What Is CB Radio and Does It Need an FCC License?

Citizens Band (CB) radio is one of the most recognizable radio services in the United States — familiar from trucking culture, the 1970s CB craze, and countless movies and TV shows. Today, CB operates under FCC Part 95 rules and has a specific licensing status that surprises many people who are new to radio regulation.

CB Radio Licensing Today

CB radio currently requires no FCC license. The FCC eliminated the CB license requirement in 1983 as part of a broader deregulation of CB radio (the service had grown so large that licensing was impractical to enforce). Today, anyone can legally purchase and operate a CB radio within the technical rules without any FCC authorization.

CB Frequencies and Power Limits

CB operates on 40 channels in the 27 MHz (11-meter) band:

• Channel 1: 26.965 MHz through Channel 40: 27.405 MHz
• Maximum power: 4 watts AM, 12 watts PEP SSB
• Antenna height restrictions apply
• Channel 9 is designated for emergency communications and motorist assistance
• Channel 19 is the traditional truckers' channel on highways

What CB Cannot Do

Despite requiring no license, CB operations are regulated by FCC Part 95 rules:

• No more than 4 watts output power on AM (linear amplifiers are illegal on CB)
• No one-way transmissions (broadcasting)
• No music, profane language, or intentional interference
• No interconnection to the telephone network
• Communication is limited to domestic use within a few miles

CB vs Amateur Radio

CB is a no-license, limited-capability service. Amateur radio requires a license but offers vastly more capability — hundreds of times more power (legally), access to dozens of frequency bands, the ability to communicate worldwide, and no restrictions on antenna design. Many CB operators eventually get their amateur radio license to expand beyond CB's limitations.