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Amateur radio is licensed and regulated in virtually every country on earth, each with its own regulatory body, exam structure, and operating rules. This page provides a brief overview of licensing in countries not covered by the dedicated pages for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Japan.
Brazil's Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL) administers amateur radio licensing. Brazil has three licence classes (A, B, and C), with Class A being the highest. Brazilian callsigns use the PY, PU, PP, and PT prefixes, with the digit indicating the state. LABRE (Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rádio Emissão) is the national society. Brazil participates in the IARP (Inter-American Amateur Radio Permit) for reciprocal operating across the Americas.
Argentina's Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM) regulates amateur radio. The country has three licence categories: Novice, General, and Superior. Argentine callsigns use the LU and LW prefixes. Argentina is an active participant in the IARP system and hosts many DX-active operators.
The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) oversees amateur radio licensing in Mexico. Mexico issues licences in several categories with varying privileges. Mexican callsigns use the XE and XF prefixes. The Federación Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (FMRE) is the national society.
South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) regulates amateur radio. Korea uses a multi-class system, with licence exams administered by the Korean Amateur Radio League (KARL). Callsigns use the HL, DS, and 6K prefixes. South Korea has a robust amateur radio community with particularly strong activity in VHF/UHF and digital modes.
India's Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) under the Ministry of Communications issues amateur radio licences. India has two classes: Restricted (Grade II) and General (Grade I). Indian callsigns use the VU prefix. The Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) and other organisations support the hobby. India requires a licensing exam administered by regional WPC offices.
The Chinese Radio Amateur Club (CRAC), under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), manages amateur radio in China. China has three licence classes (A, B, and C). Callsigns use the B-prefix series (BA, BD, BG, BH, etc.). Amateur radio in China has grown significantly in recent years.
Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) regulates amateur radio. Thai callsigns use the HS and E2 prefixes. The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) is the national society and assists with licensing.
New Zealand's Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) division within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment licenses amateur radio operators. New Zealand uses a two-level system: General User and Amateur. Callsigns use the ZL prefix (ZL1–ZL4 by region). The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) is the national society.
Indonesia's Organisation of Indonesian Amateur Radio (ORARI) administers amateur radio on behalf of the government. Indonesian callsigns use the YB, YC, YD, and YE prefixes. Indonesia has a large amateur radio community with several thousand active operators.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) regulates amateur radio. South Africa has three licence classes: Class A (entry level), Class B, and Class C (highest). Callsigns use the ZS, ZR, and ZU prefixes. The South African Radio League (SARL) is the national society and assists with exams and licensing.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) oversees amateur radio licensing. Nigerian callsigns use the 5N prefix. The Nigeria Amateur Radio Society (NARS) supports the amateur community.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) licenses amateur radio operators. Kenyan callsigns use the 5Z prefix. East African amateur radio has a small but dedicated community.
Israel's Ministry of Communications regulates amateur radio. Israeli callsigns use the 4X and 4Z prefixes. Israel participates in the CEPT framework as a non-European member. The Israel Amateur Radio Club (IARC) is the national society.
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CITC) manages amateur radio licensing in Saudi Arabia. Saudi callsigns use the HZ and 7Z prefixes. While the amateur community is smaller than in some countries, there is active operation, particularly on HF.
Despite the variety in specific rules, most countries share these common features:
The best sources for up-to-date licensing information for any specific country include: