FCC License Exam Information - Next exam session to be announced
The East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association holds FCC Amateur Radio license exam sessions three times per year. The next exam session will be announced on our website as soon as it is scheduled. Exams are held for all licenses classes -- Tech, General & Extra. If you are interested in taking an exam, scheduled sessions can be found at: http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session. Remember, the Amateur Extra exam changes July 1st and will cover new technologies. You may wish to take the exam before the new question pool takes effect, as it may be more difficult to pass.
Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is recommended. Please email W2RBJ (at) outlook.com if you are interested in taking a licensing exam so we can let you know when the next exam session will be held.
This a great opportunity to get your Amateur Radio License or upgrade your existing license. Your best chance of passing is by being prepared. Online training and testing is a valuable resource and can easily be found with a quick search of the web. Details of what you need to take your exam can be found below.
You MUST have an FCC Registration Number in advance to take the test. See item #4 below for details.
If you are interested in taking your Amateur Radio licensing exam, please email W2RBJ (at) Outlook.com and include what license exam you want to take (Technician, General or Extra). We need this information to ensure we have the correct number of exams and paperwork on hand.
The cost is $15 and can be paid by cash or check. New license applicants must also pay a $35 fee directly to the FCC once they pass their exam. Please read the information below to ensure you bring all necessary documents.
What to Bring to an ARRL License Exam Session:
1. One legal photo ID (identification). Acceptable types include:
a. State Driver’s License
b. Government issued Passport
c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
d. Student School Photo ID card
e. State Photo ID card
2. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. Social security card
d. Employer's wage statement or Minor's work permit
e. School ID card
f. School or Public Library card
g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 605.
3. Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the
above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise
two non-photo IDs are required.
Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the
room by an adult during the test.
4. FCC Registration Number (FRN): VECs are required by the FCC
to submit your FRN with your license application form.
New license applicants must create an FCC user account and
register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission
Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions.
Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license
transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your
SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the FCC's Registration
page and the FCC's Registration instructions page.
Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the
application form.
5. If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license.
Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the
following sources: the official license or reference license printed
from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website
or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates
of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from
previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by
the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The
candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team
but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC.
Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the
VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned.
Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on
our Obtain License Copy web page.
6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions.
7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed.
You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free
of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during
the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used.
In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices
and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT
be used.
8. Bring a check, a money order or cash for $15 to cover the exam session fee(s).
Check the ARRL VEC’s current exam fees. The FCC is now also charging new
licensees a $35 fee. This is payable directly to the FCC and a link will be sent
by email to those who successfully pass their exam. You must have a
valid email address in order for the FCC to process your license.
9. Be aware that some information about you will be made publicly available
on the FCC's website: FCC Licensee Privacy