Nationwide EAS Test Scheduled for November 17, 2026

On November 17, 2026, at 2:20 p.m. ET, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). If the test needs to be rescheduled, the backup date is December 3, 2026.

The test will be disseminated in English and Spanish as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message using the Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System (NPT) event code. The test message audio and text, which is designed to be identical to the greatest extent possible, is 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.”

All EAS Participants must take part in this test and submit mandatory filings in the EAS Test Reporting Service (ETRS). The ETRS filing system can be found here.

The EAS Participant filing deadlines are:

ETRS Form One Due: October 30, 2026 (identifying information and equipment data).

ETRS Form Two Due: November 19, 2026, by 2:20 p.m. ET (day-of test receipt data, filed within 48 hours of the nationwide test).

ETRS Form Three Due: January 4, 2027 (detailed post-test data, filed within 45 days of the nationwide test).

EAS participants are now required to take mandatory security measures with respect to their EAS equipment, studio transmitter links and any remotely operated EAS equipment. More information about these requirements can be found here.

For more information about the upcoming national EAS test, or the EAS rules in general, contact Paul Cicelski or Scott Pippin in our Media Practice Group.