Licensing Overview #

The General Class License is the second step in the US amateur radio licensing structure, building upon Technician privileges. Here’s a quick look at the license classes and what lies ahead.

The Three US License Classes #

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issues three license classes to new applicants. Some operators still hold Novice or Advanced licenses, but those classes are no longer issued to new applicants.

1. Technician: Your entry ticket. VHF/UHF privileges, local repeaters, limited HF access.
2. General: The class this book prepares you for. Broader HF privileges, more options for international communication, higher power limits on many HF bands, and eligibility for accreditation to administer Technician exams.
3. Amateur Extra: The highest class. Additional HF frequency privileges, eligibility for more call sign formats, and eligibility for accreditation to administer all amateur exam elements.

Each license builds on the previous one and requires credit for the lower-class exams as well. Most applicants earn that credit by passing the exams. To hold an Amateur Extra license, you need credit for all three.

Upgrade Requirements #

If you already hold a Technician license, you need only Element 3, the General exam, to upgrade.

The question pool is maintained by the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC).

Your FCC Registration Number #

Before registering for an exam, you’ll need an FCC Registration Number (FRN). This free, 10-digit number identifies you in the FCC’s records. The exam team uses it on your license application. It is separate from your call sign.

If you already have an FRN, reuse it. You can find it on your FCC license, and it stays the same when you upgrade. Use an individual FRN registered in your own name, not a business FRN. Each applicant needs their own FRN, including family members.

To get an FRN, use the FCC’s Commission Registration System (CORES):

1. Create an FCC username account using your email address, then follow the email verification instructions.
2. Sign in to CORES and choose Register New FRN. Register as an individual, select CORES FRN Registration, and complete the form with your identifying and contact information.
3. Save the FRN shown on the confirmation page and provide it when you register for your exam.

Finding an Exam Session #

Volunteer Examiners (VEs) are licensed amateurs accredited to administer exams. They work through a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC), which coordinates sessions and sends qualified applicants’ information to the FCC.

Visit HamStudy.org/sessions to find in-person and remote exams, or ask a local amateur radio club. Read the VE team’s instructions before registering; fees, identification requirements, and remote-exam arrangements vary. Contact the team listed for the session if you have questions.

Have your FRN, accepted identification, and any license or exam-credit documents requested by the team ready. Check the VE team’s rules for calculators and other materials. For a remote exam, arrange a quiet space and test the required camera, internet connection, and software beforehand. The team may ask you to show your room and work area on camera.

Exam and Application Fees #

Exam teams may charge a fee to cover examination expenses; check the session listing for the amount and payment method. The FCC does not charge an application fee for a license-class upgrade. A new license application currently costs $35, paid separately to the FCC. Follow the FCC’s payment instructions if your application requires that fee. Current fee guidance is available on ARRL’s FCC application-fee page; the latest version of this book is at hambook.org.

After Passing Your Exam #

The VEs give you a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) and forward your application through their VEC. Keep the certificate and check that your FCC license record is updated.

If you already hold a Technician license, you can use temporary General privileges with an unexpired CSCE once you complete the General requirements and properly submit the application through the VEs. When using those privileges before the upgrade appears in the FCC database, add /AG after your call sign. First-time applicants must wait for their FCC license grant before transmitting as a control operator.

Section 9.6 explains what to keep after passing and the conditions and time limits for using your new privileges.

Maintaining Your License #

Your General Class License normally has a 10-year term and can be renewed without another exam. If it expires, you have a two-year grace period to renew, but the grace period alone does not allow you to transmit. A timely and properly filed renewal application can allow continued operation while the FCC processes it. Section 9.6 explains renewal and the exam credit available after a license has expired.

Important Note: If you held a Technician license granted before March 21, 1987, you may qualify for Element 3 credit. Check with a Volunteer Examiner (VE) team about the required proof and application. The old license document does not itself grant General operating privileges.