National EAS Test November 17 at 2:20 Eastern Time

The FCC and FEMA announced that FEMA will conduct a National EAS test on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, starting at 2:20 EST.  Please make sure your EAS equipment is in proper working order.  The exact language of the test will be as follows:

“This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

If conditions on that date require the rescheduling of the test, it will be conducted on December 3, 2026

As you know, stations are required to complete a series of reports prior to, during, and after the EAS tests on the FCC’s ERTS system.

• Form 1 -Oct. 30, 2026: Deadline to submit their annual ETRS Form One for calendar year 2026.  

• Form 2 - Nov. 19, 2026: Deadline to file ETRS Form Two within 48 hours of the nationwide test. (Form Two filing is due by 2:20 pm ET on November 19, 2026, or, if the test is conducted on the alternative date, by 2:20 pm ET on December 5, 2026.

• Form 3 - January 4, 2027: Deadline to file ETRS Form Three to provide detailed post-test data within 45 days following the nationwide test, which will be on or before January 4, 2027, or, if the test is conducted on the alternative date, on or before January 18, 2027.12

  
  

ETRS Forms Two and Three will become available in ETRS on November 17, 2026, at the time of initiation of the 2026 nationwide test.

Stations are encouraged to read the FCC’s Public Notice carefully.  It provides an in-depth explanation of the test and the necessary links to the FCC’s ERTS reporting system.  You can access the Public Notice here.

A good discussion of the test can be found in Radio World here.