Beginning in the 1980's, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) delegated the responsibility for administering Amateur Radio license tests to 14 organizations known as Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs). These organizations operate independently from each other, and are responsible for arranging volunteers to administer exams, maintaining records of exams given, and submitting applications for new licenses or upgrades electronically to the FCC.
While there are 14 organizations, the 4 largest VECs administer more than 80% of all amateur radio exams in the USA. They are:
The exam administration is performed by Volunteer Examiners (VEs). These people are accredited by one or more of the VEC organizations, and volunteer to monitor and enable exam sessions.
Yes! You can take your US amateur radio license exam either online via videoconferencing software or in-person locally. In-person testing is often offered at hamfests as well.
Regardless of whether you are testing remotely or in-person, you should expect to present your ID and likely pay an exam fee to your VE team. Your VE team will consist of at least three, but most likely four or more volunteers. You will be given a multiple choice exam with 35-questions [technician (element 2) or general (element 3)] or 50-questions for amateur extra (element 4). This exam could be printed on paper or electonically on a tablet or computer depending on whether you are testing in-person or remotely.
When you pass your exam, 26/35 for technician and general or 37/50 for extra, you will be given a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) signed by you and three of your VEs. This is your proof that you passed your exam today. If you decide to take the next element exam before your application for your new license grant or upgrade has been processed by the FCC, you will present the CSCE to the next VE team. If you are already licensed, you use /KT, /AG and /AE along with your CSCE as proof to utilize your new privileges. If you are a new ham radio operator, you’ll need to wait until your call sign has been issued by the FCC. Up until that point, you may buy, program and listen to radios, but shouldn’t push the button until you have a license.
The HRCC VE Team administers exams remotely to the HRCC community. The exam session usually consists of one applicant and 3-4 VEs will take place over Zoom. The applicant provides VEs with a virtual tour of their room and surroundings. Once that is done, the applicant will screen share through Zoom allowing the VEs to monitor the exam process on the screen and the room in which the applicant is located. Applicants are welcome to take more than one element in an exam session. Retests are possible, but a second exam fee may be required. Most HRCC community members come prepare to pass the exam on their first attempt.
If you are testing remotely, you will need:
The HRCC VE team, made up of members from the HRCC Community, offers examinations for both new and upgraded licenses. Contact us thru Discord, join us for a scheduled remote exam session or send us an email.
There are several resources to help you find an in-person testing sessions near you.
New Hams: If you are a new ham, log in to CORES (https://apps.fcc.gov/cores) and pay your FCC processing fee of $35 once your application has been submitted by the VEC. Pay by computer and not with mobile device (i.e. cell phone or tablet).
You can confirm that your application has been submitted by searching the ULS Application Search (https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/searchAppl.jsp) by FRN. You have 10 calendar days to pay before your application is dismissed. After that, the VEC has to resubmit your application to the FCC. Keep an eye out for an email or two with instructions on how to do this. More info can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/payment-process-uls-individual-filers.
Upgrades to an Existing License: Applications will likely get processed the same day as submitted. Only new hams are required to pay the $35.
New Hams: The FCC follows a daily batch processing schedule. If you pay your application fee prior to 6pm Eastern (3pm Pacific) on standard FCC business days, your license will be issued during the FCC routine maintenance window that evening. Any payments received after the 6pm cutoff will be processed the following business day.
Upgrades to an Existing License (with or without a new systematic callsign): Your upgrade will appear immediately after the VEC office electronically uploads your application to the FCC. This will be between one hour and ten days after your session depending on the testing team and location.