What Business, Amateur Radio (ham), and GMRS License Holders Need to Know
ffective February 5, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a rule requiring all FCC Registration Number (FRN) holders to update their contact information within 10 business days of any change.
If you hold a Business, Amateur (ham) or GMRS license, this applies to you. This is not a dramatic regulatory shift, but it is an important administrative requirement.
What's Changed?
Under new section 1.8002(b)(2) of the FCC rules:
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FRN holders must update email and mailing address
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Updates must be made within 10 business days of a change
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The requirement applies to all FRN holders, not just entities involved in robocall proceedings
Previously, licensees were required to keep contact information current, but no specific deadline existed. Now there is.
Important: Two Systems, Two Separate Records
This is where many operators get tripped up.
Your contact information exists in two separate FCC systems. Updating one does not update the other and both must be kept accurate.
CORES (FRN System)
This contains the contact information tied to your FCC Registration Number (FRN). The 10-business day update requirement applies here.
License Manager
This contains the contact information associated with your actual license (Business, Amateur, GMRS, etc.). Contact information must be kept current under part 97 rules, even though no specific 10-day deadline is stated.
What Happens If You Don't Update?
Existing amateur rules (Sections 97.21 and 97.23) still allow the FCC to suspend or revoke a license if official correspondence is returned as un-deliverable due to an incorrect address or email.
While the recent proceeding focused on robocalls, the FCC clarified that:
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The 10-day update deadline applies to all FRN holders
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Robocall-related fines do not apply to amateur licensees
- Licensees remain responsible for maintaining accurate contact information under existing FCC rules.
Quick Action Checklist
If your contact information has not changed — no immediate action is required.
☐ Set an annual calendar reminder to review both systems
If it has changed (or changes in the future) do the following within 10 business days:
☐ Log into CORES and verify FRN contact information
☐ Verify License Manager contact information
☐ Set an annual calendar reminder to review both systems
Why This Matters (Beyond Compliance)
Communications resilience is not just about equipment, antennas, and propagation.
It includes:
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Administrative readiness
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Regulatory awareness
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Professional & license standards
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Reliability in small details
If the FCC cannot reach you, your license(s) can be suspended and operational capability can be disrupted.
Resources
- FCC Public Notice
- FCC CORES (FRN) Update Tutorial
- FCC FRN Help Desk: (877) 480-3201 (8 AM - 6 PM ET)
- ARRL Guidance on License Updates
Our Perspective
Operational readiness includes the small things.
Ten minutes verifying your FRN and license contact information today can prevent larger problems later.
Need Assistance?
If you would like assistance navigating FCC systems or building a structured communications readiness plan for your organization, feel free to reach out.
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