On July 15 2022 the FCC switched over to CORES  2.
As of March 29, 2023, all users must use the new CORES system for FCC transactions. This gives us an opportunity to bring our information up to date when we do a license Renewal or Upgrade.

Suppose you awant to renew your license ... which can be done only during the three-month  period before the license expires. In order to do this you will need to input the User Name (email), Password, and Security Question that you entered almost 10 years ago.  In all likelihood you have changed your email, and forgotten the Password you used way back then.

Your FRN stays the same forever. So, what this "Association" thing is all about is to bring the information related to your FRN up to date. Otherwise the only way for the FCC to be in touch with you is the old data tied to your FRN ... and this could be an inaccurate email address.