At the Commission’s direction, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) maintains a centralized database, the Text-to-911 Registry, to facilitate requests by public safety answering points (PSAPs) to receive 911 communications via text messages, including messages in real-time text (RTT) format.  This website provides information on the Commission’s text-to-911 and RTT rules and the Text-to-911 Registry, as well as instructions for 911 authorities and PSAPs that wish to enter information in the Text-to-911 Registry.

Text-to-911 service.  In 2014, the Commission adopted rules requiring Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers and providers of interconnected text messaging services (collectively, “covered text providers”) to be capable of supporting text-to-911 service.  Under these rules, covered text providers must begin routing 911 text messages to requesting PSAPs by June 30, 2015 or within six months of a valid PSAP request, whichever is later.  The Commission’s text-to-911 rules are found at 47 CFR § 9.10(q).

RTT-to-911 service.  Section 9.10(c) of the Commission’s rules requires CMRS providers offering voice service to be “capable of transmitting 911 calls from individuals with speech or hearing disabilities through means other than mobile radio handsets, e.g., through the use of [text telephone (TTY) devices].”  In 2016, the Commission amended its rules to facilitate a transition from TTY technology to RTT as a reliable and interoperable universal text solution over wireless Internet Protocol (IP) enabled networks for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have a speech disability.  As part of this transition from TTY to RTT, the Commission amended Section 9.10(c) to provide that subject to certain exceptions, CMRS providers are not required to support 911 access via TTY if they provide 911 access via RTT communications in accordance with Part 67 of the rules (47 CFR § 67.1 et seq.).  As with text-to-911 service, CMRS providers must begin delivering 911 communications via RTT within six months of a valid PSAP request.

Valid PSAP request for text-to-911 or RTT-to-911 service. To constitute a valid request for text-to-911 or RTT-to-911 service:

  • The PSAP must certify it is technically ready to receive 911 messages in the format requested;
  • The appropriate local or state 911 service governing authority must have authorized the PSAP to accept and, by extension, the CMRS or covered text provider to provide, text-to-911 service in the format requested; and
  • The PSAP must notify the CMRS or covered text provider that it is technically ready to receive 911 text communications in the format requested.

Text-to-911 Registry.  Registration in the Text-to-911 Registry serves as the required notice to covered text providers and/or CMRS providers and triggers the obligation for these service providers to begin delivering 911 communications in the requested format within six months.  The Text-to-911 Registry lists each PSAP by FCC ID number and name, county of operation, primary point of contact for coordinating text-to-911 service, method by which the PSAP will accept texts, and state or local governing entity authorizing the PSAP to accept texts. PSAPs are not required to use the Text-to-911 Registry; they may also request text-to-911 or RTT-to-911 service by providing written notification by any means reasonably acceptable to the text or CMRS provider.

The Text-to-911 Registry can be found here: Text-to-911 Registry (xls)

Last updated: February 29, 2024

* All clarifications/corrections are highlighted in yellow within the registry

Contact the Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau for additional information at t911psapregistry@fcc.gov.

Instructions for Entering Information in the Text-to-911 Registry.  The Bureau has prepared a PSAP Readiness and Certification Form (Form) that allows 911 authorities and PSAPs to enter information in the Text-to-911 Registry on each PSAP that is requesting text-to-911 or RTT-to-911 service.  The Form provides entries to indicate that the PSAP is ready to accept text and/or RTT communications and to provide point-of-contact and other information necessary for coordination with service providers. The Form enables the entry of multiple PSAPs.

PSAPs and 911 authorities wishing to use the Form should:

  • Download the Form: PSAP Text-to-911 Readiness & Certification Form [Word]
  • Fill out the Form. The Form requests the following information:
    • Date of submission;
    • Name and contact information of person submitting the form;
    • PSAP facility information, including FCC issued PSAP ID number, name of facility, physical address, and county of operation;
    • PSAP point of contact information for text-to-911 coordination;
    • PSAP method for receiving texts (e.g., text to TTY, Web Browser, Direct IP, RTT, or other method);
    • Identification of the state or local 911 service governing authority that has authorized the PSAP to accept text-to-911 service in the requested format;
    • Certification that the PSAP is technically ready to receive texts.
  • Email the completed Form to: t911psapregistry@fcc.gov.

Contact the Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau for additional information at t911psapregistry@fcc.gov.

Resources

2024 RTT and Text-to-911 Report and Order: www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-rules-improve-wireless-911-call-routing

2014 Text-to-911 Order: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-text-911-rules

2016 RTT Order: https://www.fcc.gov/document/adoption-real-time-text-rtt-rules

2021 Public Notice: https://www.fcc.gov/document/pshsb-announces-updated-text-911-certifica…

Consumer Guide: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911

Real-time text page at: www.fcc.gov/rtt

 

 

Updated:
Thursday, February 29, 2024