What to bring to an exam session
You need to bring:
1. IDENTIFICATION
Age 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.
Under theAge 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.
If your license has been expired for a period of more than 2 years and one day from its printed expiration date, it cannot be renewed. You must use the relicensing procedure to again become a licensed amateur radio operator. If, however, your license is still within the 2 years and one day “window” following expiration, you may simply renew that license and continue. You do not need to take any exams.
2. If you are at the exam session to become re-licensed after a long absence from amateur radio (license has been expired for more than 2 years), please bring proof of having been previously licensed.
Acceptable forms of proof:
A. An original FCC issued amateur radio license showing your name, address, call sign, and license class
B. A copy of a page from an older amateur radio call book showing your name, address, call sign, and license class (see note, below)
C. A letter from the FCC verifying that you were previously licensed, showing your name, address, call sign, and license class
D. A letter from a VEC certifying that you had passed the exams for a license of a particular class, also showing your name and address
If you do not have one of the “proofs” listed above, we will try to assist you in finding acceptable proof. Note: Success is not guaranteed.
Note: Not all call book publications list the license class. In some cases, we can determine this by the call sign, but this is not always true. In such cases, we may be unable to give credit for all claimed elements, but we may be able to give credit for some. Each case will be different, so please check with our VEC Chairman for more information.
Finally, note that all applicants for relicensing will need to take (and pass) the Technician exam before proceeding with any upgrades. Applicants will receive a new license, and a new call sign.
See the relicensing page for additional information. click here to go the the relicensing page.
3. You may bring a calculator to work numeric problems. You must be able to show the examiners that all of the calculator’s memories have been cleared (erased) prior to using it during the exam. Slide rules are also acceptable so long as they do not have printed electronic formulas on them.
4. Since all of our examinations administered via our web-based examination platform, you’ll be taking your examination on a computer. Some examination teams have their own computers for you to use. Some teams will ask you to bring your own laptop computer that is capable of connecting to a wifi network. Check with your Session Manager in this regard.
5. All reference books, study guides, etc., must be closed and must remain closed during the exam session.
6. A copy of your testing session fee receipt with its unique receipt number. You will not be permitted to sit for any examinations unless the required fee is paid. Fees must be paid for on this website via PayPal or Credit Card. Volunteer Examiners are not permitted to accept direct cash or check payments to allow you to test. However, if a smartphone or computer is available on site, you are free to pay for the session real-time on-premises through the site. Here is a link to the web store where you can select and make payment for the appropriate session (be sure to pick the correct location and date). Click here to go to our web store.
We will have any necessary pens, pencils, scratch paper, blank forms, and other items that may be needed.