Licensing Information

Licensing issues can be a somewhat confusing subject. We will very briefly clarify certain aspects of the licensing requirements set by the FCC, which hold in the USA. If you’re living in a different country, you should check with your domestic radio service regulator. The equivalent agency in the UK for example, is Ofcom. You can find some UK licensing information on Ofcom’s website. In the US, the license documents are usually included with the radio when you buy it. You don’t need a license to buy a two way radio, but you need a license to use it legally in.

FRS Two Way Radios

For usage of FRS two way radios, no special license is required. You can even use FRS/GMRS combo radios without a license, given that you constrain yourself to the FRS capabilities of the radio, i.e. you do not use GMRS-only channels and you do not use more than 0.5 watts of transmission power.

GMRS Two Way Radios

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of an adult individual and his or her immediate family members, including a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws. Normally, as a GMRS system licensee, you and your family members would communicate among yourselves over the general area of your residence or during recreational group outings, such as camping or hiking. GMRS licenses are only granted to individuals, not businesses.

In the USA, the FCC is the radio service regulator. Before any station transmits on any channel authorized in the GMRS from any point within or over the territorial limits of any area where the FCC regulates radio services, the responsible party must obtain a license. The FCC usually grants GMRS system licenses for a five-year term. The individual licensee is responsible for the proper operations of the licensed GMRS system at all times.

For more information on licensing procedures and available licenses in the USA, you can check with the FCC.