Amateur radio testing and licensing IN THE U.S.
Amateur radio licenses in the United States are issued and renewed by the Federal Communications Commission. Currently, three classes of licensing exist.
- The entry-level license, (Technician Class) is awarded after an applicant successfully completes a 35-question multiple-choice written exam. The license grants full operating privileges on all amateur bands above 30 MHz and limited privileges in portions of the high frequency (HF) bands.
- The middle level, (General Class) requires passage of the Technician exam, as well as a 35-question multiple-choice General exam. General class licensees are granted privileges on portions of all amateur bands and have access to a substantial portion of all amateur HF bandwidth. However, some band segments often used for long distance contacts are not included.
- The top US license class is the Amateur Extra Class. This license requires the same exams as General plus a 50-question multiple-choice theory exam. Those with Amateur Extra licenses are granted all privileges on all US amateur bands.
Testing - Available Through The Club!
Amateur radio license testing in the U.S. is done by groups of credentialed volunteers (Volunteer Examiners or "VE's") working under the supervision of a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator. Our club has credentialed VE's who administer exams for all classes of U.S. amateur radio licenses. VE groups which administer exams are allowed to recoup their expenses by charging a fee in addition to the FCC's fee mentioned below. Licenses currently remain valid for ten years from the date of issuance or renewal. Our VE's currently charge a $15 flat fee to cover the club's testing expenses as mentioned above. Additionally, In 2022 the FCC began charging a $35 administrative fee for licensing. The testing done by our club is available to both non-members and to members.
To schedule your examination, contact
Adam McGhee
(334) 663-1209
or
Mike Brown
(404) 456-8817
IMPORTANT: Prior to testing, remember to register through the Commission Registration System (CORES) to obtain an FRN number from the FCC which your examiner will require. And also, complete and bring the items listed in the "What to Bring With You on Exam Day" list linked below.
Other Testing and Licensing Resources:
ARRL Licensing, Education & Training Page
