Amateur Radio License Exams (In-Person Only)
During GRCon24 we will be hosting Amateur Radio license exams for those interested in obtaining or upgrading their licenses (In-Person Only). Check out ARRL's overview for more details about Licenses.
Amateur Radio License Exams will be offered on Wednesday Sept. 18 at 1:00 PM.
There are study guides and trial exam tests available for free online:
- Dan Romanchik No-Nonsense Study Guides
- ARRL trial license testing ARRL Exam Review
Details About the Exams
Exams Available
All three exam levels are available: Technician, General, and Extra. Applicants may take any exam(s) they have prepared for, in any order. A lower license class exam does not have to be passed in order to take a higher license class exam. For example, the Technician Class exam does not have to be passed to take the General Class exam. But, both would have to be passed to be eligible for a General Class license.
Exams are closed book. No books, notes, or any other materials are allowed.
Applicants who are not successful may be allowed, at the discretion of the VEs, to retest at the same session if they were very close to passing, and there is time for another exam. Many applicants have found it helpful to take any of the on-line exams that are available, more than once, to determine whether they were ready to take their license exam (see above).
FCC Registration Number (FRN)
The FCC requires you to use a Federal Registration Number (FRN). The FRN is a unique number the FCC uses to identify you. Your Social Security number is required by the FCC when you obtain an FRN, but the FRN is used after that for your transactions with the FCC.
An FRN can be obtained here. It is highly recommended that you get an FRN before coming to the exam session as this speeds up the process at the session. If you need assistance obtaining an FRN, a VE may be able to help you at your exam session (time permitting), and you will need access to your email at the session to do that.
At an exam session you can show your FRN on a printout from the FCC CORES system, or display it on your phone or other device. If you currently have an Amateur Radio license, your FRN will appear on your license, in the FCC ULS database, and in the FCC CORES database. FRNs are not just used for amateur radio licenses. You might already have an FRN if you have a GMRS license or had some other transaction with the FCC.
FEES
The Volunteer Examiner Team is provided by The University of Tennessee Amateur Radio Club. There is a $15.00 test fee collected by the examiners (cash only).
If you pass the exam and wish to get a new or renewed license, there also will be a $35.00 processing fee paid directly to the FCC. After passing the exam you will have 30 days to decide if you want to apply for the license and pay the processing fee.
Paper Licenses
The FCC no longer mails paper licenses. You can print one yourself from your ULS record if you wish. Note that the FCC considers the ULS electronic record to be the official record of your license.
What To Bring To Your Exam Session:
- A government-issued photo ID.
- A mailing address (FCC required), email address (FCC required), and phone number (expedites processing your exam results if the VE team needs to contact you with questions).
- FRN. It is highly recommended that you obtain your FRN before coming to the exam session. It’s best to bring a printout from the FCC CORES web site, or be able to display your FRN on your phone or other device.
- If you are applying for exam credit, bring your proof with you. A copy must be left with the VE team. This item does not apply to applicants who will be taking only the Technician exam.
- Optional:
- You may bring your own calculator to use as long as nothing is programmed in it or stored in its memories. You may not use the calculator in a smartphone or cell phone. Cell phones, devices that can be connected to the internet, other electronic devices, or devices which make noise must be turned off and out of sight during your exam.
- Pens and pencils are provided at the exam session. Forms are filled out in ink or printed using a computer. Signatures must be in ink. Exams may be taken in pencil, and clean, complete erasures are permitted if you need to change an answer.
