Dealers Must Be Certified For DTV Program by March 31

The deadline for the DTV transition may be over a year away, but the time dealers have to apply for certification to accept government coupons for DTV converter boxes is much shorter- less than three months, in fact.

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s rules for dealers who wish to take part, the period for application, which began last summer, is due to expire on March 31. In order to take part in the program, dealers must apply by that date, and also meet several other criteria. These include having the ability to process coupons electronically, having trained employees who know how to process the coupons, and having been in business for at least one year (unless granted a special waiver.)

For full rules on the converter box and coupon program, and to sign up to become a participating retailer, visit www.ntiadtv.gov