Both Class A and Class B AIS devices must be certified by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Coast Guard before being marketed or sold in the U.S.   FCC rules require that certification first be obtained from the Coast Guard.  The FCC Laboratory will coordinate review of applications for certification of AIS equipment with the United States Coast Guard to ensure that the equipment meets all applicable international standards and requirements. 

Coast Guard Certification Requirements

Certification requirements for Class A AIS are described in 47 CFR 80.275, 47 CFR 80.1101(c)12 and in the Coast Guard's Navigational and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 8-01, as amended by Change 01, Approval of Navigation Equipment for Ships.  NVIC 8-01 describes the certification process for AIS and other navigation equipment described under SOLAS V.  Note that applications should be submitted to Commandant (CG–521), the new routing code replacing G-MSE and G-PSE.  

Certification requirements for Class B AIS equipment are described in 47 CFR 80.231(c) as well as 47 CFR 1101(c)12.  

Application submissions may be made electronically on arrangement with CG-521.

FCC Certification Requirements

AIS manufacturers must meet the requirements of the FCC's regulations for equipment authorization, 47 CFR 2 Subpart J (beginning 2.901),  47 CFR 1101(c)12 and (for Class A) 47 CFR 80.275(c).  For Class B, manufacturers must also meet 47 CFR 80.231.

Current Status of AIS Certifications in the United States

• USCG Certifications (Select "Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS)" for Class A devices and "(AIS-B/CS)" for Class B devices)
• FCC Certifications (Select "AIS - Automatic Identification Systems" in the Equipment Class field of the search form)

Note that sales and operation of AIS base stations and aids to navigation stations in the U.S. are limited to agencies of the federal government.

AIS Carriage Requirements >>