Amateur Radio Operator Licensing in the United States of America
Amateur (Ham) Radio is a licensed service regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Wireless Communications Bureau. An indiviudal must be properly and currently licensed as an amateur radio operator (ham) in order to legally transmit on any frequency assigned for ham use in the United States of America. There are currently three levels of amateur radio licensing in the U.S.:
- Technician Class
- General Class
- Amateur Extra Class
Licensing is progressive; an individual must take and pass the Technician Class test in order to take the General Class test, and must pass the General Class test in order to take the Amateur Extra Class test.
Testing is conducted by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) on behalf of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs). SLAARC has a number of members who are VEs and, as an ARRL affiliated club, administers exams under the jurisdiction of the ARRL, which is one of the VECs.
SLAARC Testing Sessions
Appointment needed … limited to 6 examinees, for appointment contact N8JS@arrl.net
- Where: Witch’s Hat Depot | 300 Dorothy St. | South Lyon | Michigan | 48178
- scroll down for map
- When: See session dates below
- Time: Please arrive at 9:30 AM local time for testing.
- Cost: There is a $15 test fee per test session**. Cash only please.
- FCC Fee: FCC is now charging $35 for new licensees, renewels or callsign changes.
- This is paid direct to FCC we do not collect this fee.
- ID: A picture ID and FRN number are required. Please have FRN number beforehand. FRN numbers are issued by the FCC.
- Age Limit: None
- Other: A working pen, pencil, and eraser. You may also bring a non-programmable calculator
- you will be required to clear the memory
The FCC no longer accepts Social Security Numbers on Form 605 as identification. Examinees must register in the FCC CORES registration system and receive an Federal Registration Number (FRN) before exam day, which will be used for all license transactions with the FCC, including the FCC NCVEC 605 Form. The FCC CORES system can be accessed here: FCC Registration System
Last session for 2024 is November 30th, 2024
| 2025 Sessions |
|---|
| January 25, 2025 |
| February 22, 2025 |
| March 22, 2025 |
| April 26, 2025 |
| May 24, 2025 |
| June 21, 2025 |
| July 26, 2025 |
| August 23, 2025 |
| September 20, 2025 |
| October 25, 2025 |
| November 22, 2025 |
4th Saturday of the month except:
- June for ARRL Field Day, moved to 3rd Saturday
- September for SL Pumpkinfest, moved to 3rd Saturday
**An individual can take more than one test per test session, but they must take and pass the tests in the required order or present the required proof of current licensure.
Additional Requirements if upgrading to the next license class:
- Bring an original and a legible photocopy of your current FCC ARO license. The wallet version of the FCC license is acceptable.
- Bring copies of any C.S.C.E.’s. (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination).
After the exam, you can check on the status of your license by going to the FCC License Search page https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAmateur.jsp entering your last name and state into the form, and clicking “Search.” Generally new licenses or upgrades are posted within two weeks of the exam. When you see your name, make sure the spelling and address are correct.
