Exam Day

Exam sessions are conducted by volunteers working under the direction of the FCC. There will likely be a $15 charge for taking the exam.

What to Bring:

1. A legal photo ID (driver’s license, passport)

2. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:

   1. non-photo ID/driver's license (some states still have them)

   2. birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)

   3. social security card

   4. library card

   5. 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.

3. Students/minors may bring any of the above items and/or a school ID, minor's work permit, report card, or a legal guardian may present a photo ID.

4. Social Security Number (SSN) or your FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN); VEC’s are required by the FCC to submit either your SSN or your FRN number with your license application form. If you prefer not to give your SSN at the exam session, then you may register your SSN with the FCC before exam day. Once you have a FCC issued FRN, you may no longer use your SSN on the application. For instructions on how to register your SSN with the FCC and receive a FRN, visit the FCC's FAQ page and the FCC's registration instructions page. Please note that some exam teams will only accept a valid FRN on your application.Check with your local exam team before exam day.

5. If applicable, bring either a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio license or a reference copy printed out from the FCC website, the license information printed from ARRL website or QRZ website, or the original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The photocopy(s) will not be returned. Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on our Obtain License Copy web page.

6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen.

7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used.

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

Additional Resources

Below are some resources to help you prepare for the course and the test that were taken from the ARRL website.

From the ARRL Website

Many in the ham radio community develop resources to help others study for their license. We also share links to other online resources we think will help you understand concepts that are important to your preparation for a ham radio license.

You'll also find references to resources that will help you get started once you get your license!

Free Study Guides

• • Dan Romanchik, KB6NU offers a study guide for Technician license preparation.

  • Jack Tiley, AD7FO also offers a study guide for Technician license preparation on the Inland Empire VHF Radio Club website. Click on "Training Links" and go to the Technician training link.

Online Video/Audio Course

• • An online Technician license exam self-study course is offered by Fred Benson NC4FB. The purpose of the resources developed for this course is to provide candidates in geographical areas that do not provide classes and candidates who cannot attend a class with the means to prepare for the Technician license exam. The materials cover all questions in the question pool with explanations, subelement tests, and sample license exams. Help is available upon request via Email.

  • Benson also offers a "kid friendly" self-study course and a self-study program especially designed for emergency services personnel.

  • Andy Vallenga, KE4GKP, "The Ham Whisperer" offers a video course based on the FCC question pool sequence to assist with Technician license preparation.

  • Dave Casler, KE0OG provides a guided self-study video course based on ARRL's Ham Radio License Manual curriculum.

  • Chris Johnson, N1IR, offers an online Technician license preparation course, supported by webinars.

Math Tutorials

• • A Helpful Discussion about Power and Decibels

  • Converting Units of Measurement

  • Tutorial on Scientific Notation

  • The Metric System

  • Tutorials on Math for License Exams

  • Algebra/Trigonometry/Geometry "Cheat Sheets" and downloadable graph paper

Please let us know if you have any questions.