PLB registration is free, takes 10 minutes, and is legally required for US users. Here's the complete process.
1
Locate the HEX ID on the PLB
Every 406MHz PLB has a unique 15-character HEX ID (hexadecimal identifier) printed on a label on the device body. This is the identifier COSPAS-SARSAT uses to look up registration information when the beacon activates. Find this number before going to the registration site.
2
Register at beaconregistration.noaa.gov
NOAA's beacon registration website is free and handles all US 406MHz PLB, EPIRB, and ELT registrations. Create an account using an email address that will remain accessible for renewal reminders.
3
Enter owner and emergency contact information
The most important fields: full name, address, primary phone number, and at least two emergency contacts with phone numbers. These are the people COSPAS-SARSAT and rescue coordination centers will contact if the beacon activates. Use contacts who know the typical trip itinerary and can provide useful information to rescue teams.
4
Provide trip/activity information
Optional fields for typical activities (hiking, backpacking, kayaking) and regions (Appalachian Trail corridor, Pacific Northwest, etc.) help rescue teams anticipate search areas if the exact activation location is delayed in processing.
5
Renew every 2 years
NOAA sends email renewal reminders. Keep contact information and emergency contacts current at renewal. Update the registration if moving to a new address or changing emergency contacts.
ACR ResQLink 400 PLB — register immediately after purchase8.0/10 • $320 • 5-year battery • No subscription
Full Review →ACR ResQLink View PLB — with GPS-lock indicator7.9/10 • $330 • Visual GPS confirmation
Full Review →Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 — lightest PLB7.7/10 • $249 • 7-year battery • Register same way
Full Review →Frequently Asked Questions
Is PLB registration required by law?
Yes — in the United States, 406MHz PLBs must be registered with NOAA under FCC regulations. An unregistered PLB transmits a valid distress signal (rescue services will respond), but without registration, there is no contact information to notify next of kin or provide rescue teams with itinerary information. Registration is free and takes about 10 minutes.
How long is PLB registration valid?
NOAA PLB registrations must be renewed every 2 years. NOAA sends renewal reminders via email to the address provided at registration. Keeping registration current ensures contact and itinerary information is accurate if the beacon activates.
What happens if an unregistered PLB activates?
Rescue services will respond to a distress signal regardless of registration status — the 406MHz signal is processed by COSPAS-SARSAT and forwarded to rescue coordination centers. Without registration, however, rescue teams have no contact information to notify next of kin, no itinerary to search for the beacon owner, and no medical information. Unregistered activations are harder for rescue services to process efficiently.
Can I register a PLB purchased in another country with NOAA?
US residents should register any PLB they will use in the US with NOAA regardless of where the device was purchased. Each PLB has a unique identifier (HEX ID) that is registered to the owner in the country of use.