License Exams

POTTSTOWN AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

PAARC holds Amateur Radio License Exam sessions with ARRL accredited Volunteer Examiners prior to most club meetings. Tests take place at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Swamp Pike and Kugler Rd., in Limerick, PA.

Important: You’ll need a FCC FRN Number to take an exam and apply for a license. ARRL link: What to bring to an exam session
⇒ Register for your FCC 10-digit FRN Number here: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do

PAARC LICENSE EXAM SESSIONS
Exams are on most first Fridays of the month at 5:00 pm unless otherwise noted below. If no one has registered a week before the meeting, the session may be canceled. Exams are not offered in July and August. The cost to take an exam is $15.  If you are sitting for one exam and pass it, you will be offered the opportunity to sit for the next operator class exam for no additional charge. After your exam(s) you are welcome to stay for the PAARC general meeting at 7:00 pm.  

Remaining Sessions in 2024:
March 1*, April 5, May 3, June 7, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6
To schedule an exam, use our License Exam Form and await email confirmation and instructions.
No walk-ins.You must pre-register for an exam session. Exam dates are subject to change.
*The PAARC March 1 exam is at capacity. There’s a nearby exam opportunity on March 17 at 1pm through the Education Alliance for Amateur Radio. Details here: https://hamstudy.org/sessions/65733782c1ae17c4682902a7/1

→ Click here to fill out our License Exam Form 



What to Bring to an Exam Session 

⇒  Your FCC Registration Number (FRN) must be provided to the VE’s (volunteer examiners) to sit for an exam.
See the FCC instructional video with instructions on how to obtain an FRN through the FCC’s Commission Registration System (CORES): https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn
⇒   Fill out this editable NCVEC 605 Form, print it, and bring it with you to your exam session: https://www.arrl.org/files/file/VEs/NCVEC_Form_605_July_2022_INTERACTIVE.pdf
⇒  
Two forms of ID, or 1 photo ID
⇒  Exam fee of $15.00 due at the session. (In addition, the FCC license application fee is $35.00 for a 10 year license.)
⇒ If upgrading, your current license and a copy (we cannot make copies at the session), and any current valid CSCE’s (original and one copy)
⇒  Two or more pencils
⇒  Calculator, if desired


OTHER AREA EXAMS

Other clubs and groups also offer in-person tests. Check the ARRL site for regional exam sessions:
http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session/

ONLINE LICENSE EXAMS

ARRL VE Teams
http://www.arrl.org/FindOnlineExam

HamStudy.org Remote Exams
https://hamstudy.org 
Search for additional examination dates and teams like GLAARG where some PAARC VE’s have been participating in test sessions. Click onFind a Sessionto display the list of upcoming exams.


Licenses

TECHNICIAN LICENSE
The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. To earn the Technician license requires passing one examination totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz, allowing these licensees the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America. It also allows for some limited privileges on the HF (also called “short wave”) bands used for international communications.

GENERAL LICENSE
The General class license grants some operating privileges on all Amateur Radio bands and all operating modes. This license opens the door to world-wide communications. Earning the General class license requires passing a 35 question examination. General class licensees must also have passed the Technician written examination.

AMATEUR EXTRA LICENSE
The Amateur Extra class license conveys all available U.S. Amateur Radio operating privileges on all bands and all modes. Earning the license is more difficult; it requires passing a thorough 50 question examination. Extra class licensees must also have passed all previous license class written examinations.

Learn more about getting licensed at the ARRL website