ARRL Exam Session

An ARRL Exam Session is a structured event organized by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), where individuals can take the necessary examinations to obtain or upgrade their Amateur Radio licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These sessions are conducted by a team of Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who are certified amateur radio operators authorized to administer the exams. During an ARRL Exam Session, candidates are tested on their knowledge of radio theory, regulations, and operating practices, covering various license classes such as Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The sessions are designed to ensure that all applicants meet the required competency standards to operate amateur radio equipment.

ARRL Exam Sessions are held regularly in numerous locations across the country, providing accessibility to a wide audience of aspiring radio operators. Successfully passing the exam grants the candidate the privileges associated with the respective license class, enabling them to legally operate on designated amateur radio frequencies and engage with the global amateur radio community.

The FCC charges a fee to issue an initial license as well as for other FCC services. The FCC fee must be paid directly to the FCC not to an organization or exam team. ARRL will cover the one-time $35 FCC application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. The $35 FCC application fee will be reimbursed after the ARRL VEC receives the completed reimbursement form and the new license has been issued by the FCC. The reimbursement check will be mailed to the fee payer. Also, candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam.

What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session:

1. FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. 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. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration page.

2. One legal photo ID such as a drivers license, passport, military or police photo ID card, student Photo ID, or State issued ID.

3. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions.

4. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed.

5. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used.

6. Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee(s).

The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, are effective April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission's authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.

The $35 application fee applies to new, renewal, rule waiver, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee is per application.

If paying a fee for an application filed by a VEC organization, please use the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES - Login). The candidate will have 10 calendar days, from the date of the application file number being issued, to pay. Login and pay as soon as the application is in the FCC system. CORES payment instructions.

VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams should not collect the $35 fee at exam sessions. The FCC fee must be paid online directly to the FCC not to the VE team or organization processing the application form. VEC and VE team licensing procedures are unchanged. New applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual, and pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system

• Find an ARRL Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area
• W5YI-VEC: Find An Exam session
• ARRL VEC Coordinated Exam Session
• FCC Application Fee Instructions
• FCC FRN Registration - LOGIN

In addition to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), several other organizations are authorized to administer Ham Radio License exams in the United States. One alternative is the W5YI Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) which is another prominent organization that coordinates and administers amateur radio exams. They provide a network of volunteer examiners across the country.

A New Option - Ham Exam Online. The ONLINE system is more complicated and time consuming than a regular in-person exam. You MUST read and follow all the protocol. To be sure no one can cheat, you will be asked to scan all around the room and verify the integrity of the exam environment. You and your exam session will be recorded.