When you are ready for your FCC Exams Online or In Person

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Now it’s time to take the test.  Amateur radio exams are administered by VEs, or Volunteer Examiners.  When you’re ready to take your exam, you have the option of taking the exam in person or online using one of the fourteen volunteer examiner organizations. Exam sessions are conducted by volunteers working under the direction of the FCC and a Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC). There be a $15 charge for taking the exam. Contact the exam session administrator to determine the documents required and to verify the session date and time. VEC organizations may have different policies regarding candidate procedures and requirements. All examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form.

Before you take your FCC Exams you will need an FRN
The FCC no longer accepts ham radio license applications using Social Security Numbers, before you sign up for an exam you will complete to obtain your FCC FRN, Federal Registration Number. 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 CORES Registration page and the FCC's Registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form to receive FCC correspondence, including the official copy of your Amateur Radio license.

Official Remote FCC Exams Online

You'll need to have an FRN and register for the exam with a local Volunteer Examiner (VE) team prior to the exam. Online tests required a fast and reliable internet connectivity, loss of internet voids your exam. You will need to be alone in a room without interruption for the duration of the exam. Taking a ham radio exam online is similar to video conferencing with Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who will monitor your computer screen and room environment during the test. The VEs will monitor your computer screen to ensure no unauthorized materials or activities are present. Just like in person you will answer the multiple-choice questions. There is no time limit for the exam. After answering all questions, you can review your answers before submitting. The exam is graded immediately, and you will receive your results. After passing, you'll be asked to review the documents required to process your license.

WM7X

American Radio Relay League

Ham Study

Finding In-Person Exam Sessions

You'll need to have an FRN and register for the exam with a local Volunteer Examiner (VE) team prior to the exam. When you arrive, an examiner will check your identification, collect the $15 fee and inspect all items you bring into the room. Most common issue are calculators as they must be non-programable and memory cleared. No smartphones are allowed. Your exam may be on paper forms with fill-in the dot answer sheets or on a tablet. Scrap paper for calculations will be offered as needed. An examiner will distribute the tablets or test booklets (do not to write on them). You write answers on the answer sheet, coloring in pencil to cover up the letter corresponding to the selected answer. Do not talk during the exam, raise your hand if you have a question. When you are done, they will grade your immediately. After you pass you will be given a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination and the FCC will be sent your information. The FCC typically grants a ham radio license within 1-4 business days after the examiner submits the paperwork, and you can usually find your call sign in the FCC database within that timeframe.

The Villages Amateur Radio Club (The Villages, Florida)

Lake Amateur Radio Association (Leesburg, Florida)

Silver Springs Radio Club (Ocala, Florida)

American Radio Relay League  (all of North America)

Ham Study (all of North America)