Getting your FCC license is a fairly straightforward process. There are a few hoops to jump through, but the biggest asset is your brain. Once licensed, it is good for 10 years and you do not have to re-test for renewal as long as you do not let it lapse (there is some other fine print, but that’s the jist). Fees do apply along the whole process, so plan to spend about $100 on study materials and the licensing exam process.
One of the great things about the FCC licensing system is that the exam materials are published publicly. There are various ways to absorb the material. With that said, the material changes every 4 years, so you need to make sure you have the correct materials.
First off, lets get some acronyms and vocabulary out of the way:
ARRL is the Amateur Radio Relay League. They are effectively the non-governmental sanctioning body over Amateur Radio. You could also say it’s kind of like a worker’s union – they make things happen as a whole on behalf of millions of members. They are also one of the organizations whose representatives proctor the licensing examinations.
https://ww.arrl.org
W5YI is one of the organizations whose representatives proctor the licensing examinations. They are typically used in our region because they are based in Plano.
https://www.w5yi-vec.org/
FRN is FCC Registration Number. Fundamentally, it is your unique identification number for tracking through their systems. It does not change (kind of like a Social Security Number).
ULS is the Universal Licensing System. This is the FCC’s database of users, towers, stations, etc.
Band Plan is the overall view of the RF spectrum and how certain groups of frequencies and privileges are given for each license level.
QRZ is the Amateur Radio “Social Media Network” per se. It is also a special “Q-Code” for “Who is calling me?“
Organizing what you need for the exam
Before taking the Licensing Exams, you must obtain an FRN:
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration
Once you have your FRN, you are officially in the FCC database – but without a callsign or license.
Privilege / Licensure Levels
The FCC currently has three levels of licensure. Each level’s exam is more difficult than the previous, and as such demonstrates higher levels of knowledge and thus gives more privileges.
The Technician license is currently the lowest level of licensure. The Question Pool is currently just over 400 questions. The exam itself takes a random 35 of those questions and you must get at least 26 correct (74+%) to pass the exam.
The General license is currently the middle level of licensure. The Question Pool is currently just over 425 questions. The exam itself takes a random 35 of those questions and you must get at least 26 correct (74+%) to pass the exam.
The Extra license is currently the highest attainable license. The Question Pool is currently just over 600 questions. The exam itself takes a random 50 of those questions and you must get at least 37 correct (74+%) to pass the exam.
Learning the Materials
One of the great things about the FCC licensing system is that the exam materials are published publicly. There are various ways to absorb the material. With that said, the material changes every 4 years, so you need to make sure you have the correct materials.
As per the ARRL:
TECHNICIAN Class (Element 2) Pool is effective July 1, 2022 and is valid until June 30, 2026.
GENERAL Class (Element 3) Pool is effective July 1, 2023 and is valid until June 30, 2027.
EXTRA Class (Element 4) Pool is effective July 1, 2020 and is ONLY valid until June 30, 2024.
(1) You can run through the practice tests brute-force style and memorize the answers. You may or may not understand how the information is pertinent, but you’ll have the answers memorized
(2) You can order the Study Guide and read your way through the material and the background concepts behind it
(3) You can go to a local Licensing Class and sit through an in-person lecture and learn the material and be tested on it the same day (typically, some may be broken across 2 days). Classes are typically hosted once or twice a year by select Amateur Radio clubs.
Taking the Exam
Once you are comfortable with the material, it’s time to look into taking the exam.
Look over the ARRL “What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session” document
Some local clubs have dedicated exam days, some offer exam periods before their monthly meeting, and some require scheduling a session ahead of time. Some clubs may not offer testing at all.
For the exam itself, you do not get any reference materials. It’s just you, yourself, and your brain.
One of the perks of the testing structure is that you are paying for the proctors time. This means you have unlimited re-takes during the exam session. So if you miss 1 too many questions, re-take it. You’ll get a different random bath of questions and maybe you’ll have enough knowledge to pass that group. Additionally, once you pass the Technician exam, you can immediately take the General exam during the same session.
After the Exam
Once you have unofficially passed the exam, the proctors will send the exam paperwork to either the ARRL or W5YI for official processing. Once they establish you have passed the exam, they relay the paperwork to the FCC to update the details of your FRN within the ULS. This is when a callsign will be randomly assigned to you.