FCC ETRS Form One Due by Friday, Oct. 3

posted on 9.30.2025

While there is no nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) this year, Texas broadcasters still must submit stations’ EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) Form One to the FCC by this Friday, Oct. 3.

While some components of the FCC’s website are not operational due to this week’s federal government shutdown, the ETRS section (https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-reporting-system) appears to be functioning at this time.

The required information contained in Form One includes identifying and background information such as EAS designation, EAS monitoring assignments, facility location, equipment type, contact information, and other relevant data.

TAB encourages stations to do so as quickly as possible if staff have not already done so. FCC filing pages have crashed in the past under the strain of accommodating a flurry of last-minute filers. 

Stations That Must File

All EAS Participants, including Low Power FM stations (LPFM), Class D non-commercial educational FM stations, program originating FM booster stations, and EAS Participants that are silent pursuant to a grant of Special Temporary Authority are required to register and file in ETRS. 

Exempt Station Types

Scott Flick, Lauren Lynch Flick and Elizabeth Craig, attorneys with TAB’s FCC legal counsel Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman recently wrote that there are certain types of stations that are exempt from the Form One filing requirement.  These include:

• TV translator stations
• FM translator or booster stations that only rebroadcast the programming of a local radio station
• Stations that operate as satellites or repeaters of a hub station (or of a common studio or control point if there is no hub station) which rebroadcast 100% of the programming of that hub station, common studio, or control point. The hub station, common studio, or control point will still need to file its own Form One, however.

FCC Website’s ETRS Page

Filers can access the FCC’s ETRS page at https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-reporting-system.  
Stations must use their registered FCC Username (Username) that is associated with the FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) for which they will file. Filers that have already created a Username for use with another FCC system may access the ETRS with that Username. 

Filers that do not remember the password that corresponds with their Username may reset it at https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/reset-passwd-identify.htm. Filers that have not previously created a Username may do so by visiting the User Registration System at https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/createAccount.htm.  

Filers can associate their Username with an FRN by logging in at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do and clicking on the appropriate option.  Additional information regarding creating and associating FRNs with a Username can be found on the CORES FAQs page at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/publicHome.do?faq=true&csfrToken=.

FCC Tips on Form One Filing

Broadcasters can pre-populate Form One by completing the FRN and Facility ID fields. EAS Participants that pre-populate Form One using a Facility ID number or a PSID number are urged to review their pre-populated data to ensure accuracy. 

Each EAS Participant should file a separate copy of Form One for each of its EAS decoders, EAS encoders, or units combining such decoder and encoder functions. For example, if an individual is filing for a station that uses two units combining decoder and encoder functions, that individual should file two copies of Form One. 

EAS Participants using an intermediary device/CAP-to-EAS converter in accordance with Section 11.56(b) should enter both the intermediary device and the EAS encoder/decoder in the EAS equipment section of the same Form One.

Filers can update previously filed forms in ETRS by clicking on the “My Filings” menu option and then picking on the record for that form. 

Where to Go for Help with ETRS

Stations that have questions or need help with the filing process are encouraged to contact FCC staff for assistance by emailing ETRS@fcc.gov. Filers may contact FCC Licensing Support for assistance with creating a Username or other CORES troubleshooting via the web at  https://www.fcc.gov/wtbhelp or by telephone at 1-877-480-3201.  The support hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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