FCC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FCC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under FCC rules, what is a 'Public Safety Answering Point' (PSAP)? → A call center that receives 911 calls and dispatches emergency responders
2. Broadcasts shall adhere to the 1985 Radio & Television News Directors Association code of ethics. → False
3. Which federal legislation established the modern Universal Service Fund (USF) framework? → Telecommunications Act of 1996
4. What should you do if your internet service provider is not delivering the speed or quality promised in your contract? → Contact the ISP to resolve the issue
5. Zoning laws affect FCC providers primarily by: → Determining whether operating a child care business in a residential area is permitted
6. What type of mechanism does the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) use to allocate funding to carriers? → Reverse auction
7. How does the FCC promote broadband access in underserved areas? → By offering subsidies to ISPs to expand coverage
8. Which designation must a carrier obtain before it can receive High Cost USF support? → Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)
9. To qualify for Lifeline benefits, a consumer's household income must be at or below what percentage of the federal poverty guidelines? → 135%
10. How frequently does the FCC update the USF contribution factor that carriers must apply to their revenues? → Quarterly
11. Items which may be deemed by the adviser to be a violation include slander, right to privacy, copyright, and? → Libel
12. What is the primary function of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) in US spectrum management? → To coordinate frequency assignments for federal government radio systems
13. What does the FCC's 'newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership' rule restrict? → Common ownership of a daily newspaper and a broadcast station in the same market
14. What is the primary purpose of the E-Rate program? → Provide discounts on telecommunications and internet services to schools and libraries
15. What should you do if you receive unwanted robocalls? → Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry
16. What is a 'guard band' in spectrum management? → An unused frequency buffer between two spectrum allocations to prevent interference
17. Which of the following is NOT one of the four core Universal Service Fund programs? → Broadband Expansion Initiative
18. What are your rights if your phone service is disrupted or the quality is not as promised? → You can file a complaint with the FCC
19. What is the primary purpose of the FCC's Table of Frequency Allocations? → To assign specific frequency bands to different radio services
20. What is the FCC's 'Resilient Networks' initiative focused on? → Improving communications network reliability and rapid restoration after disasters
21. What is the monthly Lifeline benefit amount for eligible consumers? → $9.25
22. An FCC provider must report a communicable disease outbreak among enrolled children to: → The local or state health department according to state reportable disease laws
23. The Connect America Fund (CAF) was primarily created to support the deployment of what type of service? → Broadband-capable networks in high-cost areas
24. What is the 'duplex gap' in cellular spectrum allocation? → The unused frequency space between uplink and downlink bands in FDD systems
25. What frequency band is designated for the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) use and commonly used by Wi-Fi? → 2.4 GHz
26. Which statement about FCC licensing inspections is accurate? → Inspectors may conduct both announced and unannounced visits to verify compliance
27. If you notice unauthorized charges on your phone bill (cramming), what can you do? → Dispute the charge with your phone service provider
28. Broadcasts shall contain no statements or images derisive of any race, religion, sex, or? → National origin
29. What consumer protections does the FCC provide for people with disabilities? → Ensuring that telecommunication services are accessible
30. Who is required to contribute to the Universal Service Fund? → Providers of interstate and international telecommunications services