Exam Information Main Page
This webpage consists of various information I have compiled concerning amateur radio licencing exams. It is not affiliated with any specific club, but some area clubs may be linked. I am accredited with the ARRL VEC so this information may be specific to them, but should be close to that of other VECs as well.
- - Government Shutdown - -
During the government shutdown, the VEC has directed us to continue holding exam sessions and submitting results. When the government resumes operation, the VEC will submit the results to the FCC for processing. The FCC is not processing new FRN requests. The ARRL is allowing candidates without FRN to test and the candidate will receive a CSCE if they pass, but the VEC will hold the application until the candidate is able to provide an FRN. If you test with us and pass, you can send me the FRN and I will send to the ARRL.
If you are seeking information for testing in the South Puget Sound area, several clubs offer testing. If you are interested in setting up a special exam session, or need an ARRL examiner for an exam session, What to expect after completing exam session To see if your application is in the system If this is your first amateur radio licence, click 'By File Number' and select 'By FRN', then enter your FRN in the field and click 'Search'. Once your FRN has an entry for Amateur Radio (either "HA" or "HV", you have ten days to pay the application fee. If the payment has not been paid within ten days of the application being entered into the database, the application is cancelled and the VEC must resubmit the application. You need not wait for the email from the FCC to pay the application fee. FCC Application Fee
Chehalis Valley Amateur Radio Society (CVARS) https://www.cvars.org/be_a_ham_t.php/
- Third Saturday of even numbered months, 2PM, Walk-in (No reservation required) Dedicated venue, pretty quiet. -
Mason County Amateur Radio Club (MCARC) https://mc-arc.org/education/monthly-testing/
- First Saturday of each month, 11AM-1PM, Walk-in (No reservation required) Dedicated venue, pretty quiet. -
Olympia Amateur Radio Society (OARS) https://www.olyham.org/license-testing
- Third Wednesday of each month, 4:30-6PM - Walk-in (No reservation required) In restaurant, may be noisy -
Radio Club of Tacoma (RCT) https://w7dk.org/license-exams
- Second Tuesday of the Month 7-9 PM, Reservaton only Dedicated venue, pretty quiet. -
please contact me via email Exam Session Query
I am an Extra Class VE, field stocked, have laptop computer and scanner so can upload exam results to VEC immediately following exam session.
[https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/searchAppl.jsp]
Just go to [https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do] once you find your application as shown above.
Starting April 19, 2022, the FCC will be charging a fee of $35.00 for each application. This fee is paid directly to the FCC and is completely separate from the examination fee charged by the VEC. The fee is required for initial applications, renewals, and vanity callsign applications and is paid directly to the FCC via the CORES webpage [https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/paymentFrnLogin.do]
Further details.
ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program
The ARRL has a Licensing Grant Program for candidates under the age of eighteen. This grant will reimburse the FCC Application Fee for one application per candidate. The ARRL also has a discounted exam fee for candidates under the age of 18. Details for both can be found at
[http://www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program]
FCC Requires Email Address on Applications
Details
Social Security Numbers are no longer accepted on Applications!
Obtain an FRN prior to taking your examination, by going to the FCC's webpage [https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do] and clicking on the Register link.
The FCC has an instructional video at [https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn]
Be aware - some information such as address and Felony Conviction status will be made publicly available by the FCC.
Use of an alternate mailing address such as a PO Box or work address is acceptable.
To see if there are local classes check our Class Listing
The current fee for taking the exam is $15.00, payable by cash or check made out to ARRL/VEC.
If paying with cash, please have the exact amount because the examiners may not be able to make change.
We recommend taking practice exams before taking the exam. If you can take the practice exam and consistently score at least 90%, you should be ready to pass the actual exam. Some practice exams may be found at [http://www.eham.net/exams]
What to bring to exam session:
Ballpoint Pen and Pencils
Calculator - We will clear memories of programmable calculators if they are to be used on the exam.
Due to the ability of some cell phones to browse the internet, we cannot allow the use of cell phone calculators.
FCC Registration Number (FRN) - Required by FCC.
Legal Photo Identification - If you are a student without a photo ID, then two pieces of other ID are required, such as a student ID card, library card, or social security card.
Examination fee ($15.00) - Cash or check made out to ARRL/VEC
Originals and copies of any paperwork being claimed for credit - If applicable
Paperwork claimed for credit includes unexpired CSCEs, current license, proof of previous licensure, and expired licenses. If we can not verify licensure, you will be given a CSCE for Element Credit ONLY.
The examinaton fee is valid for taking all elements until one is failed. To retake after failing will require payment of another examination fee.
NOTE: No one will be permitted in the exam session other than candidates and examiners, so if someone else accompanies the candidate, they may wait in their car.
Special Exam Sessions - If you have a group desiring an exam session but are unable to make it to our regularly scheduled session we may be able to accommodate you. Contact us at the email link at the bottom of this page.
FRN - The FCC requires any entity doing business with it to have an FRN. To obtain an FRN prior to taking an examination, please go to the FCC's webpage [https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do] and clicking on the Register link.
Paperwork Upgrade - If you hold a Technician Licence issued prior to 1987, you passed the General written exam and are elegible for a paperwork upgrade to General. You will need to provide proof the Technician licence was issued prior to 1987. If you have any questions, please contact us (below).
Lifetime License Credit - If you held an license greater than Technician in the past and it expired more than two years ago, you can regain that license by passing the Technician exam and providing proof of the highest license held. This means if you held a General or an Amateur Extra license that expired, passing the Element 2 exam and providing proof of the higher class license will result in a new General or Amateur Extra class license being granted. If the expired license was Advanced, a General class license will be issued. If your license expired less than two years ago, simply renew it. If you have any questions, please contact us (below).
Question Pools, Exam study guides, VE manual, and Miscellaneous forms can be found here
Questions about exam or problems with this web page, please email us.