Visiting FCC Facilities

This page provides information to help guide visitors through the FCC’s facility security screening process for the FCC’s Headquarters and other facilities.

Security Protocols

Attendees at public events, such as the FCC's Monthly Open Meetings, do not need to make appointments in advance of arriving. We ask, however, that any visitors planning to attend an FCC Open Meeting or similar event in person arrive early to allow ample time for processing through the Commission’s security screening.

Media attending in-person FCC events can contact the FCC’s Office of Media Relations and/or, for Open Meetings, review that month’s Tentative Agenda notice for guidance.

Other than for public events, all visitors are required to have scheduled in advance an appointment with an FCC contact. The FCC contact shall be responsible for escorting the visitor throughout their time in the FCC facility. Visitors without appointments and a designated FCC point of contact will not be permitted to access Commission facilities.

We encourage all visitors to arrive early for scheduled appointments to allow ample time for security screening.

Security Screening at FCC Headquarters and Gettysburg Facilities

All visitors are required to go through the security screening process in the main lobby, including:

• Place personal items on x-ray machine.
• Walk through the metal detectors.
• Once screening is completed, proceed to guard desk and present a valid, Government-issued ID.
• FCC security guards from the Federal Protective Service will sign the visitor in, take photo, and issue a visitor badge which must be prominently displayed at all times above the waist.
• FCC security guards will contact the visitor's designated point of contact (POC) for confirmation of the visitor, and their arrival.
• FCC security guards will direct the visitor to stand or sit to the side in the lobby to await the FCC POC.
• The FCC POC will meet the visitor in the lobby and escort them throughout their time in the building.
• When exiting the FCC building, the visitor should return their badge at the guard desk.

Security Screening at Columbia

• All visitors should stop at the guard house at the entrance to the FCC facility in Columbia, Maryland.
• The visitor must present a valid, Government-issued ID to the security guard and inform the guard of their FCC POC, whom the guard will contact.
• Once cleared, the guard will direct the visitor to proceed into the facility.