New E-rate PIN Procedures

In order to reduce the filing of applications and certifications filed on paper, the SLD mailed new E-rate PIN numbers to almost all applicants in November 2005.

Who received a new PIN?

-- Anyone who certified (signed) an FCC Form 470, 471 or 486 for Funding Year 2005 (Year 8) or a Form 470 for Funding Year 2006 (Year 9)

AND

-- Anyone who previously had an E-rate PIN.

Was the PIN be mailed to the contact person listed on the form or the actual person who signed the form?

The PIN was mailed to the attention of the person who actually signed the form.  So if the superintendent signs the forms, but another individual is responsible for the E-rate applications, you should alert the superintendent's office to be watching for the PIN to arrive so that it can be retained for future use.  How the PIN is handled within your organization (who stores it, who applies it, etc.) is your organization's decision, but be aware that legally, the PIN is exactly the same as a signature certifying to whatever is signed. 

What happened to my old PIN?

Some of you currently had a 4-digit PIN. The NEW 6-8 digit PIN will replace that PIN. All current 4-digit PINs were deactivated at 11:59 P.M. EST on December 4, 2005. The NEW PIN became active at 12:01 A.M. EST on December 5, 2005.

Is there anything I have to do in order to activate my new PIN?

There is nothing for you to do to activate it. The first time you use your new PIN; however, you must accept the SLD's terms and conditions before you can certify program forms.

If I currently do not have a PIN but then sign the next E-rate form, will the SLD mail me a PIN?

Yes.  If you do not have a PIN, but then paper-certify a Form 470, 471 or 486, it is anticipated that you will receive a PIN in the mail within 3-4 weeks of mailing in a hand-signed paper certification for any of the three forms.

Can I receive a PIN if I do not sign forms?

No.  Only the authorized signer of the form will receive the PIN.

Can the PIN still be used if the person who received the PIN no longer works for our entity?

No.  The PIN is assigned to an individual, while that individual is representing that billed entity.  If the technology director has a PIN and moved to another entity, that PIN would become invalid.  In order for that individual to receive a new PIN at the new entity, he/she would have to actually sign a paper-certification, and then the SLD would issue a new PIN.

If I sign applications on behalf of several entities, may I use my PIN for all of my signatures?

No.  The SLD will assign each person with a separate PIN for each billed entity with which he or she is associated.  You must then use the different PIN when you sign forms for different entities.  (This question mostly pertains to library representatives that are authorized to sign forms on behalf of several library applicants).

Can I use the PIN to certify all of the E-rate forms?

Yes and No.  Yes it can (and should) be used to certify the forms that are currently available to be submitted electronically (Form 470, 471, 486 and 472).  It cannot be used to certify the Form 500; this form must be filed on paper.

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