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Broadcast Radio License Renewal Dates

Last Updated on January 15, 2025 by Content Director

Broadcast radio station license renewal dates are based on the station’s location and the expiration date of its previous license. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) typically renews licenses every eight years for non-commercial educational (NCE) stations and every eight years for commercial stations.

Here’s a general breakdown of the key factors affecting renewal dates:

1. Renewal Cycle for Non-Commercial Educational (NCE) Stations:

  • Every 8 years: Non-commercial educational stations, including public radio, renew their licenses every 8 years. The FCC has specific windows for filing, depending on the location of the station (state or region).
  • The renewal window for NCE radio stations typically begins four months before the expiration of the license and ends two months before the expiration.

2. Renewal Cycle for Commercial Stations:

  • Every 8 years: Commercial radio stations also follow an 8-year renewal cycle.
  • Commercial stations must file their renewal applications four months before their license expiration, with a filing window that extends until two months before the expiration date.

3. General Process & Filing Dates:

  • Renewal applications are typically due 4 months before the expiration date, but they can be submitted up to 9 months before the expiration.
  • License expiration dates can be determined by the station’s last renewal, which is based on the FCC’s public database (accessible at the FCC website).

To find the exact renewal date for a specific radio station, the easiest way is to check the FCC’s License Database or the FCC’s online system (CORES), where you can search by station call sign, location, or owner.

Example:

If a station’s license expires on December 1, 2025, the station must submit its renewal application between August 1, 2025 and October 1, 2025.

It’s important to check the exact dates, as the application window can shift depending on the specific circumstances of each station’s previous renewal or other regulatory requirements.