How Much Does FCC Certification Cost?

FCC Certification Price by Route

Every device sold in the U.S. follows one of two paths. Devices without a transmitter usually use the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), which requires testing but no grant. Transmitters need certification, which adds a review and grant from a Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB). We are both an FCC test lab and TCB.

• Verification or SDoC (no transmitter): $1,900 to $5,000
• Certification using a pre-certified radio module: $4,900 to $10,000
• Certification of unlicensed transmitters, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices: $7,900 to $12,000
• Certification of licensed radios without pre-certified modules: $9,900 to $15,000
• TCB grant fees and if testing is needed for any additional countries you plan to sell in are additions to your quote.

These figures are starting points. Your final FCC certification price reflects your exact custom test plan, which is why the honest answer to “how much does FCC certification cost?” always begins with a review of your device.

What Drives the Cost of FCC Certification?

Most of the cost of FCC certification is related to lab time, so anything that adds time or testing adds cost. The biggest drivers are:

• Number of radios: Each transmitter is tested on its own, and a product that combines Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular radios also needs checks of how those radios operate together.
• Pre-certified modules: Building around an FCC-certified module can reduce the radio testing / costs your product needs, although the finished product still needs unintentional emissions testing.
• Licensed bands: Land mobile, cellular, maritime, and other licensed radios fall under additional rule parts, such as Part 90 or Part 22, each with its own RF testing requirements.
• Re-tests: If a device fails, design changes and a second round of testing add cost and time. Pre-compliance scans during development lower that risk. This is early testing to check your device while in design to ensure its conformance to FCC requirements.
• Adding other International Countries: Canada (ISED), the EU (CE), and other markets add testing requirements; testing for them alongside FCC testing costs less than booking separate sessions. We are able to get most products into most countries.

Your FCC testing cost also depends on proper documentation which is required to certify or approve a device with the FCC and other countries. A complete technical file, including test reports, user manuals, and label information, is key information needed to keep the filing moving without extra engineering hours.

How Long FCC Certification Takes

Planning ahead is critical, especially when a launch date is fixed. Preliminary quotes usually return within 2-3 business days. Testing typically runs from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on complexity and the testing that is required, and the TCB grant can follow in as little as 2 to 3 business days after complete documentation is provided and test reports are approved.

The most common delays are failed tests and missing or incorrect documents. Planning ahead for both is the simplest way to protect your schedule and your budget.

What to Send for an Accurate Quote

A precise quote starts with precise information. When you request a quote, include:

• A short description of the device and where it will be used, such as homes or commercial settings and what the device is used for and by whom (Class B or Class A)
• Every radio technology and frequency band, plus the FCC ID of any pre-certified module
• The power source: AC mains, battery, or both
• Datasheets, a block diagram, or schematics, BOM, if available
• All target markets beyond the U.S., such as Canada, the EU, or Australia/New Zealand
• The number of models or variants, and your target launch date goal

With these details, our engineers can identify the applicable rule parts, avoid quoting tests you do not need, and flag risks before your device reaches the lab. If you are not sure which standards apply to your product, let us know; we’ll help you to identify proper test standards. If you are new to compliance testing, just let us know, we are glad to walk you through the process beginning to end and are very good with people that have not been through the process before.

Why Manufacturers Request Quotes from Compliance Testing

Compliance Testing is an ANAB-accredited FCC testing lab (ISO/IEC 17025) that has helped manufacturers through FCC approval since 1963. Because our lab and TCB work under one roof, your project moves from test report to grant without a handoff to an outside certification body.

If you also need emissions and immunity testing for other markets / countries you seek to sell to, our EMC testing services can be bundled into the same quote. For more answers about the process, visit our FCC certification FAQs.

Ready to find out how much FCC certification will cost for your device? Request a free quote, and our engineering team will build a test plan around your product, your markets, and your deadline.