A clarification on which license applications will have a fee.
     Courtesy of the ARRL



NOTE:
  The license application fee of $35 is paid directly to the FCC. The FCC license application fee is completely separate from the W5YI VEC session fee. The W5YI VEC organization charges an examination session fee of $14 for administration of the exam session.

DETAILS:
  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified the circumstances of the application fee in response to an ARRL request. The new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade an Amateur Radio Licensee’s operator class and changes to club station trustees.

  The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on April 19, 2022.

  All license applications (subject to the $35 Application fee), will receive an email from the FCC. The applicant will have 10 calendar days to pay the fee.

  A short video covering how to pay the application fee. CORES system
  The URL to the CORES payment system: FCC CORES