Get your amateur radio license
No Morse code. No age limit. About $15 and an afternoon of study.
Five steps to your callsign
Get an FCC FRN
Register for a free FRN (FCC Registration Number) in the FCC CORES system before your exam. You will need it on exam day, and the FCC will not issue a license without it.
Register with the FCCStudy for the Technician exam
The entry-level exam is 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from a published pool. Most people pass after a few evenings of study. HamStudy.org and the ARRL license manual are the two most popular routes.
Study free on HamStudyFind an exam session
Volunteer Examiner teams run sessions in person all over the country and online by video. Sessions typically cost about $15, plus a $35 FCC application fee for a new license.
Find a session near youPass and wait for your callsign
You need 26 of 35 correct. Your team files the results electronically and your callsign usually appears in the FCC database within a few business days. You may not transmit until it does.
Get on the air
Join a club, find a local net and make your first contact. Our guide for new operators covers the first radio, the first call and the etiquette nobody writes down.
Read the new operator guide
Three classes, increasing privileges
| Class | Exam | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Technician | 35 questions | All amateur privileges above 30 MHz - repeaters, VHF/UHF, satellites, digital modes and some HF privileges on 10 metres and CW on parts of 80, 40 and 15 metres. |
| General | 35 questions | Most HF privileges, which means worldwide voice and digital contacts. This is the class most operators settle at. |
| Amateur Extra | 50 questions | Every US amateur privilege, including the exclusive segments of the HF bands most valued by contesters and DXers. |
Each class requires passing the exams below it, but you may take all three in a single session if you are ready.
Common questions
Do I need to learn Morse code?
No. The United States dropped the Morse code requirement for all license classes in 2007. Plenty of operators still learn CW because they enjoy it - and if you are under 20 and reach 20 WPM, you can apply for our Alfred Vail 20-20 Young Keyers Award.
Is there a minimum age?
No. There is no minimum or maximum age. Licensed operators in the US include children in elementary school and people in their nineties.
What does it cost?
Study material can be free. Exam sessions are usually about $15, and the FCC charges a $35 application fee for a new license. The license lasts ten years and renews at no charge.
Can I test online?
Yes. Several VE teams run remotely proctored exams by video. HamStudy’s session finder lists both in-person and online sessions.
Do I need to buy a radio first?
No, and we suggest you do not. Get licensed, visit a club, and try other people’s equipment before spending money.