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Licensing, Education & Training

Be a Radio Amateur

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Want to get an Amateur Radio license or upgrade? Want to help others get licensed or teach using ham radio? Looking for public service training or serving as part of ARRL’s ARES field training team? You can even arrange an Amateur Radio contact for your students with the International Space Station! Click on the links below or on the left to learn more about ARRL's licensing and education resources:

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Why Should I Get Licensed?

Before you go on air, you need to be licensed and know the rules.  Learn More


What's New?

FCC GENERAL CLASS QUESTION POOL REVISED JULY 1, 2023
The FCC question pool for General Class license examinations has been revised and is effective for exams conducted on or after July 1, 2023.
The next update is the Extra Class question pool in 2024.
Study materials are available through the ARRL store


IN-PERSON OR ONLINE EXAMS 
Find a ham radio exam session in your area or take the exam online. In-person and online tests are given regularly. Register with an ARRL VEC team for your exam and receive your license in 24 to 48 hours.  Search for exam teams.     


FCC APPLICATION FEES
The $35 application fee, in effect since April 19, 2022, applies to new, renewal, and modification applications requesting a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application. Other types of application filings are exempt from the fees. Visit the FCC Application Fees page for detailed information and instructions.  


ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program 
ARRL will cover the one-time $35 FCC application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). 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. For more information and for the reimbursement instructions, visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage.



Be a Volunteer Examiner

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Volunteer Examiners (VEs) are licensed radio amateurs holding a General Class license or higher, who offer their time to administer the FCC licensing tests.
Learn More


 

Resources

  • Find A License Class

    Find a license class offered in your local area. Learn More

  • Find a Test Location

    Find an in-person ham radio exam location in your area or schedule an online exam. Online and in-person tests are given regularly. Learn More

  • FCC License Info and Forms

    ARRL can provide helpful FCC information about licensing requirements, forms, fees and regulations. Learn More

  • Get on the Air

    You've got your license, now what? Find resources to help you set up your first station, get on the air and have fun! Learn More

  • Ham Radio in the Classroom

    Bring Amateur Radio and wireless technology literacy to America's classrooms. Learn More

  • College Students and Educators

    Check out Amateur Radio resources for college/university-level STEM students and educators interested in RF and communications. Learn More

  • Youth

    Ham Radio is FUN! Find resources for getting active and getting on-the-air... Learn More

  • ARISS

    The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program provides a thrilling introduction to space exploration. Learn More

  • Volunteer Instructors

    Teaching a ham radio class? Here's a collection of resources for volunteer instructors, radio clubs and mentors (Elmers). Learn More

  • Online Courses

    Courses are currently available for Public Service and Emergency Communications. Learn More

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