Exams

Who this is for…

Use the Registration links on this page if you want to take the written exam only.

If you are interested in taking the Ham Radio Review before the exam, please register here. The Ham Review is sponsored by the Washoe County ARES.

Preparation

1. Check the Exam Dates on the right for available Dates/Times and to register if a link is provided. Some Dates will require registration. 
    
2. Bring $15.00 to the Examination.
   Read More on the FCC Amateur Application Fee below
    
3. A legal photo ID (driver's license, passport)
    
4. FCC Issued Federal Registration Number (FRN) (See below to obtain Federal Registration Number) See instructions below on obtaining "Get your FRN". 
    
5. UPGRADING ONLY!: If you are upgrading please bring a copy of your license. You can download a copy of your license by going to the FCC Website. Click here to obtain a copy of your license.

Get your FRN

Getting your Federal Registration Number (FRN) provides you an ID rather than showing / providing your social security number at the exam. It also provides you access to your online account and makes it easier to view when your licensed has been issued, renewals and other administrative changes.

1. Visit http://fcc.gov/uls or click here.
    
2. If you hold a GMRS or Pilot or other license from the FCC please use your current FRN or search by clicking on the Search button.
    
3. For a new FRN Click the  button.
    
4. Choose "Individual"  in the Registration Type and check "Yes" if your address is in the U.S.
    
5. Continue filling out the form.
    
6. Record your FRN and bring this with you to the exam.

Exam Dates

Exam Times: The exact time of your Saturday morning exam will be emailed to you when you register. Candidates will be permitted to enter 10 minutes before scheduled exam time. No walk-ins are allowed, those wishing to take the exam must register. 

Contact Us at exams@snars.org if you have any questions or need to cancel.

If you have an FRN ID and password

or

FCC Advanced Search

Enter your Last Name, City, State and select "Amateur" in the service group dropdown. If your licensed has been issued you will see it in the results.

It may take upwards of 7 to 14 days for amateur radio licenses to be issued. Please be patient if there are holidays or other delays that might occur during the processing of your license.

FCC $35 Amateur Application Fee

The $35 application fee will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. The fee will be per application.

Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, will be exempt from fees.

VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect the $35 fee at exam sessions.
New and upgrade 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 (CORES - Login). VEC and VE team licensing procedures will not change.

When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate. The candidate will have 10 calendar days, from the date of the application file number being issued, to pay. After the fee is paid, and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license. The link will be good for 30 days.

Per usual procedures, examinees that pass multiple exams at one session, will have one application transmitted to the FCC reflecting the highest level license class earned. Again, our procedures will not change. The candidates will have an extra step before the license is issued. VE teams can point candidates to our FCC Application Fee webpage www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee. Our new ARRL VEC CSCEs also include information about the application fee and points candidates to the webpage.