FCC Rules, 47 CFR Part 15 Subparts C-F, H - Intentional Radiators (certification by a Telecommunication Certification Body, FCC ID)
Intentional radiators, i.e. devices that intentionally generate and emit radio frequency energy by radiation or induction and may be operated without an individual license (examples given: Wi-Fi transmitters, Bluetooth radio devices, wireless garage door openers).
Market: United States. Legal basis: 47 CFR 15.201 and Part 15 Subpart C; 47 CFR Part 2 Subpart J (2.907, 2.909, 2.926, 2.938). The table shows what the official pages state, with the wording and the date we read it. A row marked "Not stated" means the pages we read do not say; it does not mean there is no rule.
What the official pages state
| Question | What the official page states | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Intentional radiators, i.e. devices that intentionally generate and emit radio frequency energy by radiation or induction and may be operated without an individual license (examples given: Wi-Fi transmitters, Bluetooth radio devices, wireless garage door openers). Matches products that: mains power or battery power, a radio transmitter or receiver. Further conditions: Which Part 15 subpart and technical limits apply depends on frequency band and function. Some low-power cases (carrier current systems, devices under 15.211/15.213/15.221, devices below 490 kHz with emissions 40 dB below 15.209 limits) are SDoC rather than certification (15.201(a)); home-built devices are exempt under 15.23. Licensed radio services (e.g. cell phones) fall under other Parts and are also subject to certification. A receive-only product is generally not an intentional radiator. Official wordingAn intentional radiator (defined in Section 15.3 (o)) is a device that intentionally generates and emits radio frequency energy by radiation or induction that may be operated without an individual license. | www.fcc.gov read 2026-10-03 |
| How conformity is shown | Third-party testing or certification required 15.201(b): all intentional radiators under Part 15 are certified by Telecommunication Certification Bodies before marketing, except those exempted in 15.201(c) and 15.23; 15.201(a) lists limited cases handled by SDoC. Official wordingExcept as otherwise exempted in paragraph (c) of this section and in § 15.23 , all intentional radiators operating under the provisions of this part shall be certified by the Telecommunication Certification Bodies pursuant to the procedures in subpart J of part 2 of this chapter prior to marketing. | www.ecfr.gov read 2026-10-03 |
| Mark and declaration | FCC ID (grantee code + product code), on a label or provided electronically if the device has a display A grant of certification lists the FCC Identifier; the grantee code is assigned by the FCC and the product code by the grantee. The FCC ID page says FCC IDs are usually shown on a label, or provided electronically for devices with a built-in display. Official wordingA grant of certification will list the validated FCC Identifier consisting of the grantee code assigned by the FCC pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, and the equipment product code assigned by the grantee pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section. | www.ecfr.gov read 2026-10-03 |
| Official fee | Not stated no fee amount stated in saved pages (2.926(c) refers to a fee under 47 CFR 1.1103 for the grantee code, but states no amount); TCB fees are private and excluded | — |
| Steps and documents | Included in the $49 checklist. See the checklist | — |