As we said in the last post, FCC Form 486 is the “receipt for service confirmation and CIPA and technology plan certification form;” it notifies USAC that your services have started or been delivered, and that you agree to follow program rules.

Today, we’ll talk about how to file the form online, and the certifications you agree to by completing the form.

File online

This form is now available in the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC). To prepare for your FCC Form 486 filing, log in and select “FCC Form 486” from the upper-right menu.

It may be helpful to gather this information from your FCC Form 471 in advance:

• FCC Form 471 application number
• FCC Form 471 Nickname
• Funding request number(s) (FRN)
• Service provider’s identification number (also known as SPIN)

File 120 days after…

The FCC Form 486 deadline is flexible so you can start services on a schedule that works for you. Only submit FCC Form 486 after:

1. You receive a positive funding commitment (on your FCDL – funding commitment decision letter), and
2. Your E-rate Program supported services have started.

Then, complete and certify FCC Form 486 by the latter of these two dates:

• 120 days after your Service Start Date, or
• 120 days after the date on the funding commitment decision letter (FCDL).
• You can determine your FCC Form 486 deadline by checking the deadlines tool. 

If you file late, USAC will adjust your “service start date,” which can reduce your funding amount (the later the filing, the greater the reduction).

You can file FCC Form 486 early (prior to July 1) in select circumstances:  

• If you have received a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL), which confirms your funding,
• Your services will start in July, and
• You can make all the certifications on the form.

Certification = agreeing to follow program rules

Please take care to read every certification statement on the form in full. By completing and signing the form, you are agreeing to follow all program rules as a condition for receiving the funding. If the program finds that you did not follow one of the rules you agreed to on this form, USAC may reclaim part or all of your funding.

By completing the certifications, you agree that:

• You completed a technology plan if one was required.
  • Technology plans are not required for FY2015 and later.
• All the services you’re listing here on FCC Form 486 will go to the school and library buildings you listed on FCC Form 471.
• You are authorized to file on behalf of this organization.
• The form is correct to the best of your knowledge.
• You understand that your organization’s discount level may change in future years.
• You are in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
• You will retain documentation for 10 years after the last date of service.
  • You may be audited and asked to provide these records in the future.

For a more detailed explanation of each certification, refer to the FCC Form 486 instructions starting at page 9.

After you file and certify the form, both you and your service provider will receive a notification from USAC in EPC.

Filing tip: When you submit the form, you still need to “certify” it — make sure you certify the form by the deadline!

Next in the blog, we’ll cover the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements and certifications in more detail.