The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification is a crucial requirement for PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) products intended for the US market. It ensures that the products comply with the electromagnetic compatibility and safety regulations set by the US government. The FCC certification process for PCBA involves several distinct steps.

　　Initial Product Testing

　　The first step is for the responsible party, which could be the manufacturer or importer, to conduct comprehensive tests on the PCBA. This includes evaluating the product's electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS). The testing should be carried out in a qualified testing agency recognized by the FCC. The agency will use specialized equipment to measure the emissions from the PCBA and its ability to withstand external electromagnetic fields without malfunctioning. For example, they may test for radio frequency emissions, which could interfere with other wireless devices if not properly controlled.

　　Declaration of Conformity

　　Once the testing is completed and the product meets the FCC standards, the responsible party needs to declare its conformity. This involves affixing the appropriate FCC - compliant label on the PCBA. Additionally, a statement of compliance with FCC standards should be included in the product's user manual. The responsible party must also retain the detailed test report, as the FCC may request it for verification purposes at any time. This report should clearly document all the tests performed, the results obtained, and how the product meets the FCC's technical requirements.

　　FRN and Grantee Code Application

　　To apply for an FCC ID, the applicant first needs to obtain an FRN (FCC Registration Number). The FRN is used for identification and to fill out other necessary forms. If it's the first time applying for an FCC ID, the applicant must also apply for a permanent grantee code. While waiting for the FCC to approve and assign the grantee code, the applicant can continue with other preparations. This is a good time to ensure that all the required documentation is in order and that the product is ready for final submission.

　　Submission of Forms and Processing

　　After receiving the grantee code and having a complete test report, the applicant uses this information along with other required materials to fill out FCC Form 731 and Form 159 online. Form 731 is related to the equipment authorization application, while Form 159 is for payment. Once the FCC receives the remittances for these forms, it will start processing the application for certification. The average processing time for an FCC ID application is around 60 days. At the end of the acceptance process, the FCC will issue the original FCC ID, which is a unique identifier for the PCBA product, signifying that it has passed the FCC's certification requirements.