Remote Testing – We can test anyone, anywhere, worldwide, if you qualify
We normally test twice daily, Monday through Saturday, at 1030 and 1430 PST. We also offer sessions at 0600 PST on some days.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to find the link to start the registration process….but please read this page first!
PLEASE READ THIS PAGE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU REGISTER AS THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELATIONS FOR ANY REASON — HOWEVER, WE WILL ALLOW YOU TO RESCHEDULE IF NEEDED *
* EXAM MUST BE TAKEN WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED DATE
Remote Testing – Page updated March 18, 2022
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE TO REGISTER FOR AN EXAMINATION
PLEASE READ THIS PAGE CAREFULLY! All information you need to successfully register is provided on this page. We receive many, many questions when the answers can be found right here! Please, save us all some time by checking the information below.
FEDERAL REGISTRATION NUMBER (FRN): If you don’t have an FRN, the application process will guide you to get one. However, you are free to secure one on your own now outside of our process. Please be sure you have a “standard” FRN. It should start with “000”, “001”, “002”, or “003”. If you have a “Restricted Use FRN”, one that starts with “213”, you will need to acquire a “standard FRN”. We will not process applicants attempting to use “Restricted Use” FRNs.
LINK – CLICK HERE TO GET MY FRN NOW
APPLICANT IDENTIFICATION: — The name listed on the applicant’s government-issued photo ID MUST match the name on the license application to the FCC
Applicants Aged 18 and Over
We accept any U.S. government-issued unexpired photo identification for applicants over the age of 18. These may be issued by U.S. government federal, state, tribal, or territorial entities. We also accept International Passports written in English. We do not accept any other identification documents issued by foreign governments. We will not process an application where the name on the license application does not match the name on the photo identification document.
Applicants Under the Age of 18
Amateur radio applicants under the age of 18 may but are not required to show photo identification. However, if they do not present a photo ID as indicated above, they must present at least two of the following:
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization (U.S.)
• An original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate (Certified Informational Copies are NOT valid for identity purposes.)
• Employee Identification Card from an employer with a U.S. address
• Health Insurance Card indicating a U.S address
• School Identification Card from a school based in the U.S.
• A signed letter from a parent or guardian attesting to the positive identity of the applicant. A clear photocopy of the parent or guardian’s U.S. government-issued photo identification must be attached to the letter.
The Anchorage ARC VEC offers two options for remote testing. We strongly encourage you to carefully read this entire page before submitting an application.
Note: You should expect a telephone call from the Lead VE on your exam session on the day of exam sometime prior to your scheduled exam time (it may not come from an Alaskan area code). PLEASE EXPECT THAT CALL. The purpose will be to do a quick dry run with you to make sure all technical issues are resolved before exam time.
Option 1 (RECOMMENDED) – Fully Remote Testing
Fully remote testing shall be available for those who have the technical knowledge to setup an environment that optimizes a required configuration. To be eligible for a fully remote examination, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1) A reliable internet connection, suitable to adequately run two video feeds and one audio feed.
2) One computer with a modern web browser with a web camera that allows us to view the Examinee’s head, face, and shoulders clearly, for the duration of the examination. This same computer must have a microphone that allows the VE team to hear all sounds within the testing environment. Older iPads will NOT work for this purpose! if you have an iPad you intend to use for this purpose, make sure that it will indeed run Zoom AND a browser simultaneously.
3) Another computer with a web camera, a smartphone with a web camera, iPad, or similar device. A 2nd camera on your primary computer will NOT work for this purpose! This camera must be positioned in such a way to allow the VE team to see the examinee’s hands, workspace, work (on scratch paper and/or calculator), and the computer monitor that is being used to display the examination. See the image here for an example of ideal camera placement.
4) A current installation of Zoom. We will not accept other video conferencing applications.
5) A quiet room to complete the exam, free from distractions or interruptions. The Examinee MUST be the only person in the room during the exam. No one is permitted to enter the room while the examination is in progress.
6) You may use a simple calculator (handheld or on your computer desktop).
7) You may use 1 sheet of scratch paper.
Important Information on Fully Remote Testing
Before scheduling an examination session, we want to make sure the applicant understands and is capable to actually configure their camera to meet our specifications. The applicant MUST have a minimum of two cameras. One must allow their head, face and shoulders to be in plain sight and the second must be viewing their work area, the screen/monitor displaying the examination, and their hands.
If we are not satisfied with the configuration on exam day, or if unable to configure two cameras to meet our requirements, we will instruct the applicant to find an eligible proctor. Applicants have the option to request a proctored examination when they apply. More information on our proctor requirements is below under “Option 2”.
Process Overview on Fully Remote Testing
1) Examinee must be at a table/desk with their computer. Only one display/monitor can be connected during the examination.
2) The Examinee must be alone in the room for the duration of the examination.
3) The Examinee may not leave the room until their examination is complete.
4) Once connected to the video conference, the Examinee will be asked to swing their second camera around the entire room (360 degrees), show the floor in the vicinity of their testing area, and show the ceiling above the examination area. This will be done before moving forward.
5) The Examinee will be asked to present valid U.S. government-issued photo identification (may be issued by the U.S. federal government, state, territory, recognized tribal entity, etc.) or an International Passport issued by any country so long as it is written in English.
6) The Examinee will be given a URL on exam day to access the exam platform online.
7) The Examinee may not wear a smartwatch or headphones during the session.
8) If the Examinee is using a calculator, they must clear the memory and show the VE team the keystrokes on camera. The VE team must be satisfied this requirement has been met or the calculator may not be used.
9) The Examinee may use a sheet of scratch paper during the exam. It must be presented to the VE team prior to the examination (both sides)
10) During the examination, both cameras must clearly show the Examinee’s head and shoulders, monitor/laptop screen, work area, hands, keyboard and mouse at all times.
11) Just before the examination starts, the VE team will instruct the examinee to remain in full view of both cameras for the duration of the examination. The examination can not be voluntarily stopped and restarted.
12) The VE team will ensure the Examinee understands if they are found to be looking around at another part of their room and away from their workspace, the examination will be immediately terminated and rendered void.
Option 2 (ONLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT USE OPTION 1) – Remote Testing with an approved Proctor
Hardware and Technology Requirements – Proctored Examinations
EXAMINEES need a computer with an internet connection, web browser, web camera, and microphone (laptops are best). No ipads, tablets, or smartphones. You must be prepared to receive an e-mail at test time. You may use a simple calculator, but NOT the calculator on your telephone or computer. You may use 1 sheet of scratch paper. You take your examination on our computer-based testing platform you access with web browser. The testing platform ALSO captures video and audio of you, the examinee, for the entire session. You are watched “live” by our VE team; however, the video/audio component is also recorded and is part of the testing record.
PROCTORS need a telephone with speaker capability. Cellular telephones are best because it’s typically pretty easy to turn the “speaker” on and off.
COVID-19 Safety – Proctored Examinations
We know that many communities have “hunker down orders” or other restrictions in place relative to gatherings of various sorts. We ask that you abide by these restrictions when it comes to participating in an amateur radio examination session that requires a proctor. Do not violate the orders that are in place for your local area! If we need to reschedule or cancel your examination session, we can and will. We must rely on you for this information.
Important Note on Proctors
While individuals not holding amateur radio licenses may be proctors, individuals with a Novice or Technician amateur class amateur radio license are NOT eligible to be proctors. If the potential proctor holds a General, Advanced or Amateur Extra class license, they can be proctors, but need to provide us with a signed copy of their OFFICIAL license. This can be attached to the electronic proctor application. Submitting a CSCE proving your class of license will NOT be accepted! Please know that we do check the Universal Licensing System to see if a proctor applicant is also a licensed amateur.
Eligible Individuals to serve as a Proctor
- Primary or Secondary Education Teachers
- College or University Faculty or Adjunct Faculty
- Sworn Law Enforcement Officers (Federal, State, or Local)
- Fireman and emergency response personnel (personnel who respond to emergency situations, typically dispatched from a fire station…those who ride in fire trucks, ambulances, and similar response equipment)
- Judges or Magistrates
- Active Duty, Active Reserve, or Active National Guard Military Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs (E7 – E9) (Retirees and inactive reserve are not authorized)
- Civilian federal employees in the grade of GS-7 or above
- Elected government officials such as mayors, city council members, city assembly members, senators, congressmen, etc.
- State, municipal, city, borough, township, or other similar government subdivision employees in a management or supervisory position.
- An amateur Extra, Advanced*, or General Class** license holders. They must provide us with a signed copy of their OFFICIAL license.
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- Note * – May only proctor for Technician and General Class license examinations
- Note ** – May only proctor for Technician Class license examinations
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Further, proctors MAY NOT proctor examinations for his or her spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Cost to take your exam
An examination administration fee must be paid to sit for an examination. The fee changes from time to time, but typically ranges from $10 to $15. You may take multiple examinations at your scheduled session as the fee is a “session” fee (go “zero” to “hero” by passing all three exams!). This fee is paid online via credit card or PayPal to the Anchorage ARC.
If you pass your examination you will then be required to pay a $35 FCC license application fee. This $35 fee is paid directly to the FCC. Check this page to learn more about the FCC fee.
NOTE: If you are a “no show” for an exam, whether in-person or remote, your fee is “expended”. If you wish to schedule for another exam session, you will indeed need to pay. Exceptions can be made under severe circumstances. If you know you won’t make it to a session, you must make contact with us to “reschedule”. The easy way to do this is to visit our rescheduling page (click here to reschedule)
Can you take more than one exam?
Yes, you may take all 3 license exams (Technician, General, and Extra) at any one sitting. However, we ask that you be prepared…..that means you will have taken plenty of practice exams and are pretty certain you will indeed pass. Don’t ask to take an additional exam if you haven’t done so. Our experience is that you will have wasted your time as well as our volunteer examiners’ time. You should inform our team at exam time, but before you take the first exam of your intentions to be sure that all of the volunteer examiners are able to be present for an extended session.
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NOTE: There are no refunds for remote examinations. NO EXCEPTIONS
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Be prepared to do the following 3 things:
1. Register for the exam on our examination platform
2. Pay for your session seat
3. Complete an Examination Agreement Form
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