General Information

MMARC VE Exam Applicant Information

Exam dates are posted here, check periodically for changes or cancellations

Important: 

• • Pre-registration speeds up the process and ensures an exam session will be conducted.  Walk ins are accepted, however, exam sessions are cancelled if no one pre-registers.

  • Please follow local rules about wearing masks

  • If you do not feel well, have any sickness symptoms, were with someone found to have COVID, or are waiting for the results of a COVID test, do not come to the exam session

  • You must have an email address and a mailing address

  • Bring your FRN with you to the exam session if you have not pre-registered.  If you have difficulty obtaining it, a VE may be able to help you at the exam session.

  • Bring a government-issued photo ID with you to the exam session

  • If you are applying for exam credit, bring a copy of your proof with you to leave with the VE team

More info on these items is provided below:

• • Exam Dates, Time, and Place

  • Exams Available

  • Pre-registration and walk in information

  • FCC Registration Number (FRN)

  • FCC processing fees, exams are free

  • LARC-VEC Form 605

  • License Renewals for Individuals

  • Name and Mailing Address Changes

  • Paper Licenses

  • Do you have any actions pending with the FCC?

  • What To Bring To Your MMARC Exam Session

  • What To Expect At A MMARC Exam Session

  • Laurel VEC Web Site

  • License Exam Session Search

Exam Dates and Times

Exams are given by the Laurel VEC MMARC VE Team on 1st Tuesdays, except we skip Jan, Jul, and Sep due to holidays.  Check here for scheduled dates and changes.  Exams are given in the hall at the American Legion Post 175 in Severna Park.  An additional exam session may be conducted at the annual MMARC hamfest.  See the MMARC web site for hamfest information.

Exam location:

American Legion Post 175

832 Manhattan Beach Rd

Severna Park, MD 21146

1st Tuesday exams begin approximately 6:00 PM depending on how many applicants there are to check in, after registration has been completed.  Please arrive between 5:45 - 6:00 PM if possible and not later than 6:30.

Exam sessions are sometimes conducted at the MMARC hamfest: See the MMARC web site for the specific location, date, and other information.

Pre-Registration and Walk Ins

Pre-registration is appreciated, will expedite the registration process, and ensure that an exam session will be held.  Exam sessions are held only if at least one person has pre-registered, and then walk in applicants will be accepted.  Walk in applicants take a risk that they might arrive at a cancelled exam session if no one pre-registered.  Pre-registration is done by emailing the information listed here to Team Leader Mike KA2JAI at ka2jai@arrl.net.  Pre-registration must be emailed by 4 PM on exam days, and you must receive an emailed acknowledgement that you have been registered, to ensure an exam session will be conducted.

Exams Available

All 3 exams are available at all exam sessions: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra.  Applicants may take any exam(s) they have prepared for, in any order.  A lower license class exam does not have to be passed in order to take a higher license class exam.  For example, the Technician Class exam does not have to be passed to take the General Class exam.  But, both would have to be passed to be eligible for a General Class license.

Exams are closed book.  No books, notes, or other materials are allowed on the exam tables.

Applicants who are not successful may be allowed, at the discretion of the VEs, to retest at the same session if they were very close to passing, and there is time for another exam.  Many applicants have found it helpful to take any of the on-line exams that are available, more than once, to determine whether they were ready to take their license exam.

FCC Registration Number (FRN)

The FCC requires you to use a Federal Registration Number (FRN).  The FRN is a unique number the FCC uses to identify you. Your Social Security number is required by the FCC when you obtain an FRN, but the FRN is used after that for your transactions with the FCC.

An FRN can be obtained here.  It is highly recommended that you get an FRN ahead of time as this speeds up the process at the exam session.   If you need assistance obtaining an FRN, a VE may be able to help you at your exam session, time permitting, and you will need access to your email at the session.

At an exam session, you can show your FRN on a printout from the FCC CORES system, or display it on your phone or other device.  If you currently have an Amateur Radio license your FRN will appear on your license, in the FCC ULS database, and in the FCC CORES database.  FRNs are not just used for amateur radio licenses.  You might already have an FRN if you have a GMRS license or had some other transaction with the FCC.  You do not need to bring your FRN to an exam session if you already provided it with your pre-registration.

FCC CORES Registration Tutorial Video using the CORES system.

FEES

The MMARC Volunteer Examiner Team is sponsored by the Laurel VEC.  We administer free amateur radio license exams.

You will have to pay an FCC processing fee for certain applications.  This is the MMARC VE team’s best understanding of the FCC processing fees, which began Apr 19 2022:

• The basic Part 97 rules have not changed as a result of instituting FCC processing fees.  The only new thing effective Apr 19 2022 is the requirement to pay fees for certain FCC processing actions.

• Applications will be dismissed after 10 calendar days from the time a file number is assigned if payment is not made.

• The CSCE is still good for use as proof of element credit for 365 days, even if an application is dismissed.

• Separate from the CSCE’s 365-day term is the window of time for the privilege of operating at a higher class, by the passing of an upgrade exam and issuance of a CSCE, but before the upgrade is granted by the FCC.  That privilege, with the use of /KT, /AG, or /AE, is in effect until the CSCES’s 365 days are over, or the disposition of the application, whichever comes first.  A dismissed application is considered to be disposition.

• Exam fees and FCC processing fees are two different things.  Laurel VEC exams are still free.

• FCC processing for new licenses, renewals, or vanity call sign applications are subject to FCC processing fees.

• The FCC does not charge processing fees for license upgrades.

• The FCC fee is charged per application.  When one or more items being processed on a single application are subject to the FCC processing fee, a single $35 FCC processing fee is paid for that application.

• Payments must be received within 10 calendar days of FCC issuance of a file number.  Applicants will receive emails from the FCC and the Laurel VEC with their file numbers and payment information.

• Payment is done in CORES or by mail.

• Payment is not made to the VE teams.

• There are no FCC fee refunds.

• The MMARC VE team strives to keep informed on FCC rules and requirements, and provide the best service we can.  We are proud of our record and rarely make errors that could result in additional FCC fees.  However, we are a volunteer organization that charges no fees to take our exams and has no income.  We cannot be financially responsible for fees that result from any VEC, VE, or VE team errors.

LARC-VEC Form 605

We will computer-generate LARC-VEC Form 605 for you at most MMARC exam sessions even if you bring a filled out one with you.  You must use the LARC-VEC Form 605 version of the form at an MMARC exam session.

License Renewals for Individuals

The LARC-VEC Form 605 can be used at exam sessions for individuals to apply for license renewals.  We will computer-generate LARC-VEC Form 605 for you at most MMARC exam sessions even if you bring a filled out one with you.  A government-issued photo ID is required.   Licenses can only be renewed during the 90-day period prior to the license expiration date, or within the 2-year grace period following the expiration date.  If your license is within the 2-year grace period, you may not transmit on the air until your license has been renewed.  We cannot issue or renew club call signs.  We cannot issue vanity call signs.

Name and Mailing Address Changes

Name and mailing address changes from what is currently in the ULS require proof.  Examples of acceptable proof are any document that indicates your new address such as a driver’s license or library card, or that indicates you receive mail at the new address such as a tax bill, electric bill, water bill, etc.  Please contact Mike at ka2jai@arrl.net before coming to an exam session if you have any questions about name or address changes.

Paper Licenses

The FCC no longer mails paper licenses.  You can print one yourself from your ULS record if you wish.  Note that the FCC considers the ULS electronic record to be the official record of your license.

Do you have any actions pending with the FCC?

If you do, let the VE team know when you check in at your exam session or when you pre-register. You should as soon as possible provide the FCC with any necessary follow up information or an FCC processing fee resulting from your exam session.  Except for that, it is recommended that you do not conduct any other amateur radio-related transactions with the FCC until your exam results and all other pending actions have been processed, and you have the results from the FCC.

What To Bring To Your MMARC Exam Session

1. A government-issued photo ID.  Youth applicants who do not have a government-issued photo ID may use other forms of ID including a school ID, library card, or report card.

2. The FCC requires a mailing address and an email address.  A phone number expedites processing your exam results if the VE team needs to contact you with questions.

3. It is highly recommended that you obtain your FRN before coming to the exam session.  It’s best to bring a printout from the FCC CORES web site, or be able to display your FRN on your phone or other device.  You do not need to bring your FRN to an exam session if you already provided it with your pre-registration.

4. If you are applying for exam credit, bring your proof with you.  A copy must be left with the VE team.  

   1. Acceptable forms of proof are listed here.  Exam credit can be pre-reviewed to verify it is acceptable by scanning and emailing the information to Mike at ka2jai@arrl.net prior to the exam session if you wish.  

   2. An original, unaltered CSCE issued at a previous exam session may be used if your current license class is not showing in the FCC ULS database yet.  CSCEs will not be accepted with changes of any kind, including crossed out text and handwritten additions, or the use of white correction fluid.

   3. You will be allowed to take your exam if your previous results have not been processed, but it might not be possible to process your new results until all pending actions have been completed by the FCC.  Once any pending issues with the FCC are resolved, the results from exams taken with the MMARC VE team and other Laurel VEC teams are usually processed within a few business days.

5. Optional:

   1. Calculators will be available to borrow at the exam session.  You may bring your own calculator to use as long as nothing is programmed in it or stored in its memories.  You may not use the calculator in a smartphone or cell phone.  Cell phones, devices that can be connected to the internet, any other electronic devices, or devices that make noise must be turned off and out of sight during your exam.

   2. Pens and pencils are provided at the exam session.  Forms are filled out in ink or printed using a computer.  Signatures must be in ink.  Exams may be taken in pencil, and clean, complete erasures are permitted if you need to change an answer.

Applicants passing their Technician Class exam at an MMARC VE exam session receive a one-year free MMARC club membership!  Look for David WB3IGW or ask any VE about it at an exam session.

What To Expect At A MMARC VE Exam Session

Laurel VEC Web Site

Are 1st Tuesdays not good for you?  You can search for other license exam sessions on the Laurel or ARRL web sites.

If you have any questions, send an email to Mike at ka2jai@arrl.net.