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Do I need a license to operate a ham (amateur) radio?
Yes. The FCC says an amateur (ham) radio station requires an amateur operator license grant from the FCC. A Canadian license also counts where the FCC regulates the services. You must first pass an exam given by volunteer examiners.
By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.
The steps, in order
Contact a VE team
Volunteer examiners give the exam
Pass the exam
Before the FCC grants a license
Wait for your grant
It must appear on the FCC database
Operate your station
Your operating authority begins
Decision steps: contact a volunteer examiner team, pass the exam, wait until your license grant appears on the FCC database, then operate your station.
What the rule says
Do I need an FCC license?
Yes, for an amateur station. The FCC says operating one requires an amateur operator license grant from the FCC.
Do I have to pass a test?
Yes. The FCC says you must pass an exam before you receive a license grant.
Who gives the exam?
A team of volunteer examiners, called VEs. The FCC says you must pass the exam they administer before you receive a license grant.
Is there an age limit?
The FCC describes the amateur services as for qualified persons of any age. They are for people interested in radio technique only for a personal aim, not for money.
Which class do I start with?
The FCC says most new amateur operators start at the Technician Class. They may then advance to the General Class or the Amateur Extra Class operator license.
Where people go wrong
- You operate an amateur station with no FCC license grant.
- You start to transmit after the exam but before your grant appears on the FCC database.
Questions
Where do the exam questions come from?
The FCC says the VEs build the written exams from question pools that have been made public, and that study guides and training courses are widely available.
How many types of license has the FCC issued?
The FCC says it has issued six types of license.
If I already hold a license, do I repeat exams?
The VEs give exam credit for the license class you hold now, so you do not repeat those exams when you move up.
When can I start to operate?
The FCC says your operating authority begins when your license grant appears on the Universal Licensing System database. Passing the exam alone does not start it.
Does the exam cost anything?
The FCC says a VE may charge you a reimbursement fee for out-of-pocket costs of preparing, processing, administering or coordinating your exam. We haven't confirmed an amount.
I am a visiting foreign operator. Do I need a reciprocal permit?
The FCC says the FCC-issued Reciprocal Permit for Alien Amateur Licensee is no longer needed. It says reciprocal operation in the U.S. is now authorized by 47 C.F.R. § 97.107.
Your next step
Read the FCC's amateur radio service page before you book an exam. It explains the license, the exam and the filing system.
Sources we read
- www.fcc.gov › amateur radio service · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.fcc.gov › examinations · read Nov 13, 2026
Who publishes this guide
State Cert Guide is an independent guide to what each state requires. If a fact on this page is wrong, tell us and we fix it.