JEFFERSON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC.

W5GAD

Get Your Amateur Radio License

1. Start studying for your new Technician or Operator Class License upgrade at HamStudy.org that offers Guides and Practice tests. This is a great place to begin, but there are also other free websites with different learning approaches. We recommend first going through all the questions using the “Study Guide” mode, before you try the “Practice” Tests. Once you are getting over 90% correct on the practice tests, you are ready.
   
2. Register for a FCC Registration Number (FRN) if you don’t already have an Amateur Radio license on file with the FCC. If you need a FRN you can get one while you are studying for your test by clicking here. To establish a Username account at FCC (CORES), click the “Register” link button under “Need a Username?”.
   
3. You must Pre-register for your test when you are ready by clicking here. This brings you to the available scheduled tests at the Jefferson Amateur Radio Club (JARC).

Additional Requirements Information

1. Beginning January 1, 2025, the exam testing fee for your first attempt per scheduled session date is Free. If you fail and want to retake an exam during the same scheduled session date, it’s $5.00 (cash) per attempt. Once you pass, there’s no additional fee to move on to the next exam in the Amateur Radio Operator license series that same session date only if you continue to pass.
2. There is a $35 FCC license fee payable directly to the FCC for the grant of a New Amateur Radio Operator license after you have passed the exam(s). There’s no additional FCC fee for candidates who take and pass an exam to upgrade their current Operator license class.
3. You may need to bring two items of ID!  One must be a Photo ID (State, Military, Passport, or other Governmental ID). Candidates who are upgrading will also need to bring a copy of their current Amateur Radio Operator license. If you recently passed an exam and were given a valid Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) form provided by a Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC) organization, you need to wait until the FCC has processed and posted your new license information to your FRN before taking any future exam.
4. Minors under 17 may also provide proof with other forms of ID (School Photo ID, Report card, Library card, Birth Certificate) for identification or a Parent/Guardian can accompany the minor to the exam session.
5. All candidates including minors must have their own personal Email address to register for a FCC FRN and exam.
6. All tests are now given on computer so you must bring your own fully charged Laptop, iPad or Tablet with a 8” or larger screen size. We do have a few Tablets available on a first requested basis.
7. Basic function calculators are permissible, but no smart calculators or smartphones are allowed.