General Instructions for W4CAR VE Exams

1. MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM

Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form replacing the requirement for SSNs. BEFORE attending exam sessions, please register for an FRN (if you don't already have one) from the FCC by visiting the CORES Registration page. FRNs have been put in place to use at test sessions instead of your SSN.

***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. The FCC no longer provides paper license documents.***

2. Please bring a current/valid government-issued photo ID. Students under 18 can use a School ID, Library Card, or official birth certificate.

3. If applicable, bring the original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions IF your current license/upgrade does not reflect in the ULS database yet.

4. 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. DO NOT PRESENT DOCUMENTS AT THE EXAM SESSION OR TO THE EXAM TEAM.

5. We forward your copies of the above information to our accrediting VEC along with your examination papers. All copies of documents should be made before arriving at the test session. We have limited copying facilities at the test site.

First Time Applicant Fee

***As of April 19, 2022, the FCC has instated a separate $35 Application Fee. These new fees will apply ONLY to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign - NOT license upgrade applications. Most current licensees therefore will not be charged the new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for a new vanity call sign.

For new hams, these fees will NOT be collected at the test session and will be collected directly by the FCC. Upon successful completion of an exam, FCC will email the individual applicant directly to collect the fee. Examinees will have 10 days to make their payment in order to ensure their license/upgrade gets updated in the system. For more details, please go to the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/news/new-amateur-radio-license-applications-fee-to-become-effective-april-19-2022

W4CAR Testing Accreditations

W4CAR's mission is to serve and give back to our local community. To maximize this, W4CAR is accredited by both the ARRL and Laurel (LARC) Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC). Using two different VECs allows us to leverage resources for mentorship/education/community service while being able to minimize the cost of you getting your license since the FCC instated their $35 license fees in April 2022.

Testing Fees:

• ARRL

  • Testing: $15

  • FCC Fee (new licensees): $35

  • FCC Fee (license upgrades): No Cost

• ARRL (Youth - 17yrs and younger)

  • Testing: $5

  • FCC Fee (new licensees): $35 initially, but FREE after reimbursed by ARRL

  • FCC Fee (license upgrades): No Cost

• LARC

  • Testing: FREE

  • FCC Fee (new licensees): $35

  • FCC Fee (license upgrades): No Cost