When the Federal Communications Commission was using the Centralized Database System (CDBS) for broadcasting (AM, FM and TV) records, each application was uniquely identified by a short integer between 1 and 7 digits. The FCC would migrate to the License Management System (LMS), first for TV, then FM and now for AM radio. Unlike CDBS, this system uses up to a 36 character hexidecimal string to uniquely identify applications. This makes human entry and some systems compatability more difficult when looking for a unique application version.
In 2019, after the FCC converted FM radio engineering to LMS, REC created the REC Application Identifier (recID). The REC ID creates a sequential 7 digit integer that directly resolves to the hexidecimal-based LMS facility identifier. The recID can be viewed on facility records in FCCdata.org and have been used in various REC tools. recIDs can be used in any legacy tools that were designed for CDBS where the use of a shorter application ID number is preferred to the LMS hexidecimal character string.
REC assigns recIDs to all new versions of broadcast applications filed in LMS. For applications that are processed through REC's eLMS system, the recID is assigned at that time. For non-eLMS qualified applications, the recID will be assigned when REC processes the LMS raw data file in the early morning. It should be noted that recIDs should not be used to demonstrate sequence of events. Therefore, chronologically, a lower recID may be assigned to an application version that was filed before an application with a lower recID.
In order to encourage the use of recIDs, REC has decided to standardize the concept and to make recID information available as open data. Developers are free to integrate recID into their broadcasting software and reports as an alternatrive to the LMS hexidecimal code for distinguishing versions of broadcast applications. REC provides this dataset free of charge and without royalty. We do ask that developers who use this data in their applications to please give REC attribution somewhere in their documentation. It is not a requirement, but we would appreciate it.
The recID data dump is a single file that will be updated 7 days per week and will be available at approximately 9 AM Eastern Time, Monday through Sunday.
10-16-24 Important message for RECid data users
During the REC System40 transition, eLMS and the other applications that generate RECids are currently engaged in "dual operation". This means that during the transition, these systems are operating independently on both the new System40 server as well as the current legacy server. As a result, different RECids will be generated by both systems for the same LMS application. The RECid that currently displays in FCCdata.org may not be the long term RECid assigned to a broadcast application. The RECids that are generated by System40 will be the authoritative long-term RECid. The data dump file on this page reflects the RECid for each application as recognized by System40. We expect the System40 transition to be completed by early November. Thank you for your understanding.
Data Download - REC Open Data
Data Dictionary
| column | data type | description |
| rec_application_id | int(11) | REC generated code to identify versions of broadcast applications filed in LMS. |
| lms_application_id | varchar(36) | The unique LMS application identifier (application.aapp_application_id) |
| cdbs_legacy_id | varchar(12) | Application ID once used for this record in CDBS. LMS originated applications will be blank. |
| facility_id | int(11) | FCC facility identifier as shown on the LMS application. |
| file_number | varchar(20) | FCC file number. |
| receipt_date | date | Receipt date of application as shown in LMS. |
| rec_assigned_date | datetime | When the recID was added to the database. Some of the first recIDs that were added as a part of projects do not have this date/time. |
recID numbering blocks
| Range | Use |
| 1~1,999,999 | CDBS applications as generated by the CDBS system (CDBS will be discontinued as of 7/26/2023). No new recIDs in this range will be added as of 7/26/2023. CDBS applications that will continue to be supported in LMS now have a 5-series recID representing their LMS application. A conversion table between the CDBS application ID and the 5-series recID can be retrieved through the recID raw data dump link above. |
| 2,000,000~2,999,999 | TV applications filed in LMS that flowed into CDBS. (These application IDs were assigned by the FCC) No new recIDs in this range will be added as of 7/26/2023. These recIDs have a corresponding 5-series recID represening their original LMS-filed application. |
| 3,000,000~3,999,999 | REC assigned application IDs for the Radio History Project. |
| 5,000,000~6,999,999 | LMS applications. REC assigns a sequential application ID and maps it to the LMS hexidecimal application ID. |
| 9,000,000~9,999,999 | IBFS (International Broadcast Stations and 325 Authorizations). REC assigned, based on 9 followed by the six digit, zero-filled, IBFS application key. |
