06/01/2026
The current Technician exam question pool expires this month. As such, our next amateur radio exam is scheduled for Wednesday, 24 June, 2026, at 7pm in the LARC Clubhouse.
It is required, if you haven't already, to register on the FCC website and obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) and use that on all of your exam paperwork instead of your Social Security Number. If you are upgrading, look on your license for this number. If unlicensed, visit here --> https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do and click the "Register" button to get started. If you already have an FRN from a different FCC license, use that for the Amateur Radio exam, too, as it applies to ALL of your FCC licenses.
Not required, but helpful, is to bring a pre-filled NCVEC Form 605 with you, look here -->http://www.ncvec.org/downloads/NCVEC_Form_605_2022.pdf You are to fill in Section 1 first (including your FRN), then print the form, sign it and bring it with you to the exam session.
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What else to bring:
1. A legal photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification among these:
a. Non-photo ID (some states may still have them)
b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. Social security card
d. School or Public Library card
e. 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 will appear on NCVEC 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. ARRL will cover the one-time FCC application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. Candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam. Visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage for more information and for the reimbursement instructions. You visit this site by following this link --> https://www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program
Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the room by an adult during the test and be present in the room.
2. Your FCC-issued Federal Registration Number (FRN); again, only an FRN will be accepted on NCVEC form 605 (see above) and exam materials.
3. If applicable, bring a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio license, or, in the event of a recent license grant or upgrade, photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may be holding from previous exam sessions. If your license grant has already been issued by FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed, only a printed and signed copy of your license. Make sure that the photocopy of your license includes your signature. Please be aware that the photocopy(s) will not be returned. If you have only original documents, we should have a photocopy machine available in the clubhouse.
4. Two number-two pencils with erasers and a blue- or black-ink pen.
5. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You will be asked to clear your desk of any written notes or calculations before the exam starts. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free of notes and formulas. Cell phones must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones' calculator function may NOT be used. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, Blackberry & smartphone devices (and all similar web-capable electronic devices) with calculator capability, CANNOT be used.
6. Bring a check or a money order (payable to: ARRL VEC) or cash (exact change is helpful and appreciated) to cover the exam session fee.
The ARRL VEC's exam fee is $15.00 for the initial attempt and each re-take attempt after a failure to pass an exam. There is an FCC application fee of $35 for new license applications but not for current license upgrades or clerical (address, email, etc.) changes. More information will be given after you pass your exam, if applicable to your circumstance.
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As always, if you have any questions or concerns about the exam sessions, procedures (such as recovering expired Amateur Radio privileges, etc.) or regarding Amateur Radio in-general, please feel free to reach out to me.
73, take care & may God bless,
-John, W2JM
