How to apply for a radio licence

Find information on how to apply for a radio licence by submitting a new application or copying an existing licence using the Spectrum Management System.

On this page:

Before getting started

Register to use the SMS

If you have not done so already, register to use the SMS to manage your licences and applications. You must register and receive confirmation of approval of your registration before applying for a licence.

Types of radio licences

To help you determine which radio licence you require, see Types of services supported by radio licensing on the Radio licensing homepage.

Is your radio apparatus compliant?

To use radio apparatus in Canada, it must have been previously certified that it complies with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) technical standards.

Verify your radio apparatus is compliant by consulting our Radio Equipment List. If your situation is one where the standards do not apply, you must ensure your radio systems conform to the appropriate Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP).

Using an agent

If you have retained the services of a supplier to acquire your radio equipment and they offer to apply for a licence on your behalf, their Web Profile has to be linked to your licensing account to allow them to do so. Please ensure the completed ISED-ISDE3052 — Retention of an Agent form is submitted to ISED to complete the registration process.

Learn more at: Agents for radio authorizations

Public disclosure of licence information

If you are applying for a radio licence as a police force or an embassy of a foreign government (or on their behalf), there are special considerations you need to be aware of.

For more information, see: Public disclosure of licence information

Developmental licences

Are you looking to test new equipment, or develop or prove a business concept? If so, you could apply for a developmental radio licence.

When applying for a licence, indicate your request is for a developmental licence on the “General Information” page by selecting “Developmental” in the “Licence category” drop down option.

Special events and temporary radio licences

If you require a radio licence for a limited duration of time, you could apply for a temporary radio licence. Temporary radio licences may be used for short-term events such as festivals, heads of state visits, filmmaking, or even seasonal work activities.

The maximum duration of a temporary licence is 11 calendar months. It is not renewable or extendable. Applicable fees are calculated based on the duration of the radio licence.

For more information on how fees are calculated for temporary radio licences, see: Radio licence fees and RIC-42 — Guide for Calculating Radio Licence Fees

To request a licence for a special event, click the “Requested Term” drop down menu in the application form and select “Temporary.”

Note: If you intend to submit temporary applications yearly, frequencies authorized from one year to another may change according to spectrum usage.

Overview of the application process

The application process is similar for all types of radio licences. Differences come in the information required and the analysis needed during the application’s assessment, which is reflected in the associated service standards.

ISED’s radio licence application process at a glance

Description of figure

This figure presents an overview of ISED’s radio licence application process.

  1. ISED receives the application, which is assessed to see if it is complete and valid
    1. If so:
      1. The application is processed and authorized
      2. An invoice is sent to the licensee
      3. The licensee pays the invoice
      4. The licence is granted and now available to be viewed or printed on the SMS
    2. If not:
      1. The application is sent back to the applicant with instructions for correction
      2. The licensee/applicant resubmits the application to ISED for assessment
 

Steps to apply for a radio licence

Below are the steps to apply for a radio licence.

Use “Copy” if you want to use one of your existing licences as the template for a new one.

You can save your work at any point and continue at another time.

  1. Go to the Apply for a radio licence page.
  2. Under “Choose a radio licence type,” click the tab that represents the type of licence you want.
  3. Click the “Apply” or “Copy” button that corresponds to the type of licence you require.
  4. The Spectrum Management System (SMS) will prompt you to sign in and walk you through the process of inputting information for the new licence application.
    For a detailed description of application fields, refer to the Radio Licence - Data Entry Guide.
  5. Submit the request when you are finished entering information.

Note: Incomplete information will result in the application being returned to you and its assessment stopped until the missing information is provided.

After you apply

  1. An ISED official will be assigned to your request to conduct its assessment.
  2. Once your licence has been authorized, you will be notified of the fees to be paid for the new licence. An email with a link to the invoice will be sent to the address associated to the account.
  3. After you pay the invoice in full, your licence is granted.

You can view and print your licence in the SMS Secured licence search.

 Report a problem
Date modified: