47 CFR Part 15
47 CFR Part 15 is the section of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 47 – Telecommunication, that governs radio frequency (RF) devices in the United States. It is issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The regulation defines conditions under which intentional, unintentional, and incidental radiators may operate without an individual license, provided they comply with specified technical standards to prevent harmful interference.
Scope and Application
47 CFR Part 15 applies to a wide range of RF devices, including:
Intentional radiators: devices that deliberately generate RF energy for communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFID)
Unintentional radiators: devices that generate RF energy as a byproduct (e.g., digital devices, computers, switching power supplies)
Incidental radiators: devices not designed to generate RF energy but may still emit interference (e.g., DC motors)
Part 15 is the legal framework for most consumer and industrial wireless products marketed in the United States.
Key Technical Requirements
| Device Category | Subpart & Key Parameters |
|---|---|
| Unintentional Radiators |
Subpart B Digital devices, peripherals, Class A/B equipment Conducted & radiated emissions limits |
| Intentional Radiators |
Subpart C Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFID, ISM-band devices Frequency bands, max output power, spurious emissions |
| U-NII Devices (5 GHz Wi-Fi) |
Subpart E Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure devices DFS, TPC, EIRP limits |
| White Space Devices |
Subpart H Operation in unused TV channels Database access, power limits |
| Ultra-Wideband (UWB) |
Subpart F Ground-penetrating radar, short-range UWB devices Band limits, peak/average emission masks |
| Device Category | Subpart | Scope | Key Parameters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unintentional Radiators | Subpart B | Digital devices, peripherals, Class A/B equipment | Conducted & radiated emissions limits |
| Intentional Radiators | Subpart C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFID, ISM-band devices | Frequency bands, max output power, spurious emissions |
| U-NII Devices (5 GHz Wi-Fi) | Subpart E | Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure devices | DFS, TPC, EIRP limits |
| White Space Devices | Subpart H | Operation in unused TV channels | Database access, power limits |
| Ultra-Wideband (UWB) | Subpart F | Ground-penetrating radar, short-range UWB devices | Band limits, peak/average emission masks |
- Note on Subpart B (Unintentional Radiators): Devices are categorized as Class A (intended for industrial environments) or Class B (intended for residential environments, with stricter limits).
- Test Procedures: Measurements are performed according to ANSI C63.4 (for unintentional radiators) and ANSI C63.10 (for intentional radiators).
Typical Compliance Process
Testing: Conducted and radiated emission tests in accredited laboratories.
Authorization:
Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for most unintentional radiators
Certification through an FCC-recognized TCB for intentional radiators
Documentation: Test reports, schematics, and user manuals form part of the FCC compliance filing.
Certification and Compliance
Compliance with 47 CFR Part 15 is required before marketing or importing devices into the U.S.
Unintentional radiators (e.g., IT equipment) typically follow the SDoC procedure.
Intentional radiators (e.g., wireless transmitters) require formal FCC certification.
Products must carry the FCC ID and the Part 15 compliance statement, including the interference acceptance conditions.
Lifecycle Relevance
Supports pre-compliance testing during development to identify potential failures.
Forms the basis for FCC certification prior to U.S. market entry.
Remains relevant for firmware updates or hardware modifications that may affect compliance.
Need Help?
We provide testing and certification services for devices subject to 47 CFR Part 15. Our accredited laboratories perform pre-compliance evaluations, FCC certification testing, and documentation support for successful U.S. market entry. → Learn more about our FCC Certification Services
Further Reading & Official Resources
Official FCC Regulation
-
47 CFR Part 15 – Radio Frequency Devices (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, eCFR)
This is the official source. For full and up-to-date regulatory documentation, please refer to the FCC’s Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). All references were verified as of September 2025.