Hamfest Ham Exams

The FCARC VE Team will hold Ham Exams at the FCARC Swapfest November 2, 2025. Registration will be from 9 to 10 am.

You will need a government issued ID, an email address, and a Federal Registration Number (FRN). Younger people without an ID must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Special Notice about FRNs. The FCC is closed during the Government shutdown and will not be issuing FRNs or accepting registrations and renewals during the shutdown. Ham Exams will still be given. Successful candidates will be issued a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE).  Our VEC, the ARRL, will hold the applications until the FCC opens and begins issuing FRNs. 

Exams are $15, under age 18 is $5. If you wish to retake a failed exam you will be charged another $15 /$5. If you are successful, you may take the next element at no extra charge. Bring a pen or pencil and a calculator. Cell phone calculators are not allowed and should be silenced or off and put away.

If you are upgrading, you will need proof of your current license.        

The FCC charges $35 for new license applications. We do not collect that fee. The FCC will email you payment instructions when they receive your application from the ARRL. You have 10 days to respond from the issuance of that email. If you miss that 10-day period, your application may be dismissed.  New call signs will be emailed after your payment is processed. 

If you have questions about the exams or wish to preregister, please call Rick at (920) 809-1010 or email at wj9k.mail@gmail.com.