The FCC maintains an extensive database of all license holders (for all radio services) and has a unique FRN assigned to each one. When you make a license renewal, or update application, you must supply them with your FRN to proceed. It is okay to post this because the FRN does not grant access to your personal information to anyone other than the FCC staff themselves.

QRZ posts the information on our site because it is much easier to use than the FCC website, which provides the same information.

What about my privacy?
The FCC makes all of this information public on their website at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. Anybody with a computer can look you up at any time. QRZ carries a copy of the same public information that is distributed on a daily basis by the FCC. Since this information is made public by the FCC, we don't violate anyone's privacy by including it on our site.

The following bulletin, from ARRL headquarters, helps to explain what the various numbers are used for:

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB046
ARLB046 FCC clarifies CORES amateur implementation

ZCZC AG46
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 46  ARLB046
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  October 24, 2001
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB046
ARLB046 FCC clarifies CORES amateur implementation

The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has clarified several
issues regarding Amateur Service implementation of the Commission
Registration System--or CORES. Starting December 3, everyone doing
business with the FCC--including amateur licensees--must obtain and
use a 10-digit FCC Registration Number (FRN) when filing.

Amateur licensees now registered in the Universal Licensing System
(ULS) already have been cross-registered in CORES and issued an FRN
by mail. The FCC said it planned another cross-registration by
November 28. Amateurs can check to see if they have an FRN via a ULS
license search. Many Internet call sign servers, including ARRL's,
also can provide this information.

Once CORES becomes mandatory, the FCC will ''auto-register'' all
amateurs who seek to register in ULS and will issue them an FRN.
Amateurs then should use their FRN in place of their Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN--typically an individual's Social
Security Number) when filing applications with the FCC. New or
upgrade license applicants not previously registered in ULS will be
registered automatically in both CORES and ULS when they provide a
TIN on a license application filed through a Volunteer Examiner
Coordinator.

Although both ULS and CORES will contain a licensee's FRN, updating
information in one system will not update the other. For amateurs,
CORES registration will replace ULS ''TIN/Call Sign'' registration,
but the ULS will remain the Amateur Service licensing database
within WTB, and only ULS will associate an individual with a
particular call sign and FRN. Once CORES/FRN becomes mandatory,
those registering in ULS will be redirected to CORES registration.

Going away December 3 will be the so-called Assigned Taxpayer
Identification Number, or ATIN, which the FCC has been issuing to
applicants ineligible to obtain a Social Security Number, such as
foreign applicants and club station licensees. An FCC Public Notice
this week said applicants that have been using ATINs ''must now
register in CORES.'' The FCC said it will accept ATINs only ''during a
short transitional period'' after December 3.

CORES will offer exemptions to amateur clubs and to foreign entities
not holding a TIN/SSN. Club station applicants also may use a
trustee's TIN/SSN or a tax-exempt club's IRS-assigned EIN.

The WTB says that starting December 3, ''all passwords will be
maintained in the CORES database.'' Amateurs also may use FCC Form
160 to register in CORES, and those doing so will be mailed a CORES
password for on-line access.

The FCC continues to work out the details of how amateurs, CORES and
ULS will coexist. Amateur Service testing with CORES is planned for
early November.
NNNN
/EX