu Desktop Only
                  Off
                                        Databases
                                
  
  Featured Item
                  Off

  Mega Menu Desktop Only
                  Off
                                        Fees
                                
  
  Featured Item
                  Off

  Mega Menu Desktop Only
                  Off
                                        Forms
                                
  
  Featured Item
                  Off

  Mega Menu Desktop Only
                  Off
                                        FCC Registration System (CORES)
                                
  
  Featured Item
                  Off

  Mega Menu Desktop Only
                  Off
                                        System Alerts & Notifications

  Land Mobile Radio for Public Safety
      

          
        UHF/VHF
                800 MHz Public Safety Spectrum
                RPC Directories
                700 MHz Public Safety Spectrum
                LicensingThe FCC is responsible for managing and licensing the electromagnetic spectrum for commercial users and for non-commercial users including: state, county and local governments. This includes public safety, commercial and non-commercial fixed and mobile wireless services, broadcast television and radio, satellite and other services.  In licensing the spectrum, the Commission promotes efficient and reliable access to the spectrum for a variety of innovative uses as well as promotes public safety and emergency response.

Getting Registered

If you wish to conduct business with the FCC, you must first register through the FCC's COmmission REgistration System (CORES). Upon registration, you will be assigned a FCC Registration Number (FRN). This number will be used to uniquely identify you in all transactions with the FCC.

FCC Licensing Systems

Universal Licensing System (ULS)

The Universal Licensing System allows electronic filing of applications processed by the Commission. The ULS allows you to indicate the application purpose and radio service code and guides you through the filing process until the application is submitted. The ULS also provides the ability to search for applications by providing information such as a file number, applicant name or application purpose or to search for licenses by providing information such as a call sign, licensee name or radio service. Other features of the ULS include the ability to download, in pipe delimited format, application and license data as well as the ability to use mapping software to visually display the specific location or overall geographic area of wireless licenses.

Broadcast Radio and Television Electronic Filing System (CDBS)

CDBS is Mass Media Bureau's Internet based system which permits electronic filing of broadcast radio and television application forms with the FCC. Public Internet access to these electronic filings as well as station, application, and authorization information is available through the CDBS Public Access Link.

Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS)

COALS is the Media Bureau's Internet based system which permits electronic filing of Cable Operator and Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) forms with the FCC. The Commission allows filers to obtain COALS system log-ins, submit cable community registrations and make operator information changes (see 47 CFR 76.1610). The public can also conduct searches of the Cable and CARS databases.

International Communications Filing System (ICFS)

ICFS is an internet-based system which allows for electronic filing of the following types of applications and forms: space station, earth station, Section 214, cable landing license, accounting rate change, recognized operating agency, international signaling point code (ISPC), data network identification code (DNIC), foreign carrier affiliation notification filings, and milestone/bond filings. ICFS also provides users with a whole host of query and reporting options. Our goal is to improve the speed and quality of service to our applicants, researchers and the general public.

OET Experimental Licensing System Electronic Filing

This website allows the public to electronically file Forms 442, 405, 702, 703, requests for Special Temporary Authority (STA) and include all necessary exhibits. In addition, several reporting options are also available.

        
        
                  **Updated:**
                Tuesday, April 11, 2023
 Text
                  Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554

  Link
        Phone: 1-888-225-5322
              ASL Video Call: 1-844-432-2275
              Fax: 1-866-418-0232
              Contact Us
              Visiting FCC Facilities

          
          Link
        Website Policies & Notices
              Privacy Policy
              FOIA
              No Fear Act Data
              Digital Strategy
              Open Government Directive
              Plain Writing Act
              RSS Feeds & Email Updates
              Accessibility
              Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
              USA.gov

          
          Text
                  CATEGORIES

  Link
        About the FCC
              Proceedings & Actions
              Licensing & Databases
              Reports & Research
              News & Events
              For Consumers

          
          Text
                  BUREAUS & OFFICES

  Link
        Consumer
              Enforcement
              Inspector General
              Media
              Public Safety
              Space
              Wireless
              Wireline
              Offices


          Twitter
        Facebook
        Youtube
        Instagram

          Federal Communications Commission