• Prepare the following before your exam session:

• $35 application fee: This application fee is separate from the exam session fee listed below and is valid on applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign.
  For new licensees, the application fee is paid after successful passing of your exam.

• Exam Session Fee Payment (Online Exam): Use the PayPal link below and promptly pay your $14 exam fee. **Payment must be received WITH your registration. In the PayPal notes field, please enter your name so payment is applied to correct applicant.

  Exam Session Fee Payment (In Person Exam): The Exam fee must be paid prior to the start of the exam testing. You have a choice of paying your session fee when you arrive ( Cash is preferred ) or as an option, using the PayPal link below.

PayPal.me/N4FWD
(Please be smart! Any Request is automatically denied)

***Without payment, your registration and test position will be cancelled within 24 hours***

• Online Exam: You will receive an email with Zoom meeting information and embedded link approximately 10-20 minutes before your exam. You do not have to wait once you get the emailed Zoom invite.
  

  A “NO-SHOW” for your exam will result in the forfeiture of your exam fee.

  If you cannot make the scheduled exam session, you have 2 options. Either reschedule the session or completely cancel it. We need at least 24 hours advance notice of a reschedule or cancellation.

• ❏ PHOTO ID: Your photo ID must be shown to your VE Team. For an online exam, the VE Team will accept a driver’s license, passport, Student ID or any government issued ID shown on camera. Under-18 students may show either of the above items, or display a school ID or report card and a legal guardian presents a photo ID.

• ❏ Federal Registration Number (FRN): This must be submitted on the exam application. Current license holders have an FRN. Amateur Radio licenses issued since 2010 have your FRN printed on your license. New applicants were assigned an FRN when you registered for this examination at Hamstudy.org. Social Security numbers are never accepted. You must have a FRN.

• ❏ Exam Application: When registering for an exam, a NCVEC 605 application is generated. Once your exam is successful, you will view and sign this document. Your registration also generates a 4-digit PIN code which will identifies you at your test session.

• ❏ License Upgrading: The rules for upgrading your current license have changed. A PDF of your license needs to be submitted only if it has expired prior to the taking of your exam. A CSCE PDF is still required if you have not been issued a new or updated license. REMINDER: Your CSCE must be dated within the last year.
  

  If you have applied for a vanity callsign, please advise by email to [email protected]. Put your current callsign and exam date in the subject line. In the body of the email, please list callsigns which you have applied for. This is necessary in the case where your callsign changes between the time when you register and the time when you take your exam. (upgrades only).

  (Both - In Person and Online) Prior to your online exam date, please email a copy of your previous CSCE PDF or official license PDF to [email protected]. Put your current callsign and exam date in the subject line. (upgrades only).

  If you have a paper CSCE, please wait until the FCC issues your new license. Exam Tools will find the new / upgraded license when you register for a session.

• ❏ For upgrading your current license, your name on the registration must exactly match the name on your FCC license. Name changes requires your separate documentation to be submitted to the FCC.

• ❏ For online exams, prepare your computer and cell phone camera: Your VE Team will ensure the integrity of the testing system. Be sure your computer and phone can handle the following:

***Note: You may optionally use a computer calculator application on your screen during the exam***

• Android devices such as Chromebooks are allowed, with the following provision. A second device such as a tablet or cellphone with zoom application/video that you can also connect to the meeting.

• You must have a working computer with a webcam, microphone, speaker (NO HEADSETS/EARBUDS/HEADPHONES/SMART WATCHES/SMART EYEWEAR) and cell phone camera with audio muted. MacOS requires that you unlock Zoom, and “allow Zoom to record” before your screen can be shared.

  Important! If you decide to use an I-pad to take your exam, you will need a phone connected to zoom as a video source (no audio!). The I-pad lacks the ability to show your video while sharing your screen. We need to see you as well as your shared screen.

• Your computer and phone must be connected with reliable service. Interrupted internet service can void your exam session.

• To expedite your session, you’re asked to download and test-run Zoom on computer and phone well in advance of your test session. You will receive your Zoom meeting invitation by email just prior to your exam. Watch for your email invitation minutes before your test!

• Disable any applications relating to chatting, alerts, Bluetooth devices, virtual screens, TeamViewer, Remote Desktops, VPNs or pop-up apps. Only a web browser, Zoom and calculator may be active. Your VE team may ask to view other running applications in your computer’s System Tray.

• Verify your computer and phone are plugged in or fully charged.

• No Virtual Backgrounds may be applied on your Zoom video feed.

• You are allowed only one screen or monitor on the computer. Remove/Cover/Unplug any additional monitors within your view, or take a single laptop into a different room. Your examination team may end your exam immediately for non-compliance.

• You will be asked to sign exam documents electronically following your exam.

• ❏ Prepare your exam room: The VE Team must protect the integrity of the test environment. Be sure you can take the exam uninterrupted.

• Clear your room of all non-exam materials, notes, books, posters, computer screens, or items that might aid in testing.

• Clear your exam table and floor of ALL items within reach or view that would raise suspicion, such as papers,sticky notes, electronic items, headphones, baseball cap or items unnecessary for your exam. Please remove any wearable technology, Google glasses, Smart Watches, etc.

• Inform other family members to not enter the room during the exam (other than the COPPA requirement).

• Have a fully charged cell phone ready to link to the same Zoom meeting. This device might be used to scan your test environment at the request of your VE team. Following the 360 degree view, place device nearby to observe you during the exam.

• Ensure phone audio is off and computer speaker audio is on.

• Normally, no additional people are allowed in the exam room. If an applicant is 13 years old (or younger), COPPA requires an adult to be present with the applicant. The adult must situate themselve behind the applicant at a distance where they cannot touch the applicant but still able to observe the exam process. The adult must be visible in the zoom video. Depending on the situation, a second zoom video may be required.

• ❏ Practice for your exam: It is your responsibility to be fully prepared, as the time of three or more volunteers have been reserved for you. Use an online practice site to practice all topics and to take randomly selected practice exams. Make sure you are consistently scoring well above the passing grade before you schedule an exam. Some recommended sites:
  

•     –– HamStudy.org, a free site with lots of tips. Use the Study Mode instead of the Practice Test Mode. It has an inexpensive companion phone app you can use on the go.

•     –– ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio™, a free site from the national group that you may want to join and use for referencing a wealth of information.

Know the Rules for the ONLINE Exams:

• ❏ Exam Sessions: If an exam element is failed and you wish to re-test, another $14 exam session fee will be asked of you. Typically you will reenter our queue in the Online Waiting Room and will retest once others have completed their exams.

• ❏ Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE): When an exam element is passed, your VE team will email you your CSCE immediately. Consider this your Diploma, or Receipt for your exam. Retain this document for your records. The signed CSCE document is the only officially accepted proof that you have passed the exam.

• ❏ Protocol for Online Exams:

1. Test must be completed without any interruptions that would raise suspicion about the integrity of the your testing environment.

2. You are asked to complete the exam within your assigned time block, which is more than enough time for most candidates.

3. You agree to keep attention on your computer screen at all times. Eyes may not wander to other parts of the room. You may not leave the view of your webcam during the exam session.

4. You agree to use a single-screen computer or laptop. No other screens may to be attached or near your computer.

5. You may not have visitors in the room.

6. If requested, you will use your cell phone camera connected to Zoom to scan the entire room and exam area to show that there are no materials or people that could aid in taking the exam.

7. If requested, you will place your cell phone so that it views a larger area around your test environment.

8. You may load a calculator application on your device. Handheld calculators are not permissible.

9. You may use blank scrap paper, and a writing utensil. If scrap paper is used, please display it to your test team at conclusion of exam.

10. You must agree to share your entire screen with the VE team, not just the browser.

11. You consent that your exam session will be recorded and stored for a period of time. Currently 15 months.

12. If your VE team suspects a possibility of cheating, your exam will be terminated, your exam fee forfeited and your privilege’s of online testing will end system-wide.

• With successful passing of your exam, your VE team will explain how to use your new privileges, encouraging you to join a local radio club for further learning opportunities.

• Your examination is now complete. Congratulations and thank you for testing with the W5YI SouthEastern Amateur Radio VE Testing Group! Remember to come back and test again for your next upgrade. We look forward to hearing you on the air soon!