# FCC SDoC vs. Certification: Choosing the Right Authorization Path

The FCC offers three paths to market for electronic devices. Most hardware
teams don't know which applies to their product — and choosing wrong can
void the entire compliance position. This short explains the decision.


## Transcript

### The decision that matters

The FCC offers three paths to market for electronic devices. Most hardware teams do not know which one applies to their product. Choosing the wrong one does not just slow you down — it voids your compliance position entirely.

### The three FCC authorization paths

Certification covers intentional radiators — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, LoRa. You work with a Certification Body, get an FCC ID, and list it in the database. SDoC covers unintentional radiators like computers and power supplies — you test and self-declare.

### One question decides your path

The decision starts with one question: does your product intentionally transmit on any RF? If yes — even through a certified module — you need Certification. If no, SDoC is faster, cheaper, and stays in-house. Either way, your data must meet Part 15 limits.

Tags: FCC, SDoC, FCC certification, Part 15, authorization