What You Need:

1. At check-in and registration, all candidates MUST provide a legal photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. If you do not have a photo ID, you will need to provide two other forms of ID. These include student IDs, employee ID, Social Security, library card, birth certificate, utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names you or a postmarked envelope addressed to you at your current mailing address.

2. The exam fee for ARRL tests is currently $15.00, payable in cash, or check made out to the ARRL/VEC. You'll need to obtain an FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN) if you don't have one. Directions and registration can be found here.

3. As of April 2022, you'll also be required to pay the FCC a $35 license fee for new licenses, renewals and upgrades. This is paid directly to the FCC. Information can be found here.

4. You may bring a calculator--memories must be cleared and have no information stored during the test session. Cell phones or any devices capable of connecting to the Internet are not permitted for these examinations.

5. Upgrading? Bring either a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio license, a reference copy printed out from the FCC website or the originals and photocopies of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. This is required by the FCC. Any photocopies will not be returned. Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are available at this link:Obtain License Copy.

Other Stuff:

We provide all necessary FCC forms and will assist you in filling them out prior to the examinations. All amateur licenses have a two-year grace period after expiration, allowing renewal without retesting. If you have an expired license outside the grace renewal period, you are no longer a licensed radio amateur and are required to take the appropriate exam elements to get a new license.