Amateur Radio Exam Sessions

Thank you for choosing SCRA for your amateur radio license examination needs! We want the process to be as smooth and painless as possible. Look to the right for details of upcoming exam sessions, and please keep the following in mind:

Thank you for choosing SCRA for your amateur radio license examination needs! We want the process to be as smooth and painless as possible. Scroll down for details of upcoming exam sessions, and please keep the following in mind:

Before the exam

You must obtain an FRN. Click here to learn more.

We will be using the ExamTools web application to administer the exam. This means that you can take the exam using a device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone or you can take the exam on paper. It is your choice! You can decide how you want to take the exam when you arrive.

Also, you can pre-register for the exam (not mandatory, but appreciated) by going to hamstudy.org. Click on Find a Session in the upper right corner and scroll down to “Sonoma County Radio Amateurs VE Team”. You must have either your FRN (if you are unlicensed) or your current amateur radio callsign (if you are upgrading) to register.

What you should bring

• One (1) photo ID or two (2) non-photo ID
• FCC Registration Number (FRN). Must obtain prior to exam session.
• #2 Pencil and eraser (if taking the exam on paper)
• Laptop, tablet, or smartphone with internet access (if taking the exam electronically)
• $15 exam fee for adults (18+ years of age) or $5 for minors (proof of age required). Checks should be made payable to “ARRL-VEC”.
• Original and photocopy of your current amateur radio license (if licensed)
• Original and photocopy of any valid CSCEs (if applicable)
• Original and photocopy of any documents submitted for exam credit (see Exam Element Credit below)

PLEASE NOTE: Exam Fee must be paid either by cash or check (made payable to “ARRL-VEC”). We do not accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic funds transfer.

Calculators may be used, but it must be demonstrated that all memories and programs have been erased. The calculator function in a cell phone or PDA may not be used!

If you have any special needs, please contact Brian Torr N6IIY in advance.

Obtaining an FRN

Applicants for a new license must apply for an FRN directly from the FCC before the exam. Do not wait until the last minute to obtain your FRN! Exams are held on the weekend, and there have been instances where the FCC’s website is down on weekends. 

To apply for an FRN, go to this FCC website: www.fcc.gov/uls and follow the link to New User Registration.

You can also find some helpful information regarding the FRN process at this website: https://www.fcc.gov/new-users-guide-getting-started-universal-licensing-system-uls

FCC Application Fee

The ARRL-VEC charges a fee to administer the exam. You pay this fee when you take the exam. The FCC now also charges a $35 application fee which is separate from the exam fee. Please note that you will NOT be able to pay this fee at the time of the examination; you must wait for the e-mail from the FCC to arrange payment.

When the FCC receives your exam information, it will email a link with payment instructions to you if you’ve passed the exam. You will have 10 calendar days from the date of the application file number being issued to pay. After the fee is paid and the FCC has processed your application, you will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to your official license or, in very rare instances, an explanation for why your application was dismissed or denied. The link will be valid for 30 days.

This fee applies to new, renewal, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and modification applications to upgrade an amateur radio licensee’s operator class, are exempt from fees.

Minors (under 18 years of age) may apply to the ARRL-VEC for a reimbursement of the $35 application fee. Refer to the Youth Licensing Grant Program for more details.

License Upgrades

If you will already have a license and wish to upgrade, you must bring your signed, current license (must be the Official Copy, not a Reference Copy) and a photocopy of that license to the exam session. Click here for instructions on How to Download Your License on the FCC Database. After you download the official copy, be sure to sign it and then make a photocopy of it to bring to the exam session. Thanks to Andrew Raike KE6HID, and John Breckenridge WB6FRZ for putting this document together.

Exam Element Credit for Expired Licenses

The FCC now offers partial credit for expired General, Advanced or Amateur Extra class Amateur Radio licenses. A license that has expired and gone beyond the two year grace period will be canceled in the FCC system. The licensee will not automatically qualify for a new license. At a minimum, previous license holders must take the current 35-question Technician exam at a VE exam session to return to Amateur Radio.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide documents to obtain this credit. For information on where to obtain such documents, refer to the following URL (expand the link to “Valid Forms of Exam Element Credit for Expired Licenses”): http://www.arrl.org/exam-element-credit

Please have these documents before appearing at an amateur radio exam session.

Online Exams

If you don’t wish to travel to our exam location, you might consider taking an On-Line Exam.  PARC is one organization that is offering such exams. To see what this entails, please visit PARC’s website for On-Line Exams. Please understand that following their instructions is required to ensure the integrity of the exam and to be respectful of the time required by the Volunteer Examiner (VE) team and any other candidates that are scheduled after your slot.

Good luck!

Brian Torr, N6IIY
n6iiy@arrl.net
(707) 575-5871 (home)