FCC REQUIRES REGISTRATION NUMBERS
On October 23, 2001 the FCC released a Public Notice about the use of the new FCC Registration Numbers (FRN) effective December 3, 2001. What does the new FRN mean for current ULS licensees? On December 3, 2001,the current ULS login screen that requires your TIN (Tax Payer Identification Number which for individuals is your Social Security Number) and ULS password will be changed. The new login screen will allow you to enter either your TIN or FRN and will require your CORES password. For radio amateurs, your password will be the same as your current ULS password.The FCC recommends that you begin using your FRN to login on December 3 but you will still be able to continue using your TIN for an indefinite period of time.
If you choose to login with your TIN, the system will query CORES to locate the FRN associated with that TIN, and the following message will be displayed: "Your FCC Registration Number (FRN) is ##########. Please record this FRN and use it instead of your TIN for all future transactions with the FCC." Your FRN will appear in place of the hatch marks. Click "Ok" to continue. For those amateurs who have over the last two years been registered in ULS, most of them have been assigned and have an FRN associated with their TIN/ULS registration. The FCC plans to "auto-register" those radio amateurs presently registered in ULS but who do not yet have an FRN prior to the December 3rd launch date. When the transition to CORES has been completed, your FRN will appear in place of the Licensee ID on the ULS License Search results screen. After December 3rd, all amateurs will be automatically registered and receive an FRN as part of the renewal, modification or new licensee process. You can also register in CORES before you hold an amateur license. You may also register with the Commission Registration System (CORES) and receive an FRN number by clicking the "Register in CORES" button and selecting 'Register and receive your FRN' on the CORES Home Page." After completing your registration, you will be presented with a link back to the ULS TIN/Call Sign registration login page where you can provide the appropriate call sign. Another important change for current users is that updating information in CORES (such as an address change) does not update this information in ULS. You must file an "Administrative Update" (AU) application to update information pertaining to your license. If you file a paper application manually. As of December 3, 2001, you may provide your FRN on all paper forms submitted manually to the FCC where a TIN was previously required. If you do not have access to your FRN, contact the CORES Help Desk by (toll free) phone, (877) 480-3201 or by email, "CORES@fcc.gov". To obtain your FRN manually, submit an FCC Form 160 which is available on the FCC's web site at "http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html", or from the FCC's fax-on-demand service by dialing (202) 418-0177. How can I find my FRN? An easy method for finding your FRN for a particular license is to query the ULS "License Search" function. Enter a specific call sign, and select "Search." Your FRN will appear on your License record. Some of the publicly available on-line amateur databases may also provide your FRN. Performing a License Search in ULS The following instructions are for electronically searching for a specific license on file with the FCC. (1.) Connect to the FCC Network through the World Wide Web at "http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls".
(2.) Verify that Java and javascript are enabled in your web browser. Additionally, the preferences must specify "Accept all cookies." Refer to your web browser Help function for more information.
(3.) On the Universal Licensing System main page, click the "License Search" button, located in the center of the page or under the heading "ULS On-line Systems," on the menu on the left-hand side of the page.
(4.) Select "General" to search for a license. Then click the "Continue" button.
(5.) The License Search screen appears. This screen contains several data entry fields used for specifying the criteria for your license search. On the License Search screen, specify the search criteria necessary to locate the desired license such as the callsign. You must specify search criteria in at least one field.
(6.) After you have specified the desired search criteria, click the Search button. The system will scan the database for any licenses matching the search criteria. The matching license files will be listed on the Search Results screen. The Search Results screen will identify the call sign, last action date, licensee name, radio service code, and licensee ID for each license returned in the query. A message on the Search Results screen will indicate if no matches were found for the specified search criteria. Click the New Search button and specify your search criteria again.
(7.) To view a license, click its underlined call sign.
(8.) To access additional information about the license (such as Amateur's license class) ,click the down arrow in the license options field and select "Amateur Administration" from the drop-down menu of options and click the Go button.
(9.) To obtain the licensee's FRN, click on the "Licensee Information" button at the top of the screen. Note that there are two "Licensee Information" buttons. The second one from the left positions you further down the screen.
(10.) To begin a new search, click the down arrow in the Other Options field to obtain the drop-down menu of options. Click New Search from the Other Options menu and then click the Go button (or simply click on your browser back button.) How do I obtain an FRN? Some radio amateurs were previously issued an FRN. If you do not currently have an FRN and would like to obtain one, you should register your TIN and call sign prior to November 28, 2001. After this date, you should access CORES registration from the ULS TIN/Call Sign registration screen. This method will ensure that you have the ability to associate call signs with your newly issued FRN. Effective November 28, 2001, follow these steps; Select "TIN/Call Sign Registration" from the ULS homepage. Choose the "Register Now" button, and click "Continue" to be automatically linked to CORES. Provide the required information and you will receive a confirmation screen displaying your FRN number. Record this number for future reference. Choose the ULS link on the confirmation screen to return to ULS. How do I obtain a CORES password? CORES passwords will be the same as current ULS passwords. However, if your ULS password contained less than 6 characters, or more than 15 characters, it has automatically been adjusted to the new required length. CORES has placed asterisk (*) symbols at the end of passwords that were less than 5 characters to make them 6 characters in length. Similarly, CORES eliminated all characters following the 15th place. If you have registered manually in ULS and do not have your password, please contact the ULS Help Desk at (202) 414-1250 or by email at ulscomm@fcc.gov. If you register manually after December 3, 2001, you will receive a letter via postal mail containing your Password. For help after December 3, contact the CORES Help Desk by (toll free) phone at (877) 480-3201, or by email, "CORES@fcc.gov". How does FRN affect filing through a VEC? If you submit applications through a third party, such as a Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC) or Amateur Radio Club Administrator or Commercial Operator License Exam Managers (COLEMS), you may have been automatically registered in CORES. It is also possible that you have received multiple FRNs. To verify the status of your FRN(s), choose "License Search" from the ULS homepage, and query the ULS license database by call sign. Your FRN will be displayed on your license record. For application purposes, please make sure that you submit the correct FRN, TIN, or Licensee ID to your VEC. When new applications are granted, they are associated with the FRN-TIN provided on the application. How will CORES affect my ATIN(s)? The use of ATINS in ULS is being phased out. As of December 3, 2001, ATINS will no longer be assigned, and you will only be able to use your current ATIN(s) on the login screen during a short transitional period. Foreign amateurs that previously used ATINS must now be registered in CORES. Follow the "Register Now" link in ULS to access CORES registration. Amateur Clubs may register in CORES or simply leave the FRN/TIN blank and they will be "auto-registered" in CORES. Is it Possible to Deactivate FRNs? Yes, but we strongly recommend that prior to deactivating an FRN, you check the ULS licensing database to make sure no active call signs are associated with the FRN you plan to deactivate. You will not be able to file license applications, including Renewals and Modifications, for a call sign if the FRN associated with it has been deactivated. If you have inadvertently deactivated an FRN with an existing call sign, contact the CORES Help Desk by phone, (877)480-3201, or by email at: "CORES@fcc.gov". For Further Information or Assistance Effective December 3 2001, the CORES Help Desk will be the contact for all password-related issues. For assistance contact the CORES Help Desk by (toll free) phone, (877) 480-3201 or by email: "CORES@fcc.gov". CORES Help Desk hours are Monday-Friday from 7 A.M. to 10 P.M. Eastern Time (ET), Saturday 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. ET, and Sunday 12 noon-6 P.M. ET. Hours will be extended as of December 3. FCC Technical Support Hotline (ULS Help Desk): (202) 414-1250 or via email at "ulscomm@fcc.gov". Contact the Technical Support Hotline about questions concerning computer access to ULS, TIN registration, uploading files, or obtaining temporary passwords when your application has been previously auto-registered. The hotline is available Monday.-Friday, from 7 A.M.-10 P.M. ET, on Saturday from 8 A.M.-7 P.M. ET, and Sunday from 12 noon.-6 P.M. ET. In order to provide better service to ULS users and ensure the security of the electronic filing system, all calls are recorded.