Ham radio license test: the complete guide
How the U.S. amateur radio license exam works, from choosing a license to seeing your new call sign. Written for complete beginners.
Quick answer: Most people start with the Technician exam: 35 multiple-choice questions, 26 correct to pass. You take it with a team of Volunteer Examiners in person or online, then pay a $35 FCC application fee. You can transmit once your license appears in the FCC database.
Who the license test is for
Anyone who wants to transmit on amateur (ham) radio frequencies in the United States needs an FCC amateur license. There is no minimum age. Listening does not require a license, but transmitting does, including on handheld radios and repeaters.
The three license classes
| License | Exam | Questions / to pass | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | Element 2 | 35 / 26 | All privileges above 50 MHz (local and regional contacts, repeaters, satellites) plus limited HF. |
| General | Element 3 | 35 / 26 | Most HF privileges for long-distance and worldwide contacts. |
| Amateur Extra | Element 4 | 50 / 37 | All U.S. amateur privileges, including exclusive band segments. |
You must pass the exams in order: Technician first, then General, then Extra. You may take more than one in a single session if the exam team allows it. Morse code has not been required since 2007.
Exam format
- Multiple choice with four answers per question.
- Questions come from a public pool. Each pool is revised every four years, and every exam takes one question from each topic group. Current pools: Technician 2026-2030, General 2023-2027, Extra 2024-2028.
- Graded on the spot by the Volunteer Examiners. You usually learn your result before you leave.
How to prepare
Learn the material
Read the study guide for your license: Technician, General or Extra.
Practice under exam conditions
Take full practice exams and review every missed question.
Know when you are ready
Book your exam once you pass several new practice exams in a row with a comfortable margin.
Booking your exam
1. Get an FCC Registration Number (FRN)
Register for free in the FCC's CORES system before your exam. Exam teams ask for your FRN on the application form (NCVEC Form 605), and using an FRN keeps your Social Security number off the paperwork.
2. Find a session
Exams are run by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) working under a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC). Each session needs at least three accredited VEs (47 CFR §97.509). You can test in person, often at a club meeting or library, or remotely by video. Search for sessions with the ARRL exam session search or the HamStudy session finder.
3. Know the costs
- Exam session fee: set by the VEC or team. Many ARRL VEC sessions list $15, and some teams charge less or nothing. Check the session listing.
- FCC application fee: $35, paid to the FCC after you pass, for new licenses. Upgrades within your license term do not need a new FCC fee.
Test day checklist
- Government-issued photo ID (ask the team what they accept, especially for minors)
- Your FRN
- Exam fee in the form the team accepts (some take cash only)
- Pencils, and a calculator if the team allows it (memory cleared)
- For remote exams: a computer with webcam and microphone, a quiet room, and any software the team requires
After you pass
- The VE team gives you a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) and submits your application.
- For a new license, the FCC emails you instructions to pay the $35 application fee. Your license is not granted until it is paid.
- Your call sign appears in the FCC ULS database, and the FCC emails a link to your official license. For a first license, you may transmit only after it appears in the database.
- Your license is valid for 10 years. When you upgrade, a CSCE lets you use the new privileges right away (with an identifier such as "AG" or "AE" after your call) and gives exam credit for 365 days.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the ham radio license test?
The Technician exam is designed for beginners. Because every question comes from a public pool, steady practice works well. General and Extra are progressively more technical.
Can I take the ham radio test online?
Yes. Several VEC programs run remote sessions by video, with examiners watching you take the exam. You book them the same way as in-person sessions.
What if I fail?
You can try again at a later session, and some teams allow a retake with a different exam at the same session for another fee. Use your results to focus on weak topics first.
How long until I get my call sign?
It depends on how quickly your exam team submits the paperwork and how soon you pay the FCC fee. Check your status by searching your name in the FCC ULS license search.