What is the FCC Rule 18?

Asked by: Jarvis Doyle  |  Last update: March 27, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (14 votes)

FCC Rule 18 (47 CFR Part 18) governs Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) equipment, setting standards for devices generating radio frequency (RF) energy for non-communication uses (like heating, welding, or medical treatment) to prevent harmful interference with authorized radio services, covering everything from microwave ovens and arc welders to MRI machines, and detailing compliance, authorization, and operating conditions.

What is the FCC Rule Part 18?

FCC Part 18 is the section of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations that provides the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the authority to regulate industrial, scientific, and medical equipment (ISM) that emits electromagnetic energy on frequencies within the radio frequency spectrum in order to prevent ...

What is the difference between FCC Part 15 and 18?

FCC Part 15 and FCC Part 18 are both focused on stopping electromagnetic interference from electronic devices. Part 15 applies to a wide range of consumer and commercial devices, while Part 18 is more relevant for industrial, scientific and medical equipment.

What are the new FCC laws 2025?

In 2025, the FCC implemented significant Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) changes, notably the "one-to-one consent" rule (effective Jan 2026 after delays) requiring specific consent for each seller, closing the lead generator loophole, and new rules making it easier for consumers to revoke consent for robocalls/texts (April 2025 effective date) by honoring keywords like "STOP" and any reasonable means within 10 days. The FCC also proposed rules to allow prison jamming of contraband phones and began reviewing broadcast ownership rules.
 

Do Bluetooth devices need FCC approval?

If the product intentionally radiates radio signals, it will require certification. Examples of devices falling into this category include Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, remote control transmitters and garage door openers.

Radio Rules the FCC Doesn't Really Care About & Why

17 related questions found

Can devices connect to my Bluetooth without permission?

Yes, someone can connect to your Bluetooth without you knowing, especially if your device is in "discoverable" mode, allowing hackers to perform attacks like bluesnarfing (stealing data) or bluejacking (sending spam), but modern devices require pairing, so turning off discoverability and not accepting unknown requests are key defenses. While simple unauthorized access is harder now, vulnerabilities (like BlueBorne) have existed, making it crucial to keep software updated and disable Bluetooth when not in use, say experts at Sunwest Bank. 

How far can you transmit FM legally?

Legally transmitting FM depends on your license and power: unlicensed Part 15 devices (like car transmitters) are limited to ~200 feet (61m) in the US, while licensed Low Power FM (LPFM) stations can reach ~3.5 miles (5.6 km) with up to 100 watts, and even higher power licensed stations can cover many miles, but all must avoid interfering with licensed broadcasters. 

What does the FCC not allow?

The FCC's implementing regulations prohibit the broadcast of obscene speech at any time—as obscenity, as defined by the Supreme Court, is not protected by the First Amendment—and prohibit broadcasts of indecent speech between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. FCC regulations do not address "profane" speech.

What is the FCC 1 to 1 rule?

In 2023, the FCC issued a rule requiring one-to-one consent for lead generators, i.e. if a consumer signed up to be contacted by phone or text the consent had to be for one specific seller and the contact had to be “logically and topically” related to the interaction leading to the consent.

Are texts between 9pm and 8am illegal?

Federal regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibit sending marketing texts between 9 PM and 8 AM local time, and several states have additional restrictions. Violating these rules can result in fines and damage to brand reputation.

How many watts can you transmit without a license?

Radios That Do NOT Require a License…

They transmit at 2 watts or less and only operate on pre-set frequencies between 151 -154 MHz in the VHF band. MURS radios have a general lack of privacy, a limited coverage area, and frequent channel interference.

Can I sell a device without an FCC ID?

47 CFR § 2.803 - With limited exceptions, no radiofrequency device can be marketed (sold, offered for sale, or advertised) in or to the U.S. unless it complies with the FCC's authorization and labeling rules.

What is an unsafe level of RF radiation?

Most standards require that exposures be kept at or below one-tenth of the observed threshold SAR (0.4 W/kg). The recommended limits for the general population are reduced by a safety factor of 5 to an SAR of 0.08 W/kg, to allow for a greater range of physiological reserve capacity.

What kinds of punishment can the FCC give violators of their rules?

§ 502. Under 47 U.S.C. § 502, any person who willfully and knowingly violates a regulation of the Federal Communications Commission is subject to a maximum fine of $500 for each day on which a violation occurs.

What is the Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations?

The Code of Federal Regulations Title 18 contains the codified Federal laws and regulations that are in effect as of the date of the publication pertaining to conservation of domestic power and water resources.

How to be exempt from FCC fees?

Under the Commission's community service exemption, a broadcast facility is exempt from regulatory fees if it meets all three of the following criteria: (1) it is not licensed to, and is not commonly owned in whole or in part, by the licensee of a commercial broadcast station; (2) it does not derive income from ...

What are three rules telemarketers have to follow?

Still, to comply with the TSR, sellers of pay-per-call services must not:

  • call any number on the National Do Not Call Registry or on that seller's Do Not Call list.
  • deny or interfere with a person's right to be placed on any Do Not Call Registry.
  • call outside permissible calling hours.

What is rule 15 of the FCC?

FCC Part 15 is a federal regulation that sets limitations on the amount of electromagnetic interference allowed from digital and electronic devices as well as many types of unlicensed radios including those found in products such as medical devices, smart home equipment, multimedia products, and any other product that ...

How do I remove my phone number from my political call list?

To get off political call lists, reply "STOP" to texts, block numbers, use your phone's "Filter Unknown Senders" (iPhone), and report illegal robocalls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). While the National Do Not Call Registry stops legitimate telemarketers, political groups are exempt, so you must ask them directly or use your phone/carrier features to stop calls from campaigns. 

What are the 7 words you can't say on the radio?

The words, in the order Carlin listed them, are: "shit", "piss", "fuck", "cunt", "cocksucker", "motherfucker", and "tits". These words were considered highly inappropriate and unsuitable for broadcast on the public airwaves in the United States, whether radio or television.

What types of violations to the FCC handle?

Technical Rule Violations

  • Antenna Structure Registration, Lighting and Marking Requirements.
  • Unlicensed Operations.
  • Wireless 911 and E911 Violations.
  • Emergency Alert System (EAS) Violations.
  • Cable Signal Leakage Enforcement.
  • Interference Complaints.

Can you say "moron" on the radio?

Trivia. Apparently, moron is not allowed to be said on radio. It can only be said on TV. However, "moron" is just a mild insult.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for radio?

The 3-3-3 rule for emergency radio is a simple, easy-to-remember guideline for survivalists and preppers: use Channel 3, transmit/listen for 3 minutes, every 3 hours (e.g., 12, 3, 6, 9) to conserve battery while establishing a reliable check-in schedule when normal communication fails. It's used on CB, FRS, GMRS, and MURS radios, often on designated Channel 3, to coordinate during emergencies.
 

What is the penalty for using a ham radio without a license?

Using a ham radio without a license in the US is illegal and can lead to significant penalties from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) like fines (potentially thousands of dollars), seizure of equipment, and even jail time, with enforcement often targeting interference or misuse, though simple conversations with friends are sometimes overlooked if they don't disrupt others. You can listen without a license, but transmitting requires a license to ensure proper use and prevent interference with critical communications. 

Why is 1420 MHz forbidden?

The signal's frequency of 1420 MHz is also part of a protected spectrum: a frequency range reserved for astronomical research in which terrestrial transmissions are forbidden, although a 2010 study documented several instances of terrestrial sources either interfering from adjacent frequency bands or illegally ...