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Amateur radio in the United States is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Part 97 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The US has one of the largest amateur radio communities in the world, with over 750,000 licensed operators.
The US currently has three licence classes, each building on the previous one:
The Technician class is the entry-level licence and the starting point for most new operators. It requires passing a 35-question multiple-choice exam covering basic regulations, operating practices, and introductory electronics and radio theory.
Privileges include:
The Technician licence is well-suited for operators interested in local communication, emergency communications, satellite operation, and experimenting with VHF/UHF.
The General class significantly expands HF operating privileges. It requires passing an additional 35-question exam that covers more advanced regulations, operating procedures, and technical topics. You must already hold a Technician licence (or pass both exams in the same session).
Additional privileges include:
General class operators can work the vast majority of amateur frequencies and participate fully in DX operating, contesting, and award chasing. For many operators, this is the licence class they hold for their entire ham radio career.
The Amateur Extra class is the highest US licence tier. The exam is 50 questions and covers the most advanced technical material, including circuit design, signal processing, antenna theory, and detailed regulatory knowledge.
Additional privileges include:
Unlike many countries where the government directly administers exams, the US uses a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) system. Licensed amateur radio operators who are accredited as Volunteer Examiners (VEs) administer the exams on behalf of the FCC.
The three largest VEC organisations are:
Exam sessions are held regularly at ham radio clubs, libraries, community centres, and hamfests across the country. You can search for nearby sessions through the ARRL exam session finder at arrl.org, the Laurel VEC session list at laurelvec.com, or hamstudy.org, which aggregates sessions from multiple VECs.
Since 2020, several VEC organisations have offered remote (online) exams via video conferencing. This makes it possible to take your exam from home, which is especially helpful for people in rural areas or those with limited mobility. Check with individual VECs for their remote exam schedules and requirements.
All US amateur exams are multiple choice, drawn from publicly available question pools that are updated on a regular cycle (typically every four years). Study materials and practice exams are widely available online.
| Exam Element | Questions | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|
| Technician (Element 2) | 35 | 26 correct (74%) |
| General (Element 3) | 35 | 26 correct (74%) |
| Amateur Extra (Element 4) | 50 | 37 correct (74%) |
Exam fees vary by VEC. The ARRL VEC charges a session fee (around $15 as of 2024), while the Laurel VEC offers exams at no cost. Additionally, the FCC charges an application fee (currently $35) for new licences and upgrades, payable directly to the FCC after passing.
You can take multiple exam elements in a single session. It is not uncommon for well-prepared candidates to pass Technician and General — or even all three exams — in one sitting.
The US eliminated the Morse code requirement for all licence classes in 2007. While CW operation remains popular and is an excellent mode, it is not tested on any current US exam.
US amateur licences are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance. Licences can be renewed for free through the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) at any time during the licence term or within a two-year grace period after expiration. If your licence expires and you renew within the grace period, your callsign and privileges are restored. After the grace period, you must re-take the exam.
US callsigns follow a structured format based on licence class and call district. The US is divided into 10 call districts (0–9), each covering a geographic region. New callsigns are assigned sequentially by the FCC from the appropriate group:
| Licence Class | Callsign Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Technician | 2×3 (e.g., KD + district + 3 letters) | KD9XYZ |
| General | 2×3 (same format as Technician) | KG7ABC |
| Amateur Extra | 2×3 sequential, eligible for 1×2 or 2×1 vanity calls | W1AW, AB2C |
Operators of any licence class can apply for a vanity callsign from the pool appropriate to their class. Extra class operators have access to the shortest and most desirable call formats.
For more details on callsign formats worldwide, see the Callsign Structure page.
All US amateur radio operators must comply with Part 97 rules. Some key points:
The question pools for all three exam levels are public and available for free. Popular study resources include hamstudy.org (free online practice exams and flashcards), the ARRL licence manuals, and numerous YouTube channels offering free exam preparation videos. Many local ham radio clubs also run study classes and Elmering (mentoring) programmes.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the US regulatory authority for amateur radio. The relevant regulations are in 47 CFR Part 97 (Rules of the Amateur Radio Service). The FCC ULS (Universal Licensing System) is the online portal for licence applications, renewals, and modifications.