AM and FM full service stations, Low Power FM (LPFM) stations, and interested persons may check the Commission's address-of-record by using the Mailing Address Query. FM Translator Stations may verify the mailing address through the "Station Information" link in CDBS Public Access.

Requests for correction of mailing address must be submitted using FCC Form 5072, Change in Official Mailing Address for Broadcast Station. This form can be downloaded from the FCC's Forms page. Completed forms can be sent to the Commission as follows:

A Public Notice released August 22, 2003 [ PDF | Word ] provides additional guidance on filing items with the Commission, including electronic media submissions. Courtesy copies may be sent directly to the Audio Division, License Renewal Processing Team, using these addresses.

Public inspection file requirements do not apply to FM translator stations. Low Power FM (LPFM) stations are exempt from the local public file requirement, but must continue to maintain a political file.

The following lists indicate license renewal application filing dates, license expiration dates, and petition to deny filing dates, for noncommercial educational FM, commercial AM and FM, FM Translator, and low power FM stations. Renewal dates are based on the location (state, territory, etc.) of the station's community of license, not the station's transmitter site location. Dates for radio broadcast station renewals fall between 2011 and 2014, inclusive. (Lists will open in a new browser window.)

• Radio broadcast renewal dates by STATE: [ PDF | Word ]
• Radio broadcast renewal sates by DATE:   [ PDF | Word ]

License renewal applications (FCC Form 303-S) must be filed four months prior to the station's license expiration date. Details on the process are provided in the following sections.

As a courtesy, approximately 5 to 6 months before the expiration date of radio broadcast licenses in a particular state, the Commission will mail a postcard notice to each station. The mailing address in the Consolidated Database System (CDBS) is used for the postcard. The Commission staff will not search other application or report filings for a more current address, and failure to receive a postcard will not relieve a licensee from complying fully with the renewal procedures. The postcard will give notice of the date by which the license renewal application (Form 303-S) and Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report (Form 396) must be filed.

Operating AM and FM Stations. Announcements must be made over the AM, FM, or FM low power station according to the following schedule. FM translators are exempt from announcement requirements. See 47 CFR Section 73.3580.

Sample Pre-Filing and Post Filing Announcements (PDF file) are available for a station's use. Stations primarily broadcasting in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.

Silent AM and FM stations must publish the text of the Post-Filing Announcement in a newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served on the same scheduled dates as indicated above for operating stations. A copy of the published announcement should be placed in the station's local public inspection file.

FM Translators must publish the text of the Post-Filing Announcement at least once immediately after the filing of the license renewal application. The notice should be published in a daily, weekly, or biweekly newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served. If there is no newspaper the licensee should post the required notice in a public place and keep a copy of the local public notice for reference.

Each commercial licensee must submit a filing fee and Form 159 with its license renewal application. See the Application Processing Fees page for additional information concerning fees.

Licensees MUST use the CDBS Electronic Filing system to prepare and file the Form 303-S application for license renewal. The CDBS Electronic Filing system can be accessed through http://www.fcc.gov/mb/elecfile.html. A help file for the electronic filing system is available at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/cdbs-efile-help.html.

A copy of the license renewal application must be placed in the station's local public inspection file.

The new EEO rules require that all license renewal applicants submit FCC Form 396 (Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report) in advance of or with the license renewal application. FCC Form 396 and the form's instructions may be downloaded from the FCC's Forms page.

All licensees must electronically file the Broadcast Equal Opportunity Program Report (FCC Form 396) and the license renewal form (Form 303-S). Licensees must complete FCC Form 396 PRIOR to completing Form 303-S. Form 303-S asks for the application file number of the Form 396 application; without this number, the CDBS electronic filing system will not accept a Form 303-S license renewal application.

A petition to deny or an informal objection to a radio license renewal application may be filed AFTER the filing of the license renewal application. Notices of the filing of license renewal applications will be posted in the public notices listed at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/cur_Broadcast_Applications.html. CDBS on the FCC's website will also contain records pertaining to the license renewal application.

Petitions to deny are considered to be timely filed with the Commission only upon their receipt by the Commission at either of the addresses listed above, NOT when they are mailed or postmarked.

The last day for filing petitions to deny is ONE MONTH PRIOR to the license expiration date:

• Example. The expiration date for a station in Alabama is April 1, 2004. The LAST DAY that a petition to deny may be timely filed is March 1, 2004.

• Exception. If the LAST DAY falls on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or on a date that the Commission is closed for business, the LAST DAY is extended to the first full business day thereafter. For example, the expiration date for a station in Virginia is October 1, 2003. September 1, 2003 is a holiday. In this instance, the LAST DAY that a petition to deny may be filed is September 2, 2003.

• Exception. The deadline for filing petitions to deny against late-filed license renewal applications is the 90th day after the FCC gives public notice that it has accepted that application for filing. If the 90th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or on a date that the Commission is closed for business, the LAST DAY is extended to the first full business day thereafter.

Petition to Deny Requirements. First, to file a petition to deny, a person must be a "party in interest" and have "standing". That means, generally, that the person must have more than a passing interest in the station. He or she must be a regular listener or have some other contact with the station that gives the petitioner a real stake in the outcome of the renewal process. A petition must be supported by an affidavit of a person or persons with personal knowledge of the allegations of fact contained in the petition. Additionally, a petition to deny a license renewal must "timely" filed at least one month prior to the license expiration date, as explained in the previous paragraph. Finally, the petition must contain a certification that a copy of the petition was mailed to the station. Failure to include the certification that a copy was mailed to the station and the affidavit of personal knowledge will result in dismissal of the petition to deny.

Procedure for Filing Informal Objections. A person or entity opposing the grant of a station's license renewal application may file an informal objection. against the license renewal application at any time prior to staff action on the license renewal application. An informal objection is less formal than a petition to deny, but some requirements still apply. It may take the form of a letter signed by the objector and mailed or delivered to one of the FCC addresses above. An informal objection need not contain the affidavit required for a petition to deny. It should, however, contain sufficient information to establish any violation alleged. Additionally, an informal objection not received by the time the station's license renewal is granted will not be considered.

Filing Positive Comments. Affirmative comments concerning a licensee's service during the prior license term should be filed by the petition to deny deadline through the Office of the Secretary at the addresses listed above.

Additional Suggestions for Filers To help the staff expeditiously associate a petition to deny, informal objection, or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should identify (1) the station's call sign, (2) the station's facility ID number, and (3) the license renewal application file number. This information, which is available on CDBS through the Commission's website, should be listed on the first page of the submission. If a cover sheet is used, it should be attached to each copy of the pleading.

Questions may be directed to radioren@fcc.gov. Please provide sufficient information so that your inquiry can be promply answered.