The FCC Form 605 is long and many of the questions do not apply to the Amateur Service because this form is used with many services in addition to the Amateur Service. It is critical that amateurs use the correct application codes on the Form 605. For example, if an application for renewal, but not modification, indicates an application code of "RM" (to renew and modify a license), the entire application will be rejected.

Here are quick instructions on completing the form:

LICENSE ADDRESS CHANGE or NAME CHANGE or SYSTEMATIC CALL SIGN CHANGE*
LICENSE LOST or DESTROYED 

• Complete the FCC Form 605 (JULY 2005) by filling in NUMBERS 1 through 30. Remember to sign and date the back of the form.

• For the Radio Service Code (Block #1) write code 'HA' in the Box (unless you currently hold a vanity issued call sign then write code 'HV').

• For the Application Purpose ( #2 ) write code 'AU' in the parenthesis for requested Changes to your license EXCEPT

For Systematic Call Changes to your license write code 'MD'* OR

For a Duplicate copy of your license write code 'DU' [if the license requires any changes (address, call, etc.) you must use code 'AU' or 'MD' per above].

• In the following Block write 'N' for (not applicable) #3.

• The following Blocks should be left BLANK on the 605 Form: #4 #6 #12 #14 #24 #25 #29 ( Title: ).

• #5 write your current call sign.

• In the following Blocks write 'No' or 'N' : #7 #8 #13 #23 #24 #26 #27.

• #9 FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN).

• #10 check box 'I' for Individual.

• Complete Blocks #11, #15 and/or #16, #17 #18 #19 #20 #28 #29 (Signature) #30. Blocks # 21 #22 #23 are optional.

* Systematic call sign changes require an additional FCC form (FCC Form 605 Schedule D) to accompany the regular 605 form for submission to the FCC (or participating VECs). On Schedule D, under the heading Systematic Call Sign Change, enter 'Y' for block 1.

* Vanity call sign change requests require FCC Form 605, FCC Form 605 Schedule D, plus FCC Payment Form 159. Because different procedures are followed for vanity call sign changes, the forms must go to a different FCC address for processing with the associated fee.

After completing all the forms, you can mail your FCC Form 605, FCC Form 159, FCC 605 Schedule D and payment to: Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Bureau Applications, PO Box 979097 St. Louis, MO 63197-9000

LICENSE RENEWAL* or REINSTATEMENT (if expired less than 2 years)

Amateur Radio Licenses are valid for a 10 year term. The FCC Form 605 may be sent to the FCC (or participating VECs) up to 90 days before the expiration date of the license. Any submissions received at the FCC or VEC greater than 90 days will be returned to the license holder. Any license that has been expired for more than 2 years will NOT be reinstated-- instead the individual must re-obtain a license by retaking the exams. 

• Complete the FCC Form 605 (JULY 2005) by filling in NUMBERS 1 through 30. Remember to sign and date the back of the form.

• For the Radio Service Code (Block #1) write code 'HA' in the Box (unless you currently hold a vanity issued call sign then write code 'HV').

• For the Application Purpose ( #2 ) write code 'RO' in the parenthesis for requested Renewal Only of your license OR write code 'RM' in the parenthesis for Renewal and requested Changes to your license (name, address, etc.).

• In the following Block write 'N' for (not applicable) #3.

• The following Blocks should be left BLANK on the 605 Form: #4 #6 #12 #13 #14 #24 #25 #29 ( Title: ).

• #5 write your current call sign.

• In the following Blocks write 'No' or 'N' : #7 #8 #23 #24 #26 #27.

• #9 FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN).

• #10 check box 'I' for Individual.

• Complete Blocks #11, #15 and/or #16, #17 #18 #19 #20 #28 #29 (Signature) #30. Blocks # 21 #22 #23 are optional.

* Vanity call sign renewals require FCC Form 605, plus FCC Payment Form 159 and a FCC regulatory fee. Because different procedures are followed for vanity call renewals, the forms must go to a different FCC address for processing with the associated fee.

After completing all the forms, you can mail your FCC Form 605, FCC Form 159, and payment to: Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Bureau Applications, PO Box 979097 St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. If you do not wish to pay the mandatory fee, you may request a sequentially issued call sign at the time of renewal.

The FCC web site can be used for renewals at 90 days or less before your license will expire, or up to two years after expiration (FCC grace period). Applications filed earlier than 90 days or after the two year grace period will not process.  

Unlike the pre-ULS system, you must now complete an FCC Form 605 in order to receive a duplicate license. Amateurs are not required to carry a copy of their license at all times as they were at one time; as long as your license data appears in the FCC database, that's sufficient. There are other times when you need to carry a copy of your FCC license, at a testing session or during foreign travel, for example.

Note: For Amateurs filing FCC Form 605s manually, the answer to questions 26 and 27 is always "no".

• These instructions can only be used in conjunction with NCVEC QUICK-FORM 605 APPLICATION FOR AMATEUR OPERATOR/PRIMARY STATION LICENSE.
   
• Do not send or provide this form to the FCC - this form is for VE / VEC use only. For routine changes/modifications/renewal of your amateur license, once you have registered yourself in the FCC's ULS Registration System (which requires you to supply your Taxpayer ID Number to FCC {this is your Social Security Number}-as required under the Debt Collection Act of 1996), then obtain and submit an FCC Form 605 to FCC by mail, or update your record on line via the FCC ULS web page. FCC forms can be obtained via the FCC web, via FTP or by fax at 202-418-0177 (request Form 000605). The FCC Forms Distribution Center will accept orders by calling 800-418-3676.
   
• Supplying this form to a Volunteer Examiner (VE), Volunteer Examiner Team or to a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) - When using this form, you are required to provide your Taxpayer ID Number (TIN)--which is your Social Security Number (SSN)--or an FCC-assigned Federal Registration Number (10 digits beginning with a "0") on this application. Federal Registration Numbers are assigned by the FCC's ULS Registration system as soon as you are registered in the ULS. If you register electronically, you can immediately view on line your Federal Registration Number. If you register by mail (see below), once FCC processes your registration you can then phone FCC and obtain your FCC-assigned Federal Registration Number. Once you have it, you may use your FCC-assigned Federal Registration Number in place of your SSN for all future Amateur license applications.
   
• Applicants who have not yet registered in ULS or Foreign applicants - may still sit for and take examinations for a new Amateur license, or to upgrade an existing Amateur license with the understanding that no action will be taken by FCC on any application until after the applicant has registered in the ULS. Not being registered in the ULS will cause a delay in the filing of the application. Failure to notify the coordinating VEC of subsequent registration in the ULS, or failure to register, will result in the application being placed on hold until this FCC requirement has been met. Foreign applicants (not eligible for a US Social Security Number) must register on-line as exempt by selecting the reason "the individual is foreign" and a Federal Registration Number will be issued.
   
• Registering in ULS - can be accomplished electronically via the FCC ULS web page or by obtaining, completing and forwarding the FCC's ULS Registration form (FCC Form 606) to the FCC by fax (717-338-2693) or by mail to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245. FCC Form 606 can be obtained via the  FCC web or via FTP or by fax at 202-418-0177 (request Form 000606). The FCC Forms Distribution Center will accept orders by calling 800-418-3676.
   
• Why must I register in the FCC ULS? For US Citizens, the US Government now requires you to have your Taxpayer ID Number (your Social Security Number) registered with the FCC. The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires the FCC to collect this information. Congress enacted the Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA) as part of an effort to increase collection of delinquent government debts. As a result of the DCIA, the Commission and other executive agencies are required to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers from each entity doing business with a Federal agency, including applicants for, or recipients of, a Federal license or permit. In addition, the Taxpayer ID Number (TIN)-our Social Security Number--will be used as a unique identifier for each licensee within the ULS. [In the FCC's Commercial Services, TINs are commonplace--since companies rarely have a Social Security Number. For individuals, our TIN is our Social Security Number]. The TIN, along with a user-selected password, will provide licensees access to their licensing records in order to renew or modify their licenses. You can register in the Universal Licensing System (ULS).

• These instructions can only be used in conjunction with NCVEC QUICK-FORM 605 APPLICATION FOR AMATEUR OPERATOR/PRIMARY STATION LICENSE.
• Send this form, when completed, to your coordinating VEC. Do not send or provide this form to the FCC!
• Be sure that each applicant for a new license, license upgrade or modification provides the following information in Section 1:
  • Applicant contact information, including: Full name, call sign (if any) address, (Social Security Number, or FCC-issued Federal Registration Number [10 digits beginning with a "0"]), city, state, zip code, e-mail address (optional), phone number (optional), fax number (optional)
  • Mandatory Social Security Number (SSN): Social Security Number, or FCC-issued Federal Registration Number (10 digits beginning with a "0").
  • In most cases, Applicant Type is "Individual." Club and Military Recreation license grants or renewals, or RACES modifications may also use this form.
  • Application Purpose: Check the box or boxes that apply for this applicant (eg, Examination for Upgrade, and Change of mailing address might both be checked for some applicants).
  • Does applicant have another license application pending at FCC? If yes, explain.
  • Applicant Signature and Date Signed
• VEs complete Section 2:
  • Indicate license class earned at the test session for the date and test location indicated at right.
  • In the boxes at right, indicate the test date, test site city and state or country, VEC name (and or VEC code {eg, "LÆ 6" for a W5YI Coordinated examination, or "DÆ 6" for an ARRL/VEC-coordinated examination, held in Los Angeles CA} and the date the test results were received from the VE team.
  • Enter the Three Administering VE's Certifications - Each of three qualified and VEC-accredited administering VEs must PRINT their name, PRINT their call sign, SIGN their name and enter the date signed.
• Physician's Complete Section 3.

Step-by-Step ARRL VEC Form 605-C Club Station Application and Filing Procedure

• Obtain ARRL VEC Form 605-C from the ARRL's FCC Amateur Radio Forms page, (using the W4VEC CSCSA Form or NCVEC Form 605 also is acceptable, but these instructions refer to the ARRL VEC Form 605). The club license trustee must complete the form. The trustee and another responsible club official must sign the form in the appropriate places.
   
• Use this form to apply for a new or modify an existing CLUB STATION LICENSE or to renew a NON-Vanity Club Station License. FCC requires a Regulatory Fee to Renew Vanity Licenses. Vanity CLUB STATION LICENSE Renewals may also use this form, but must submit the FCC Regulatory Fee and ARRL $5 processing Fee with the Form (the check should be made payable to ARRL VEC). If you do not wish to pay the mandatory fee, you may request a sequentially issued call sign at the time of renewal. Use this form to apply for a new or modify an existing MILITARY RECREATION STATION LICENSE. This form can also be used to modify an existing RACES STATION LICENSE. New RACES Station licenses are no longer being issued and RACES station license cannot be renewed.
   
• Use a typewriter or print clearly in ink.
   
• Complete all applicable fields on this form - telephone numbers, fax number and e-mail addresses are optional, 4. but supplying this information recommended.
   
• For modifications and renewals, if available, attach a copy of the current station license.
  The application must be signed in ink by two different individuals.
   
• Section 1 -- Application Purpose: Check all boxes that apply.
   
• Section 2 -- Trustee Information: Fill in the proposed or new trustee's name and call sign information; optionally, include telephone, fax and e-mail information.
   
• Section 3 -- Club Information: Fill in the name of the club, club station call sign (unless the application is for a new license) and the US Mail address to which the license will be mailed; optionally, include telephone, fax and e-mail information. If the club has already been issued a Federal Registration Number (FRN) in the CORES program, include FRN in the space provided. If the club has been issued an EIN (Employer Identification Number) by the Internal Revenue Service, enter that number in the space provided. If the club has not been issued either an FRN or an EIN, leave this space blank. DO NOT enter a personal Social Security Number, ATIN or FCC License ID number.
   
• Section 4 -- Certification: The applicant and responsible party should read the certification (including the RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) RADIATION SAFETY certification) before signing the application document.

  Club Station Licenses

  This section must be signed by the club license trustee and by another responsible club official. The trustee must hold an FCC issued amateur license of any class except Novice. The responsible club official must be an officer of the club. He or she MUST NOT be the same person as the club license trustee.

  Military Recreation Station Licenses

  The signature of the applicant for a military recreation station must be that of the official in charge of a station provided for the recreational use of amateur radio operators, under the military auspices of the Armed Forces of the United States. The applicant need not be an amateur radio operator. The signature of the responsible official for a military recreation license must be that of the official in charge of the United States Government premises where the military recreation station is located. The responsible official MUST NOT be the same as the applicant.

• Direct questions to: The ARRL VEC, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 - (860) 594-0300 - E-mail vec@arrl.org.
   
• Mail or ship the original completed and signed form (not a copy or a fax) with Regulatory Fee (if applicable) to:

ARRL VEC
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111

Two other organizations have been designated by the FCC as Club Station Call Sign Administrators (CSCSAs). Applicants desiring to file their applications with either W4VEC or W5YI are advised contact these organizations for specifics regarding their filing practices.

W4VEC Volunteer Examiners Club of America, PO Box 41, Lexington, NC 27293-0411; Contact Rae Everhart K4SWN, 336-249-8734; e-mail Raef@lexcominc.net.

W5YI-VEC, PO Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356-5101. Contact Larry Pollock, NB5X, 817-860-3800; e-mail nb5x@w5yi.org.