FCC Laboratory Accreditation & Standards

Question 1

What accreditation standard must FCC Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) and their test laboratories meet?

Accepted Answer

ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration laboratories

Answer

ISO 9001 for quality management systems

Answer

ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection bodies

Answer

ISO/IEC 17065 for certification bodies

Question 2

Which US accreditation body is most commonly used for FCC laboratory accreditation?

Accepted Answer

NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program) or A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation)

Answer

FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

Answer

FCC Office of Engineering and Technology directly

Answer

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Question 3

What does a laboratory's 'scope of accreditation' define?

Accepted Answer

The specific tests, measurement ranges, and standards for which the laboratory is accredited to perform

Answer

The geographic area in which the laboratory can accept devices for testing

Answer

The maximum power level of devices the laboratory can test

Answer

The number of devices the laboratory can test per month

Question 4

What is the role of a TCB (Telecommunication Certification Body) in the FCC authorization process?

Accepted Answer

To review and grant equipment authorizations on behalf of the FCC without submitting each application to the FCC directly

Answer

To perform all emissions testing for FCC applicants

Answer

To audit test laboratories for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025

Answer

To manage the FCC ID database and public grantee records

Question 5

What does an ISO/IEC 17025 internal audit require a laboratory to do?

Accepted Answer

Systematically examine its own management system and technical operations to verify conformance with the standard's requirements

Answer

Submit test results to an external auditor for independent verification

Answer

Calibrate all equipment and document the results

Answer

Conduct a proficiency test and compare results to other laboratories

Question 6

What is a 'proficiency testing' (PT) program and why is it important for FCC accredited laboratories?

Accepted Answer

An inter-laboratory comparison program that evaluates a lab's measurement performance against other labs by testing the same artifact

Answer

A program for training new technicians in FCC test methods

Answer

A government program that ranks laboratories by the number of certifications they issue

Answer

An internal exercise where technicians test the same device multiple times