How to Earn Your Ham Radio License

Licensing Requirements for a Ham Radio

Choose which level of license you want to get. There are 3 classes, or levels, of amateur radio licensing offered by the FCC: technician, general, and amateur extra. Before you set out, it’s useful to understand each and decide which you want to pursue, which will determine how much studying and effort you’ll need to put into it. Technician is the lowest class, and is permitted to use amateur frequencies over 30 megahertz (MHz), which means you can talk to other local radio amateurs, plus some international short-wave. It only requires 1 exam that consists of 35 multiple-choice questions about regulations and best practices. A general license gives you some ability to operate on all amateur radio bands, and their various operating modes. It requires passing an additional 35-question exam. An amateur extra license gives you full access to all amateur radio bands and modes, and is the most difficult, requiring an additional 50-question exam on top of the 2 previous exams.

Join a ham radio club or class, if possible. The best way to get the ropes of radio is with hands-on experience guided by ham veterans, and local ham radio clubs or classes are perfect for just that. Search the internet or visit AARL’s official class finder tool to look up any nearby organizations you might visit or join as your first step into the world of radio. The ARRL is the American Radio Relay League, which is the largest organization that oversees and coordinates ham radio operators. Most ham radio classes will educate and guide you all the way to getting your license, so it’s an ideal option if you’re looking to get certified quickly.

Study for the exam with print or online resources. Even if you can’t find a local club or class, no problem! There’s a host of online and print resources waiting for you to dive in and learn all there is to know about amateur radio–even exam study guides, so that there are no surprises on exam day. The official AARL Ham Radio License Manual is one of the most comprehensive and trustworthy. The ham organization KB6NU has a free and in-depth PDF study guide that starts from the beginning and covers most everything you need to know. HamStudy.org is a fabulous study tool for the exams, and requires only a free account. Also check out HamExam, HamTestOnline, and AARL’s official study tool. Renowned enthusiast Dave Casler has an entire website dedicated to sharing informational videos and resources about Ham radio.

Take and pass your licensing exam! Exams are conducted regularly and across the globe. You can opt to take your exam in person or online, whichever you’re comfortable with. When you’re ready, use AARL’s exam finder tool to find the nearest, soonest exam and register with the administrators. After you pass, your license is distributed and made valid within days. You’ll also need to register for an account with the FCC before you take your exam, which costs $35. Examinees are required to present an application form (supplied at registration), legal photo ID, #2 pencils, a calculator, and a check or cash to cover the $15 exam fee.

What is ham radio?

Ham radio is a set of frequencies set aside for amateurs. “Amateur” just means you’re using radio for personal reasons, and as an individual. Commercial radio operates on its own bands, or groups of radio frequencies. These are separate from the 26 ham frequencies, which have been set aside for individual, personal use, and range from 1.8 Megahertz to 275 Gigahertz. Ham radio operators can communicate locally, from radio to radio, or use satellites to chat across the globe.

Ham radio is fun and useful! At its core, ham radio connects you with communities across the globe. Riding the amateur radio waves can introduce you to new and unexpected characters and provide unforgettable experiences. It can also come in handy in emergencies, if you need to contact someone without the use of cell service. It typically costs less than $200 to purchase your own basic ham radio equipment. Fun fact: Each ham radio operator has their own unique and personal call sign, or identifier, which they keep as long as they keep their license. Many veterans are widely known by their radio call signs.

Why do you need a license?

The FCC requires a license for operating amateur radio. The Federal Communications Commission regulates all HA (amateur) and HV (amateur vanity) codes and frequencies to ensure smooth, fair, and legal communication among amateur radio enthusiasts. Getting your license registers you in the FCC’s database as a trustworthy and knowledgeable user. Operating without a license can result in losing your equipment, being charged a fine, or even receiving criminal charges. Ham radios operate with much more power than other personal radio formats. With great power comes great responsibility! Each license is valid for 10 years, and may be renewed simply by sending in a renewal request form.

Licensing fills you in on all the must-know tech requirements. Amateur radio requires a working knowledge of radio equipment and physics, including how a radio works and interacts with wavelengths and frequencies, which helps you understand what you’re doing and why. Without this know-how, you may fumble to successfully operate an amateur radio, or even spoil the experience for others. That may sound technical, but the lowest class of license is easy enough to achieve that many young people under the age of 18 do it! Once you know how radio works, assembling your own radio kit at home is much more approachable and cost-friendly.

Receiving a license ensures you know all the proper safety protocols. There’s also a fair amount of procedure and etiquette that goes into ham radio operation. This includes things like which frequencies and modes you may use, as well as local laws and regulations as to what can be broadcast and when. Receiving your license ensures you’re familiar with all the relevant guidelines. Sometimes, ham radio is even used to coordinate in emergency situations, and it’s vital that you know what to do in these instances.