PTCRB Certification Process

We understand going through the PTCRB certification process the first time around can be overwhelming. That is why we have provided you with the following guidelines to help you better understand what is involved. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your local CETECOM representative for further assistance.

1st step: Creating a PTCRB User Account

The PTCRB certification process begins with you creating a certification request in the PTCRB Database at www.ptcrb.com. To do this you must create a user account. Simply use the “New User Registration” tab and complete the registration process.

In case you did not know, the CTIA acts as the administrator of PTCRB certification. Therefore, the PTCRB certification database is administered by CTIA via the PTCRB web site.

After completing the registration process, your user account will be confirmed. You will need to send an email to certification@ctia.org notifying the CTIA certification database administrator that you need access to the database. They will send you an email with your login information.

2nd step: Creating a PTCRB Test Request

• Now that you have access to the database, you are ready to submit a test request via www.ptcrb.com. There are three types of certification requests:
  • Initial Certification Request
    The first request for a unique product model name/number.
  • Variant Certification Request
    (Not used for Module Integrations)
  • ECO Certification Request
    A request to certify a hardware and/or software update of a previously certified product. The product model name/number as well as the FCCID and/or Industry Canada Type Approval Number are the same as the previously submitted (parent) product.
• Please select the applicable request. You will be requested to provide the following information:
  • Model name/number
  • Supported technologies/frequencies
  • For integrations, select the module being integrated. Please note the HW and SW versions of the module
  • Current HW and SW product versions
  • Administrative and technical points of contact
  • Select a CETECOM laboratory of your choice
  • IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
  • FCC ID and/or Industry Canada Type Approval Number
  • Supported Features of your device

3rd step: Laboratory Acceptance of PTCRB Certification Request

After you have submitted the request, you will be provided with a request number. The CETECOM laboratory will be notified via email. A project manager will accept the request by logging in to the PTCRB certification database.

4th step: Laboratory Test and Administration

A project manager will contact you and gather all the necessary details, documents and test samples needed to begin testing.

CETECOM will then perform the required testing at its state-of-the-art facility. Upon successful completion of all tests, a test report will be generated and uploaded to the PTCRB certification database.

• You will be required to upload the following documents:
  • Declaration of Air Interface Compliance
  • Declaration of IMEI Security
  • PICS/PIXIT
  • User’s Manual 

5th step: CTIA Review

After you have uploaded all the documents, the CTIA will review the test report and notify you within 5 business days of the certification decision.

6th step: CTIA Certification Fees

It is time to celebrate. You have completed the PTCRB certification process! Of course there is a price to pay for certification.  The CTIA will send you an invoice regarding a Certification Administrator fee. The amount of the fee will depend on the type of certification request and other integrated technologies.

Now what do you think of the PTCRB certification process? Does it still seem overwhelming? If you still have questions or concerns regarding any and all aspects of PTCRB certification we at CETECOM are always available to assist you.