Exam session

Thank you for choosing GSARA for your amateur radio license exam! Here is some information that will be helpful. Please use hamstudy.org to practice.

What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session:

  1.  MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM
       FCC Registration Number (FRN):  Examinees are required by
       the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form.
       New license applicants must create an FCC user account and
       register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission
       Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. 
       Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license
       transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your
       SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration
       page and the FCC's Registration instructions page.
       Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the
       application form to receive FCC correspondence, including the official
       copy of your Amateur Radio license.

  2.  One legal photo ID (identification):
       a. State Driver’s License
       b. Government issued Passport
       c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
       d. Student School Photo ID card
       e. State Photo ID card

  3.  If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
       a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
       b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
       c. Social security card
       d. Employer's wage statement or Minor's work permit
       e. School ID card
       f. School or Public Library card
       g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
           specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
           to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
           the Form 605.

  4.  Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the
       above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise 
       two non-photo IDs are required. ARRL will cover the one-time FCC
       application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years
       old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program.
       Candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam
       session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam.
       Visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage for more
       information and for the reimbursement instructions.
       Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the 
       room by an adult during the test.

  5.  If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license
       or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database.
       Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the
       following sources: the official license or reference license printed
       from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website
       or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates
       of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from
       previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by
       the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The
       candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team 
       but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC.
       Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the
       VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned.
       Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on
       our Obtain License Copy web page.

  6.  Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions. 

  7.  A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. 
       You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
       Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free
       of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during 
       the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used.
       In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices
       and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT
       be used.

  8.  Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee. ($15)

  9.  Be aware that some information about you will be made publicly available
       on the FCC's website (FCC Licensee Privacy) including a felony conviction
       status. All applicants must answer the Basic Qualification Question (felony
       conviction status question) on the 605 Form at the exam session.
       Applicants that answer "YES" for the question must follow these FCC
       procedures: FCC qualification question instructions 

Once the exam session is completed you will need to access ExamTools to sign your documents and verify your information. This can be done on your mobile phone. You will need to know your PIN that was emailed to you in the exam registration. For the exam fee Check or Cash payments are currently the only accepted payment at this time. Please make checks out to "GSARA" for the amount of 15$ to cover the exam fee. The FCC charges a fee ($35) to issue an initial license as well as for other FCC services. The FCC fee must be paid directly to the FCC not to an organization or exam team. View the fee filing guide and instructions on the FCC Application Fee webpage. Here is a link: https://apps2.fcc.gov/Batch_Filer/login.cfm ARRL will cover the one-time $35 FCC application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. The $35 FCC application fee will be reimbursed after the ARRL VEC receives the completed reimbursement form and the new license has been issued by the FCC. The reimbursement check will be mailed to the fee payer. Also, candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam. Visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage for more information and for the reimbursement instructions.

If you should have any questions, please email our VE Team at vetesting@gsara.org

More info can be found: https://www.gsara.org/getyourlicense