Get a US Amateur Radio License

To get an amateur radio (ham radio) license grant:

• • Decide on class of license. Entry license: Technician Class. Intermediate license: General Class. Expert license: Extra Class. 

  • Each license class requires an individual test.

  • Download the question pool with answers for class of license you desire from http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=338

  • Download a free study guide from http://www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual/

  • Study question pool and study guide while taking sample exams at https://hamexam.org/ or http://aa9pw.com/. Take sample exams until you pass 10 times in a row.

  • get an FCC Registration Number: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration

  • Find a test location at http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search. Put zipcode in blank and search. Note that Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) exams are free and your license grant will appear in the FCC database rapidly because they DARA uses Laurel VEC ( https://www.laurelvec.com/ ). Laurel VEC is authorized to submit directly into the FCC database. Otherwise pay the fee to ARRL and possibly have a longer wait.

  • Get notification of your FCC license grant at http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp (Search by Name)

  • Join WCARA so that members can help you get started in ham radio right away. 

  • Email WCARA after license grant: See the Contact Information category on the left to find email addresses for WCARA. We will respond and help get you started.