How to File FCC Form 498 & Get Your E-Rate SPIN (2026 Step-by-Step)

Don't want to deal with USAC yourself? We file it for you — Become an E-Rate Vendor →

What is a SPIN number?

Your SPIN (a.k.a. your "498 ID") is a unique number USAC assigns to your company as an E-Rate service provider. Schools reference it on their funding paperwork, and USAC uses it to pay you. One company, one SPIN. (Note: "SPIN number" also gets used for unrelated things like superannuation — in E-Rate it always means this.)

What is FCC Form 498?

FCC Form 498 is the form that tells USAC who you are and where to send the money — your legal entity info, contacts, and banking/remittance details. Filing it is what generates your SPIN.

Who needs to file it?

Any company that wants to be paid through E-Rate for eligible products/services to schools and libraries: ISPs, MSPs, network/hardware resellers, AV integrators, cabling and Wi-Fi installers, VoIP providers, and more. If you already sell to schools but aren't E-Rate registered, this is for you.

Already selling to schools?

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Before you start (what you'll need)

A UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) — register free on SAM.gov
A DUNS Number — free from Dun & Bradstreet (still required on the Form 498)
An FCC Registration Number (FCC RN) — get one at the FCC's CORES website
Your banking + tax info (routing number, bank account number, EIN/Tax ID) plus a bank verification document to upload
A Company Officer authorized to certify the form

Step-by-step — how to file FCC Form 498 (per USAC)

1
Register for a UEI on SAM.gov.
2
Get a DUNS Number from Dun & Bradstreet.
3
Get an FCC Registration Number at the FCC's CORES website.
4
Log in to USAC’s E-File system (forms.universalservice.org/portal) → "Create an Account" → "Service Provider – 498 ID" → "Register Your Company."
5
Complete the FCC Form 498 and add your banking + tax info (upload the verification document).
6
Your Company Officer certifies the form — USAC emails them and they have 14 days to certify.
7
USAC reviews and, on approval, assigns your 498 ID / SPIN and emails E-File login credentials.

(Timeline: plan on roughly two weeks once your UEI/DUNS/FCC RN are in place — the officer has 14 days to certify, then USAC reviews.)

Note: You can submit bids before your 498 is done, but USAC can't commit funding to you until the FCC Form 498 is complete.

After you get your SPIN — what's next

File your SPAC (Service Provider Annual Certification / Form 473) each year to stay active.
Watch for Form 470s — schools post these when they're shopping; you respond with a bid (there's a 28-day minimum bidding window). See our Form 470 guide.
Win the contract, deliver, then get paid via SPI (Form 474) or the school's BEAR (Form 472).

Common mistakes that delay your SPIN

Wrong/mismatched legal entity name vs. your FCC registration
Incomplete banking info
The wrong person certifying
Missing the annual SPAC (your SPIN goes inactive)

How SkyRate helps

We're E-Rate consultants — we file Form 498 and register vendors every day. We can get your SPIN for you ($2,500, done-for-you), and our software then helps you find bids, respond to Form 470s, track your funding, and invoice USAC — all in one place.

Become an E-Rate Vendor — get your SPIN

Check if you're eligible

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a SPIN?

Plan on ~2 weeks once your UEI/DUNS/FCC RN are ready — your Company Officer has 14 days to certify, then USAC reviews.

How much does it cost to register?

USAC doesn't charge a fee to file the Form 498; our done-for-you service is $2,500 (software is separate).

Do I need one SPIN per state?

One 498 ID/SPIN lets you participate. You may want more than one if your business units are split by state or service type.

Can you file it for me?

Yes — that's exactly what we do.

How to File FCC Form 498 and Get Your E-Rate SPIN (2026 Guide)