Notice: This page was initially generated with the assistance of AI and is pending human review. The information may contain errors or omissions. Amateur radio operators are encouraged to verify all technical details independently. Help improve this page by submitting corrections and additions. Learn how to contribute Remove this banner after human review is complete.
Amateur radio in Canada is regulated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), formerly known as Industry Canada. The governing regulations are found in the Radiocommunication Act and the associated Radio Standards Specifications, particularly RIC-3 (the information circular on amateur radio) and RBR-4 (the standards for amateur radio operation).
Canada uses a two-tier qualification system:
The Basic qualification is the entry-level licence for Canadian amateur radio. The exam consists of 100 questions drawn from a published question bank, of which you must answer at least 70% correctly. Candidates who achieve 80% or higher on the Basic exam receive additional HF privileges (see below).
Privileges with 70% pass:
Additional privileges with 80% or higher:
This is a distinctive feature of the Canadian system — the same exam gives different levels of privileges depending on your score.
The Advanced qualification exam covers more in-depth technical material, including circuit analysis, antenna theory, and advanced radio principles. It is a 50-question exam requiring 70% to pass.
Additional privileges:
Canada offers an optional Morse code qualification (5 WPM sending and receiving). While it is no longer required for any licence class, passing the Morse code exam grants the ability to operate on certain CW-specific frequencies and is a prerequisite for some international reciprocal operating arrangements.
Canadian amateur radio exams are administered by accredited examiners — existing amateur radio operators who have been approved by ISED to conduct examinations. Many ham radio clubs have accredited examiners among their members.
Unlike the US system, there is no separate VEC organisation. Individual examiners conduct tests, often at club meetings or by arrangement. Some examiners also offer remote examinations online.
Both exams are multiple-choice and drawn from published question banks that are freely available online. There is no government-mandated fee for the exam itself, though individual examiners may charge a nominal fee to cover their expenses.
| Qualification | Questions | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 100 | 70% (80% for HF privileges) |
| Advanced | 50 | 70% |
You can take the Basic and Advanced exams in the same session if you wish.
Canadian amateur callsigns use the prefix VA, VE, VY, or VO, followed by a digit indicating the province or territory, and then one to three suffix letters.
| Prefix–digit | Region |
|---|---|
| VE1 / VA1 | Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island |
| VE2 / VA2 | Quebec |
| VE3 / VA3 | Ontario |
| VE4 / VA4 | Manitoba |
| VE5 / VA5 | Saskatchewan |
| VE6 / VA6 | Alberta |
| VE7 / VA7 | British Columbia |
| VE8 | Northwest Territories |
| VE9 | New Brunswick |
| VY1 | Yukon |
| VY2 | Prince Edward Island |
| VO1 | Newfoundland |
| VO2 | Labrador |
| VY0 | Nunavut |
Holders of the Advanced qualification may apply for shorter callsign formats. For more on callsign formats, see the Callsign Structure page.
Canadian amateur radio regulations share many similarities with the US but have some notable differences:
Canadian amateur radio certificates of proficiency (the qualification itself) do not expire — once you pass the exam, the qualification is yours for life. However, the station licence (which assigns your callsign and authorises you to transmit) must be renewed periodically through ISED's Spectrum Management System.
The official question banks for both the Basic and Advanced exams are published by ISED and available for free online. Popular study resources include:
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) oversees amateur radio licensing. Key documents include RIC-3 (information circular for the Amateur Radio Service) and RBR-4 (Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service).