ISO/IEC 17065 & the FCC TCB Program
ISO/IEC 17065 is the international standard for bodies certifying products, processes, and services. It defines the requirements that a product certification body must meet to operate competently, consistently, and impartially. For Compatible Electronics, this accreditation is the formal foundation of our role as an FCC-authorized Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB).
In order to obtain market approval for devices with wireless technologies in the United States, manufacturers must receive FCC certification for each applicable product. Certification ensures that wireless and telecommunication devices meet the regulatory requirements of the FCC before they can be marketed or sold in the U.S.
To streamline this process for both domestic and international manufacturers, the FCC established the TCB program, giving accredited and designated certification bodies like Compatible Electronics TCB (CETCB) the authority to evaluate devices and issue FCC certifications. As a TCB, Compatible Electronics is accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065 and designated by NIST to certify equipment based on the defined scope of its accreditation.
Prior to the implementation of the TCB program in 2000, manufacturers had to submit their products directly to the FCC for certification, often resulting in wait times of several months. Today, Compatible Electronics can issue certifications typically within just a few days, and generally in less than two weeks.
ⓘ In addition to regulatory compliance testing, Compatible Electronics can provide end-to-end FCC certification services — allowing manufacturers to complete all necessary evaluations and approvals from a single trusted source. Visit our FCC Certification page for detailed information on how to begin the FCC approval process for your Radio Frequency or Telecommunication Terminal Device.
The NIST Designation & ANAB Accreditation Chain
After obtaining accreditation from one of the NIST-recognized domestic TCB accreditation bodies (such as ANAB), a candidate TCB submits to NIST for designation. NIST reviews the information provided for completeness and then designates the organization to the FCC as a TCB. Compatible Electronics has completed this full chain:
Step 1 — ANAB Accreditation
- Accreditation standard: ISO/IEC 17065
- Accreditation body: ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
- ANAB Accreditation ID: #0567
- Verifiable in the ANAB accreditation directory ↗
Step 2 — NIST Designation
- Designated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- NIST reviews the accreditation for completeness
- NIST then designates the organization to the FCC as a TCB
- Designation authorizes issuance of FCC equipment authorizations
Step 3 — FCC Appointment as TCB
- Appointed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Authorized under Title 47 CFR Part 2 to issue equipment authorizations
- Grants issued for FCC Part 15 and other applicable rule parts
- No FCC routing required — grants issued directly by CETCB
ⓘ CETCB consulting restriction: CETCB personnel cannot offer consulting and/or design services while at the same time providing TCB services. If clients want to obtain these services, Compatible Electronics, Inc. can submit your project to a third-party TCB.
