FCC Launches 'Commision Registration System' (CORES)

FCC LAUNCHES CORES

The FCC has begun implementing the Commission Registration System, to be known as CORES. While the action has few immediate implications for Amateur Radio licensees, CORES registration eventually will replace Universal Licensing System, or ULS, registration.

Described as an agency-wide registration system for anyone filing applications with or making payments to the FCC, CORES will assign a unique 10-digit FCC Registration Number, or FRN to all registrants. Once the system is fully deployed, all Commission systems that handle financial, authorization of service, and enforcement activities will use the FRN. The FCC says use of the FRN will allow it to more rapidly verify fee payment. Amateurs mailing payments to the FCC--for example, as part of a vanity call sign application--would include their FRN--once assigned--on the revised FCC Form 159.

The on-line filing system and further information on CORES is available by visiting the FCC Web site and clicking on the CORES registration link.

For the time being, using an FRN is voluntary, although the Commission says it will consider making it mandatory in the future for anyone doing business with the FCC. That's not expected to happen until sometime next year, however. The FCC says it will modify its licensing and filing systems--including ULS--over the next several months to accept and use the FRN.

The FCC's Steve Linn confirmed this week that while CORES registration will supplant ULS registration, the ULS itself will remain the licensing database system for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau licensees, including amateurs. For now, the ULS remains available to new registrants. Amateurs who registered in the ULS prior to June 22 automatically have been registered in CORES and will receive an FCC Registration Number in the mail. ULS registrants also may search for their FRN on-line at the FCC's CORES site. The FCC says ULS passwords will become CORES passwords in most cases. It's possible to register on CORES using a paper Form 160.

As with the ULS, those registering with CORES must supply a Taxpayer Identification Number, or TIN. For individuals, this is usually a Social Security Number. Club stations must obtain an Assigned Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) before registering on CORES or ULS.

Linn says anyone can register via CORES and obtain an FRN. "CORES/FRN is entity registration," he said. "You don't need a license to be registered." Linn says the FCC is making every attempt to minimize the impact of CORES/FRN on Amateur Radio licensees, and no action will be required on the part of amateur licensees already registered in ULS.

A copy of the FCC Public Notice on CORES/FRN is available as a PDF file on the ARRL web.

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