Getting Your Ham Radio License — The Complete Guide
I got my Technician license in December 2024 and upgraded to General class in March 2026. In that time I've worked over 160 countries between phone and digital modes, earned multiple ARRL awards, and have been activating Florida state and national parks for Parks on the Air ever since.
If you're curious about ham radio and wondering where to start — this page has everything you need. What the hobby is, which license to get, how to study, where to take the exam, and what to do with the FCC when you pass.
— Joe Leone, W4GGJ
What Is Amateur Radio?
Amateur radio — called ham radio by everyone who uses it — is a federally licensed hobby that lets you communicate with other operators around the world using radio equipment you build, buy, or configure yourself.
It sounds simple but the range of what you can do with it is enormous. On a basic setup you can talk to someone across town on a repeater. With a modest HF station and a digital mode called FT8 you can work contacts in 160 countries on 5 watts of power. You can activate national parks from the field, bounce signals off the moon, talk to astronauts on the International Space Station, and deploy emergency communications when cell networks go down.
The hobby rewards you at every level. Beginners make their first contact and feel the same rush that operators with 50 years of experience still talk about. There is always something new to learn, a new mode to try, a new award to chase, or a new piece of gear to build.
It's also one of the few hobbies where the barrier to entry is genuinely low — a Technician license exam, a $30 handheld radio, and you're on the air.
The Three License Classes
The FCC issues amateur radio licenses in three classes. You start at Technician and can upgrade from there. Each class opens up more of the radio spectrum and more operating privileges.
Technician Class — Entry Level
The Technician license is where everyone starts. The exam is 35 multiple choice questions drawn from a published question pool of 411 questions. You need to answer 26 correctly to pass — that's 74%. No Morse code required.
What you can do with a Technician license:
- Operate on all amateur frequencies above 30 MHz — VHF and UHF
- Use local repeaters for voice communication
- Operate on 10 meters for HF digital modes (FT8, PSK31, etc.)
- Communicate via satellite
- Participate in POTA, public service events, and emergency communications
The Technician exam covers basic electronics, radio regulations, operating procedures, and safety. Most people who study consistently for two to four weeks pass on their first attempt.
General Class — HF Privileges
The General class license opens up the HF bands — the frequencies below 30 MHz that let you communicate around the world. To take the General exam you must already hold a Technician license or pass both exams on the same day.
The General exam is also 35 questions from a different published pool. Same passing score — 26 out of 35.
What you gain with a General license:
- Majority of the HF spectrum — 160 meters through 10 meters
- Worldwide voice communication on SSB
- Full access to FT8 and other digital modes on all HF bands
- DX chasing, contest operating, and award programs like ARRL Worked All States
This is the license I upgraded to in February 2026. It changed everything about what I could do with the hobby.
Amateur Extra Class — Full Privileges
The Extra class license grants access to every frequency available to amateur radio operators in the United States and gives you the right to become a Volunteer Examiner — someone who administers exams to new hams.
The Extra exam is 50 questions from a much larger pool. You need to answer 37 correctly to pass.
Extra class operators also get access to exclusive portions of each HF band that are often less crowded than the General class segments.
How to Study
There are two main approaches — books and online practice — and the best strategy uses both.
Study Guide Books
ARRL — Technician Class The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual is the most widely used Technician study guide in the country. Clear explanations, the full question pool with answer keys, and supplemental online practice exams. Valid through June 30, 2026. View on Amazon →
ARRL — General Class The ARRL General Class License Manual covers all the HF operating theory and regulations you need to upgrade. If you passed Technician and want to get on HF — this is the book. Valid through June 30, 2027. View on Amazon →
Gordon West — Technician Class Gordon West, WB6NOA, is one of the most popular ham radio educators in the country. His Technician prep book reorganizes the official question pool by topic rather than by question number, which many people find easier to study. Includes audio resources and over 125 website references. Valid through June 30, 2026. View on Amazon →
Gordon West — General Class The Gordon West General Class book follows the same logical topic-based format as his Technician book. If you used Gordon West to pass Technician, this is the natural next step for your General upgrade. Valid through June 30, 2027. View on Amazon →
Online Study and Practice Testing
HamRadioPrep.com is the best online study platform for all three license levels. It offers structured video courses, chapter-by-chapter reviews, and unlimited randomly generated practice exams that mirror the actual FCC exam format. If you want to study on your phone, tablet, or laptop without buying a book — start here.
HamRadioPrep covers Technician, General, and Extra class. You can track your progress, identify weak areas, and take full practice exams until you're consistently scoring well above the passing threshold.
My recommendation: Use a book or HamRadioPrep for the initial study, then hammer practice exams until you're consistently scoring 85% or higher. The actual exam will feel straightforward at that point.
Finding an Exam Session
Amateur radio exams are administered by Volunteer Examiners — licensed operators who volunteer their time to test new hams. There is no FCC office to visit.
ARRL Exam Search → Search for in-person exam sessions near you by zip code. Sessions are held at clubs, libraries, schools, and hamfests throughout the year.
HamStudy.org Remote Exam → Remote online exams are available if there isn't a local session convenient to you. You take the exam from home via video call with a team of volunteer examiners.
What to bring to your exam:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your FRN number (get this from the FCC before your exam — see below)
- $15 exam fee in cash (some sessions accept card — check ahead)
- A simple non-programmable calculator is allowed
- Pencils or pens
The FCC Licensing Process
Getting your license involves a few steps with the FCC. Here's the exact sequence:
Step 1 — Get Your FRN Before Your Exam
Your FCC Registration Number (FRN) is a 10-digit number that uniquely identifies you in the FCC system. You need it before your exam so your license can be processed quickly when you pass.
Register at the FCC CORES system:
Once registered you'll receive your FRN immediately. Keep it somewhere safe — you'll use it for the rest of your ham radio life.
FCC CORES Help Desk: 1-877-480-3201 (Monday–Friday 8 AM–6 PM Eastern)
Step 2 — Pass Your Exam
Your Volunteer Examiners will submit your exam results to the FCC through their VEC (Volunteer Examiner Coordinator). You don't file anything yourself for a new license — the VEC does it on your behalf.
After your exam session the VEC typically submits results within a few days. You can track your application status in the FCC database.
Step 3 — Find Your License in the FCC Database
Once your license is processed — typically within a few business days of the VEC submission — it will appear in the FCC license search. You are legally permitted to transmit as soon as your license appears in the FCC database. You do not need to wait for a paper certificate.
Step 4 — Log Into ULS to Manage Your License
The FCC Universal Licensing System is where you manage your license — updating your address, applying for a vanity call sign, renewing before expiration, and upgrading to a new license class.
FCC Universal Licensing System →
Important renewal note: Amateur radio licenses are granted for 10 years. You can renew starting 90 days before your expiration date. Renewals are free. Missing your renewal window means your license lapses — so set a reminder well in advance.
Step 5 — Pay the $35 Application Fee
The FCC charges a $35 fee for new amateur radio licenses and for upgrades. The fee is paid through the ULS after your application is submitted. Payment is due within 10 calendar days of your application — missing the window means starting over.
FCC Wireless Application Fees →
Additional FCC Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| FCC CORES Registration | apps.fcc.gov/cores |
| FCC License Search | wireless2.fcc.gov |
| FCC ULS License Manager | fcc.gov/uls |
| Common Amateur Filing Tasks | fcc.gov/amateur-filing |
| FCC Wireless Help Center | fcc.gov/wtbhelp |
| FCC Help Desk Phone | 1-877-480-3201 |
What to Do After You're Licensed
Once your license is in the FCC database and you have your call sign — get on the air. Don't wait until you have better gear or know more. The hobby is learned by doing.
A few things worth doing in your first week:
Log into QRZ.com at qrz.com and set up your operator page. Every ham has one and other operators will look you up when you make contact.
Create an account on LoTW — the ARRL's Logbook of The World — at lotw.arrl.org. This is where contacts get confirmed electronically for awards and credit.
Find your local club. Almost every area has at least one amateur radio club. Clubs hold license exam sessions, run nets, do public service events, and help new hams get set up. Find one at arrl.org/find-a-club.
Look into Parks on the Air. POTA is one of the most active programs in amateur radio right now — operators set up portable stations in state and national parks and make contacts from the field. It's how I fell in love with the field operation side of the hobby.
Read my book. FT8 for the First Time: A Simple Guide to Digital Modes and POTA for Licensed Hams covers everything from configuring WSJT-X to running your first POTA activation. It's the guide I wished I had when I started.
Get FT8 for the First Time on Amazon →
Have questions? Drop them in the comments on any of my blog posts or reach me on the Tava One Discord. 73 de W4GGJ