July 31, 2023: Media Bureau Announces Filing Procedure and Requirements for November 1 – November 8, 2023, Low Power FM Filing Window; Limited Application Filing Freeze to Commence on September 1, 2023.   See the July 31, 2023 Public Notice.  

July 12, 2023: Media Bureau Announces Transition of Additional Filings to Licensing and Management [LMS] System   See the July 12, 2023 Public Notice.  New filing procedures are effective July 26, 2023.

June 22, 2022: Call Sign Requests Were Added to LMS for Broadcast Radio and Television.  See the June 8, 2022 Public Notice.  These new procedures replace filings through the Call Sign Reservation System. 

 

 

We understand that the FCC's application filing systems aren't always easy to understand and use. That's why we created this LMS Help Center page, to assist you with creating filings in the FCC's Media Bureau's Licensing Management System (LMS).   The LMS system covers broadcast radio and broadcast television filings.

LMS Public Searches...

Before You Start LMS Electronic Filing...

  • FRN Number.   Nearly all filings require an FRN (FCC Registration Number) number.  If the licensee, permittee, or applicant does not have one, it may create one through the FCC's CORES system.
     
    • How do I find my FRN?  For licensees that aren’t sure about how to determine which FRN to use to access LMS, simply start by searching for your callsign or Facility Identifier (Facility ID) here: http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_sear.htm.  When the Station Search Results are displayed, click on the “Click for Details” link next to the correct station.  Then, at the bottom of the Station Search Details page, click on the link for “View FRN History.”  Any FRN listed on the FRN History page may be used to initially log into LMS.  Please note that, once an FRN is associated with a facility ID in LMS, that FRN is the only one that may be used to access and submit filings in LMS.
     
    • When logging into LMS for the first time with an FRN that is associated with a facility ID that had multiple associated FRNs in CDBS, the licensee will be asked to “Select (the) FRN of Record.”  Doing so will permanently associate the login FRN with the selected facilities, making that FRN the only one that may be used to file applications for those facility ID(s) in LMS (please make note of that FRN).  Facility IDs with only one associated FRN will not be required to select the FRN of record.

 

  • Facility Callsign and Facility ID Number.    Each broadcast radio or television station has been assigned a station call sign and a facility ID number.   This won't apply to applications for new broadcast stations.
  • Get the Form or Schedule Instructions below.  These will help you assemble required information and application attachments in advance of filing the application.  And reduce errors, frustration, and confusion.
  • Filing Assignment and Transfer Applications.  Read How Do I File an Assignment or Transfer Application in LMS for the steps to follow to submit these applications, starting November 18, 2020.  This document also provides guidance for amending and consummating Assignment and Transfer applications previously submitted in CDBS.
  • Filing STAs, Silent Notifications, Tolling Requests, Digital Notifications and other “Common Filings.”   Read How Do I File Common Filings in LMS for the steps to follow for these types of filings.

 

Logging In to LMS...

Applications, Schedules, and Forms Available in LMS...

For Radio Broadcasting

Schedule or Form Instructions Description / Related Material Applies to
Schedule 301-AM Instructions for 301-AM AM Broadcast Radio Construction Permit Application AM Broadcast Service
Schedule 301-FM Instructions for 301-FM Commercial FM Broadcast Radio Construction Permit Application Commercial FM Broadcast Service (not LPFM)
Schedule 302-AM Instructions for 302-AM AM Broadcast Radio License Application AM Broadcast Service
Schedule 302-FM Instructions for 302-FM Commercial and Noncommercial Educational FM License Application Broadcast FM Service (not LPFM)
Schedule 318 Instructions for 318 Low Power FM (LPFM) Broadcast radio (LPFM)
Schedule 319 Instructions for 319 Low Power FM (LPFM) Broadcast Radio (LPFM)
Schedule 340 Instructions for 340 Noncommercial Educational FM Construction Permit Application  NCE Broadcast FM Service (not LPFM)
Schedule 349 Instructions for 349 FM Translator or Booster Construction Permit Application Broadcast FM Translators and Boosters
Schedule 350 Instructions for 350 FM Translator and Booster License Application Broadcast FM Translators and Boosters
Reduced Power Notification   File 10 days after reduced power operation starts. Broadcast Radio
FM Engineering STA   Technical Request for Special Temporary Authority (FM only) Broadcast Radio (FM services)
STA Extension Requests (AM and FM services)   Extend approved Technical or Silent STAs Broadcast Radio
Suspension of Operation Notification   File 10 days after suspension of operation (AM and FM services) Broadcast Radio
Silent Station STA   File 30 days after suspension of operations Broadcast Radio
Resumption of Operation Notification [silent stations only]   Resume authorized operations following silent notification or silent station STA. Broadcast Radio
Restoration of Licensed Operation Notification [STA]   Resume authorized operations following temporary or
reduced power operation or STA operation.
Broadcast Radio
Change of Primary Station Notification   Change the station being rebroadcast on an FM Translator Broadcast Radio (FM Translators only)
Digital Notification (AM, FM, and LPFM)   Begin / Cease digital operations Broadcast Radio (AM, FM, and LPFM)
Modulation Dependent Carrier Lever (MDCL) Notification (AM)   MDCL energy-saving operation for AM stations Broadcast Radio (AM only)
Withdraw Application   Request to Withdraw a Pending Application Broadcast Radio
Tolling Notification   Tolling of construction periods (where applicable) Broadcast Radio
Cancellation request   Licensee may request cancellation of construction permits,
auxiliary facilities, or station license.
Broadcast Radio
Administrative Update   Administrative Update Request Broadcast Radio
See also Common Radio and Television Broadcasting Filings below for additional filings.
 

For Television Broadcasting

Schedule, Form, Request, or Notice Instructions Description / Related Material Applies to
Schedule A Instructions for Schedule A Commercial and Noncommercial Television Construction Permit Application Television Broadcast Stations
Schedule B Instructions for Schedule B Commercial and Noncommercial Television License Application Television Broadcast Stations
Schedule C Instructions for Schedule C LPTV/TV Translator Construction Permit Application Low Power Television Broadcast Stations
Schedule D Instructions for Schedule D LPTV/TV Translator License Application Low Power Television Broadcast Stations
Schedule E Instructions for Schedule E Class A Television Construction Permit Application Class A Television Broadcast Stations
Schedule F Instructions for Schedule F Class A Television License Application Class A Television Broadcast Stations
Schedule G Screenshots of Electronic Filing
Interface for Schedule G
Annual Ancillary and Supplementary Services Video Services
Schedule H Screenshots of Electronics Filing
Interface for Schedule H
Childrens Television Reporting Broadcast Television and Class A Stations
Schedule 337 Instructions for Schedule 337 Application for Extension of Time to Construct a Digital Television Broadcast Station  Video Services
Schedule 345 Instructions for Schedule 345 LPTV Assignment and Transfer Application Low Power Television (LPTV)
Schedule 399 Instructions for Schedule 399 Broadcaster Relocation Fund Reimbursement Video and Audio Services
Cancellation Request Cancel a Facility of a Construction Permit Video Services
Reduced Power   Reduced Power Notification Video Services
Technical STA   Technical Request for Special Temporary Authority Video Services
Legal STA   Legal Request for Special Temporary Authority Video Services
Technical Experimental   Technical Experimental Request Video Services
Suspension of Operation   Suspension of Operation Video Services
Suspension of Operation + STA   Suspension of Operation and Silent Special Temporary Authority Request Video Services
Silent STA Request   Silent Special Temporary Authority Request Video Services
Resumption of Service   Resumption of Service Notice Video Services
Withdraw Application   Request to Withdraw a Pending Application Video Services
Administrative Update   Administrative Update Request Video Services
Channel Substitution   Channel Substitution Rulemaking Request Video Services
See also Common Radio and Television Filings immediately below for additional filings.
 

 

Common Radio and Television Broadcasting Filings

Schedule or Form Instructions Description / Related Material Applies to
Schedule 303-S Instructions for 303-S (Radio)
Instructions for 303-S (Television)
Renewal of Broadcast Station License (Radio) (File Schedule 396 First!)
Renewal of Broadcast Station License (Television) (File Schedule 396 First!)
Broadcast radio and television
Schedule 314 Instructions for 314 Assignment of Construction Permit or License application Broadcast radio and television
Schedule 315 Instructions for 315 Transfer of Construction Permit or License application Broadcast radio and television
Schedule 316 Instructions for 316 Pro Forma Assignment and Transfer of Construction Permit or License application  Broadcast radio and television
Schedule 323 Instructions for 323 Ownership Report for Commerical Broadcast Station Commercial Broadcast Radio and Television Stations
Schedule 323-E Instructions for 323 Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Station Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Radio and Television Stations
Schedule 396 Instructions for 396 EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Program Report Broadcast radio and television stations
Schedule 399 Instructions for 399 Broadcaster Relocation Fund Reimbursement Broadcast radio and television stations
 

 

These documents are needed to prepare LMS filings, but are not contained within LMS:

Radiofrequency (RF) Exposure Compliance Worksheets Schedule 303-S (License Renewal)
Radio construction permit applications
Broadcast radio and television stations
 
  • The following applications, schedules, and forms are available for electronic filing in the LMS system.



?

If you need assistance...

  • Radio Station License Renewals (Video).  This four minute video provides information that radio broadcasters need to know, and actions to take to ensure a smooth license renewal process.

  • Slides with screenshots, used for the April 29, 2019 Audio Division staff presentation at the FCBA Mass Media Committee Brown Bag Lunch, may help you get started.

  • LMS:  Filers who have questions regarding FRNs, basic filing requirements, or who need assistance logging into LMS or accessing Schedules 303-S and 396 should contact the Commission at (877) 480-3201 (Option 2), Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time, or send a request online using the contact form at Submit Help Request.

 


Information about AM and FM broadcast radio stations is available at the Audio Division on the FCC's website.  Information about TV stations is available at the Video Division.

 

 

FCC > Media Bureau > Audio Division and Video Division