Know Your Radios: Does This Radio Need an FCC License?

One of the most common questions I hear is:

“I bought this radio online. Can I just start using it?”

The answer depends on what service the radio was designed for.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates virtually every radio transmitter used in the United States. In fact, 47 CFR § 1.903 states:

“Stations in the Wireless Radio Services must be used and operated only in accordance with the rules applicable to their particular service as set forth in this title and with a valid authorization granted by the Commission.”

In other words, if a radio operates in one of the FCC’s licensed wireless radio services, you generally need the proper authorization before transmitting.

Fortunately, determining whether a license is required is usually easier than you might think.

Personal Radio Services

The FCC has established several Personal Radio Services that are intended for individuals and families. Some require a license, while others do not.

Family Radio Service (FRS)

License Required: No

FRS radios are designed for short-range communications. They are commonly sold in sporting goods stores and big-box retailers.

  • Maximum power of 0.5 watts on some channels and up to 2 watts on others.
  • Typical range is less than one-half mile in urban environments, although longer distances are possible under ideal conditions.
  • FRS radios may be used throughout the United States and its territories.
  • Older combination FRS/GMRS radios must legally be operated only on the FRS channels unless the operator holds a GMRS license. New dual-service combination radios are no longer marketed under current FCC rules.

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

License Required: Yes

GMRS is intended for personal and family communications.

  • One FCC license covers the licensee and their immediate family members.
  • Repeaters are permitted.
  • Businesses have not been eligible for new GMRS licenses since July 31, 1987.

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

License Required: No

MURS is a short-distance business and personal radio service operating on five VHF channels.

Key rules include:

  • Maximum transmitter power of 2 watts.
  • Users must cooperate to reduce interference.
  • No user has priority except emergency communications.
  • Repeaters are not permitted.

Citizens Band (CB)

License Required: No

CB Radio has been around for decades and remains popular among truck drivers, off-road enthusiasts, and hobbyists.

Important operating rules include:

  • Forty shared channels.
  • Radios must be FCC certified.
  • External power amplifiers are prohibited.
  • Maximum power is generally 4 watts AM or 12 watts PEP on Single Sideband (SSB).

Low Power Radio Service (LPRS)

License Required: No

LPRS serves specialized applications rather than general two-way communications.

Typical uses include:

  • Auditory assistance systems
  • Language translation
  • Educational assistance
  • Certain healthcare communications
  • Limited law enforcement tracking applications

LPRS operates on frequencies between 216 and 217 MHz.

Unlike many other radio services, routine two-way voice conversations are generally prohibited.

Amateur Radio (Ham Radio)

License Required: Yes

Amateur Radio is one of the most flexible radio services available but requires passing an FCC examination.

There are three license classes:

  • Technician
  • General
  • Amateur Extra

Amateur licenses are valid for ten years.

Unlike most commercial radios, radios designed exclusively for Amateur Radio operation generally are not required to be FCC certified, provided they are only capable of operating within the amateur bands.

Part 15 Devices

You probably use several Part 15 devices every day without realizing it.

Examples include Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, wireless keyboards, garage door openers, and countless other low-power transmitters.

Part 15 devices generally:

  • Operate without an individual FCC license.
  • Must be FCC authorized before being marketed in the United States (subject to limited exceptions).
  • May not cause harmful interference to licensed radio services.
  • Must accept any interference they receive.
  • Typically operate at very low power levels.

In other words, Part 15 devices operate on a “non-interference” basis. If they interfere with licensed communications, they must stop operating.

What About Business Radios?

This is where many people get into trouble.

Most commercial two-way radios used by businesses, utilities, manufacturers, transportation companies, schools, local governments, and public safety agencies operate under FCC Part 90.

Unlike the Personal Radio Services, Part 90 systems generally require:

  • An FCC license
  • Frequency coordination
  • Properly authorized equipment
  • Compliance with technical operating rules

This is the area where Forest Industries Telecommunications (FIT) can help.

How Can You Tell if a Radio Requires a License?

One of the easiest places to start is by locating the radio’s FCC ID.

The FCC ID is usually found:

  • On the back of the radio
  • Inside the battery compartment
  • Under the battery pack
  • On the manufacturer’s identification label

Once you’ve located the FCC ID:

  1. Write down the FCC ID exactly as shown.
  2. Visit the FCC Equipment Authorization Search page:
    https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid
  3. Enter the first three (or grantee code) characters in the first box and the remaining characters in the second.
  4. Open the equipment authorization record.



The equipment authorization will identify the FCC rule part under which the radio was certified, along with information such as operating frequencies, emission designators, and transmitter power.

If the authorization indicates the radio is certified under Part 90, chances are you’ll need an FCC license before transmitting.

Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Radios

The FCC has issued Enforcement Advisories concerning radios marketed online that are capable of transmitting on frequencies for which they are not authorized.

According to the FCC:

  • Retailers and operators may both be subject to enforcement.
  • Radios that are not properly authorized generally may not be imported, marketed, or operated in the United States.
  • Marketing violations can result in substantial monetary penalties, with forfeitures reaching tens of thousands of dollars per violation.

The fact that a radio is available for purchase online does not mean it is legal to use on every frequency it can transmit.

Still Not Sure?

If you’ve identified a radio that’s certified under FCC Part 90, or you’re unsure what service applies to your organization, contact a certified frequency coordinator before transmitting.

FIT has been assisting businesses, utilities, manufacturers, transportation companies, local governments, and other organizations with FCC licensing and frequency coordination for decades.

A few minutes of research before pressing the Push-to-Talk button can save you from costly enforcement actions, and help keep the radio spectrum working for everyone.

Coordinator’s phone – 541-485-8441
Coordinator’s email – license@landmobile.com