Our team is proud to offer amateur radio license exams through our ARES volunteer examination team. Test sessions are available at the end of most of our meetings but we can also test you pretty much anytime. If you’d like to schedule a session, please email [email protected].
What You Will Need
New Applicants: If you are not a current FCC license holder, you must obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) before pre-registering for an exam session. The FRN is required for your FCC license application that results from your successful exam completion. See the instructions below for obtaining an FRN online from the FCC.
Upgrading Applicants: If you already have an FCC license, please bring a copy of your existing license with you to the exam session.
All Applicants Must Bring:
- FRN and/or current active call sign
- Current, valid, photo ID such as a driver’s license, military ID, or student ID
- Pencil or two
- Conventional calculator
- $10 cash
NOTE: The use of cell phones is prohibited during the exam!
FCC Fee: As of April 19, 2022, the FCC charges a $35 fee to license applicants. You will receive an email from the FCC following your successful exam, with a link to the FCC payment website. You must complete your payment within 10 days of the email notice in order to receive your new license and avoid the dismissal of your license application. Typically, your license will go into effect within 24 hours following payment, showing up on the FCC license database.
FRN Acquisition
An FCC Registration Number (FRN) is required to take an exam. The FRN is also necessary for your FCC license application which our team will submit. To get an FRN from the FCC:
- Go to the FCC Registration System (CORES) and register for an account.
- Complete the email registration verification when it arrives in your In-Box.
- Use your new account information to log in to the FCC CORES system again and complete an application for FRN.
- Record your FRN when it is issued via the website.
You may find helpful information topics on registering for a CORES account and submitting an FRN application at this FCC help page: FCC Registration Help