Testing Comes Next

Now that you have studied and are ready for license exams there are several mandatory actions to complete before the test session. These actions should also be accomplished before starting classroom training that includes a test session on completion.

All in-person exam sessions are conducted by volunteers working under the direction of the FCC and a Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC). Three ham volunteer examiners (VEs) will proctor the exam and certify compliance with test rules.

In the CSRA in-person testing is conducted in Aiken and Augusta:

NABRC sponsors WCARS VEC in-person testing in Aiken the second Thursday of odd months, check the our calendar for the next session, time to study.
Testing starts at 7:00pm at the Aiken Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1714 Columbia Hwy N, Aiken, SC 29801, USA

Fee for testing is $10
Walk-ins are welcome but it is better to contact Glen Morton, W4FPE and indicate your interest even if uncertain.
[email protected]

CSRA Ham Exams Volunteer Examiner (VE) Team conducts in-person testing in Augusta on the second Saturday of every month
Testing starts at 9:00am   at POB1  1305 Interstate Parkway  Augusta GA  30909

Fee for testing is $15 payable by cash or check.
However, those taking exams must register prior to the exam session.
https://www.csrahamexams.com

ARRL may cover the one-time $35 FCC application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. Ask the VEC at your test site. Visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage for more information and for the reimbursement instructions.

MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM
Examinees are required by the FCC to submit their FCC Registration Number (FRN) with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in ALL license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration page and the FCC’s Registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also MANDATORY on the application form to receive FCC correspondence, including the official copy of your Amateur Radio license (see After the Exam below). This email address address will also be used to communicate instructions for payment of the $35 license fee. You will have 10 days to submit payment. You do not need to wait for an email from the FCC to make the payment. You can login into CORES and check for an application that needs to be paid.

**Important** The FCC has put out a notice that the CORES site is not compatible with phones or tablets.   This means applicants need to use a desktop to pay their application fee.

MANDATORY TO BRING TO THE EXAM

One legal photo ID (identification):
a. State Driver’s License
b. Government issued Passport
c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
d. Student School Photo ID card
e. State Photo ID card

If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. Social security card
d. Employer’s wage statement or Minor’s work permit
e. School ID card
f. School or Public Library card
g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 605.

Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise two non-photo IDs are required.

Applicants under 18 years of age may be eligible for reimbursement of the $35 license fee. Ask the VEC of the test session. More information can be found at the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage.

If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database. Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the following sources: the official license or reference license printed from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. The candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team. Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned..

Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions.

Optionally, a calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones’ calculator function may not be used. iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones devices and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used.

Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee(s).

Finally as a result of obtaining a ham radio license some information about you will be made publicly available on the FCC’s website (FCC Licensee Privacy) including any felony convictions. All applicants must answer the Basic Qualification Question (felony conviction status question) on the 605 Form at the exam session. Applicants that answer “YES” for the question must follow theseFCC procedures: FCC qualification question instructions

AFTER THE EXAM

Since 2015, the FCC no longer mails paper license authorizations.  Once the FCC grants the application, the applicant will receive an email with the subject “FCC Application Grant OR Official FCC License” from the FCC ([email protected]) within 24 hours of the grant date with a link to print the new license.  If the applicant does not receive it in their inbox, they should check their spam box.  Unfortunately, the FCC email can not be regenerated and resent and the link to download the new license is only good for 30 days.

If you would like a nice multicolor copy of your license Dean Gibson, AE7Q has created a program that down loads the information from the FCC and creates a license copy suitable for printing. The link is here.