Frequently Asked Questions

This page last updated:  02/22/2008

1.  How much does it cost to take an amateur license exam? 

All exam sessions conducted by Laurel VEC-sponsored VE Teams are free.

2.  What materials should I use to prepare for the exam? 

There are study materials available from several places.  Our very informal survey indicates that the materials produced by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) are the most popular because they provide easily understandable explanations of the material plus they provide additional non-testable but very useful information.  You can also use on-line practice exams to check your progress.  There are several site available but here are three that I like:

www.qrz.com  Written exams only

www.aa9pw.com  This site offers Morse code training and practice code exams in addition to the written exams.

3.  Why do I have to provide my social security number to get my ham license?

Congress passed a law to track down people who owe the government money.  That law requires anyone applying for or renewing any federally issued license to provide their social security number.  Once you have provided your SSN, the FCC will issue you a FCC Registration Number or FRN.  For all future business with the FCC you will use the FRN in lieu of your SSN.  You can apply for a FRN before you earn a license by visiting the secure FCC web site:  https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do

4.  Do I need to bring my own pencils, papers, etc?

No.  Everything you will need such as pencils and scratch paper will be provided.

5.  Can I use a calculator?

Yes.  We will provide a calculator for you to use.  However, if you bring your own calculator and it is a programmable calculator it must be un-programmed.  In other words, the memory must be cleared.

Note:  Because of the many different brands, models, etc, we can't keep up with the technology so we usually put them in our microwave on high for 30 seconds to clear the memory.  The memory gets cleared but unfortunately they don't seem to work very well after that. 

6.  What do I need to bring to the Exam session?

a.  A positive attitude and some patience.  The folks administering the exams are dedicated volunteers.  They will do their best to get you tested, your exam graded, inform you of the results, and if applicable, prepare and present to you a certificate stating you've earned a license or an upgrade as quickly as possible.

b.  For a first- ever license or getting back into the hobby after your license expired beyond the grace period.

(1)  Photo ID - No photo ID - NO EXAM

(2)  Social Security Number or FCC Registration Number (FRN)

(3)  Element credits (If applicable).  No original copy - NO EXAM

(a)  Original and a copy of your expired pre-21 March 1987 Technician license - You get credit for the Element 3 exam (General written).  

(b)  Original and a copy of a letter from the FCC confirming you previously held a specific class of license for which you will be given credit for the Element 3 exam. 

(c)  Original and a copy of an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicated which credit(s) you've earned.

c.  Upgrading your current, unexpired license.

(1)  Photo ID - No photo ID - NO EXAM

(2)  FCC Registration Number (FRN)

(3)  Your current original, unexpired license and a copy - No original copy - NO EXAM

(4)  Element credits (If applicable, one or more of the following):  No original copy - NO EXAM

(a)  Original and a copy of your expired pre-21 March 1987 Technician license - You get credit for the Element 3 exam (General written).

(b)  Original and a copy of a letter from the FCC confirming you previously held a specific class of license for which you will be given credit for the Element 3 exam.

(c)  Original and a copy of an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicated which credit(s) you've earned. 

7.  What will the test session be like?

The sessions will vary somewhat due to the teams and the facilities where the test is conducted.  Unfortunately, beer and pizza are not served and we will beat you with a stick if you fail. 

Seriously, all exam sessions everywhere will generally be be conducted as follows:

a.  Registration - Upon your arrival you must register or complete the registration process if you pre-registered.  The number and type of forms used for registration at other locations may vary slightly from this explanation. 

(1)  You will be given a folder with a number in the upper right corner - this is your Control Number (try to remember that number).  Inside the folder are two forms you need to complete.  When you have completed the forms (You will complete only part one of each form) return to the registrar.

(2)  You will be asked to provide a photo ID for review.  We need to ensure it is you taking taking the test. 

(3)  If you are taking an exam to upgrade an existing license, you must show the original version of your current, unexpired license and to provide a copy.  

(4)  If you have any other applicable documentation (e.g., current, unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE), FCC letter indicating grandfathered credit(s), etc) you must show the original version of that documentation and provide a copy of each. 

b.  Pre-exam instructions - You will probably be given some pre-exam instructions regarding the use of calculators, procedures for asking questions, rules for taking the exam, bathroom breaks during the exam, etc.

c.  The exam - The Technician and General exams are 35 multiple question exams and you must correctly answer 26 questions in order to pass (74.2%).  The Amateur Extra exam is 50 multiple choice questions and passing is 37 correct (74%). 

(1)  You will be given a test booklet that is "color coded" - the color of the folder indicates the class of the exam (Blue = Technician, Red = General and Purple = Amateur Extra).  On the front of the exam booklet in the upper right corner is the exam version number (e.g., T-RR-602A, T-RR-602F, G-RR-701D, G-RR-703B, E-RR-204J, etc.) which tells us which answer key to use to grade your exam. That information is also on the first page of the exam booklet.   Please DO NOT WRITE IN THE EXAM BOOKLET!

(2)  You will be given an answer sheet on which to mark your answers.  On the answer sheet you need to print and sign your name.  You must indicate which exam element you are taking (2 = Technician, 3 = General and
4 = Amateur Extra), the exam version (e.g., T-RR-602A, T-RR-602F, G-RR-701D, G-RR-703B, E-RR-204J, etc.) and your control number (e.g., 01, 03, 07, etc). 

(3)  Once you have completed the admin portion of the answer sheet you may open your exam booklet and begin the exam.   

(4)  When you are done, raise your hand and a VE will pick up your exam materials and your answer sheet will be graded.  Unless you're taking another exam element, please quietly return to the general seating area.

d.  Grading - Once you've completed your exam, it will be graded and you will be informed of the results.  If you pass you will receive a Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicating which element(s) you've passed and if appropriate, which license class you've earned.  If you didn't pass the exam, the VEs may, at their discretion, allow you to take a second exam.  We are not required to administer a second attempt for a failed exam element.

Note:  The VE team will strive to score your test, inform you of the results, and process your paperwork as quickly as possible.  The size of the test session and the number of VEs on-hand will be factors in how quickly this gets done.  Please be patient.  If there are any problems, please speak to the VE Team Leader who will try to resolve the problems and answer any questions.

8.  What's the hardest part of the test?

I have two answers to this question:

1.  Getting up the courage to come to the test session.  It must be hard because a huge majority always say something about having "...always wanted to get my license"

2.  My analysis of the Technician exam results since July 2006, whether they pass the exam or not, indicates the following:

T6C - Non-voice communications - image communications, data, CW, packet, PSK31, Morse code techniques, Q-signals.

9.  What happens if I fail the exam?

On the way to the test site you will pass a cemetery.  The last three people who failed their exam are living there now.  Just kidding!!

We are not required to re-test you if you fail.  However, what we will do is look at your test results.  If you missed passing by 1-3 questions and if the VEs think you have a chance of passing we will give you another test.  If you missed passing because you missed 4 or more questions then we will probably tell you to go home and study some more. 

Unfortunately we cannot tell you which questions you failed or which sub elements with which you had trouble.

Here's how people generally fare on the exam:

Exam  2000-2008
Pass Rate
  Average		  2007 Pass Rate
Average  
 Technician 79% 82%
 General 74% 69%
 Amateur Extra 65% 62%

10.  How soon after I pass can I start operating?

If this is your initial license, you can start operating as soon as the FCC issues you a license in their data base.  I upload the exam results to the FCC data base on the Monday following the exam session unless Monday is a Federal holiday in which case I will upload the results on Tuesday.  I get confirmation of your new license/call sign about 60-90 minutes later.  I will send you an e-mail to inform you of your new call sign and at that point you can start using your new license privileges.

If this is an upgrade you can start using your new privileges upon receipt of your CSCE although when using your new privileges, you will have to append your call sign to indicate your upgrade ("this is KA2JUQ Temporary Alpha Golf" (or Alpha Echo) on voice or "DE KA2JUQ/AG" (or /AE) when using CW/Digital depending on your upgrade).  I will send you an e-mail confirming your upgrade is posted in the FCC data base and at that point you can drop the use of the indicator.

Your paper license will arrive in the mail in about 7-14 days after it appears in the data base.

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