Online ham radio exam FAQ

1. Before you register

Do I need to live in New Jersey?

No. Our online sessions welcome candidates throughout the United States and internationally. International candidates need a valid U.S. mailing address for their FCC license application, but do not need to live in the United States. Review the international candidate requirements below before registering.

Can international candidates take a U.S. Amateur Radio license exam with WEARC?

Yes. We welcome and encourage international candidates to register for our online sessions. U.S. citizenship and U.S. residence are not required. Under 47 CFR § 97.5(b)(1), a person who qualifies by examination may apply for an FCC amateur operator/primary station license except a representative of a foreign government.

U.S. mailing address

You must provide a valid U.S. mailing address for your FCC license application when testing with WEARC. You do not have to live in the United States. The address must be accurate and able to receive mail. Current 47 CFR § 97.23 requires the license record to show your correct name, mailing address, and email address.

FCC FRN and email address

An FCC Registration Number (FRN) and a valid email address are required. Use your existing FRN if you have one. Foreign applicants without eligibility for a U.S. Social Security Number can register online in FCC CORES as foreign/exempt to receive an FRN. See our FRN guide for registration steps. If you cannot obtain an FRN through the normal process, contact WEARC and FCC support before booking.

International phone numbers and ExamTools

If ExamTools will not accept your international phone number, leave that field blank and email [email protected] with a valid cell phone number, including country code, that can receive voice calls and text messages.

Identification

A government-issued passport is acceptable photo identification. Your FCC and exam registration name must match your identification. For additional identification options, review the requirements for your chosen exam session.

NCVEC Form 605 certification and qualification question

All candidates must complete the Basic Qualification Question and NCVEC Form 605 certifications. In particular, you must certify that you are not a representative of a foreign government, consistent with 47 CFR § 97.5(b)(1).

After you are licensed

An FCC license does not automatically authorize you to transmit from another country. When operating outside areas regulated by the FCC, follow the licensing and reciprocal-operating requirements of the country where your station is located.

Have questions? Contact WEARC before booking. We welcome international candidates and are happy to help you prepare.

Can I take the actual ham radio license exam online from home?

Yes. WEARC offers supervised online Technician, General, and Amateur Extra license exams through ARRL VEC. You join a scheduled Zoom session and complete identity and room checks with volunteer examiners. HamStudy practice tests help you study but do not earn a license. See the online exam guide and home setup requirements.

How many questions are on each exam, and what score passes?

Technician (Element 2) and General (Element 3) each have 35 questions and require 26 correct answers. Amateur Extra (Element 4) has 50 questions and requires 37 correct answers. There is no Morse code exam. Compare the classes in our exam guide.

Do I need Technician before General or Amateur Extra?

You must pass or receive valid credit for the required earlier elements: Element 2 for Technician, Elements 2 and 3 for General, and Elements 2, 3, and 4 for Amateur Extra. You may complete the needed exams in one session if arranged with the team in advance; you do not have to wait for each license class to be issued between exams. Bring any existing license or CSCE documents needed for exam credit.

Is an FCC FRN required?

Yes. Get your FRN before the session. Use our FRN how to guide to register.

What is the exam fee and how do I pay?

The exam fee is $15 per session, or $5 for candidates under 18. After passing an element, you may take the next higher element(s) in the same session at no additional exam fee through Amateur Extra. Email us in advance if you plan to take multiple elements.

New licenses require a separate $35 FCC application fee paid directly to the FCC. A normal license-class upgrade does not require that fee. Eligible new-license candidates under 18 can apply for ARRL reimbursement after their license is issued. See our payment page and youth guide.

Pick a session on HamStudy, complete registration, pay the exam fee within one hour using our payment page, and watch for the ExamTools confirmation email.

2. After you register

I did not get a confirmation email. What now?

Check your spam folder. If it is still missing, email [email protected].

What ID should I have for the online exam?

Most candidates can use one acceptable legal photo ID. If no photo ID is available, ARRL provides accepted non-photo alternatives, including a special rule for students and minors. Review the online exam ID requirements.

What else should I bring on exam day?

Bring your FRN and any applicable CSCEs, and review the what to bring checklist.

How do I prepare my workspace for the online exam?

Carefully review the online exam session requirements checklist.

What if my tech setup is not working?

Join early and use the troubleshooting checklist to fix audio, video, and screen sharing.

3. During and after your exam

Can I take more than one element in the same session?

Yes. After passing an element, you may attempt the next higher element in the same session at no additional exam fee, through Amateur Extra. Email us ahead of time so we can reserve enough time.

What if I fail an element? Can I retake it?

Yes. ARRL VEC requires an additional exam fee for another attempt at the same element. Ask the VE team whether another attempt can be accommodated during your session or whether you should register for a later date; a same-session retake is not guaranteed. Save your CSCE for any elements you pass; that exam credit is valid for 365 days.

Do I pay the FCC application fee after a license upgrade?

A normal license-class upgrade does not require the $35 FCC application fee. New licenses do require that separate payment directly to the FCC. Save your CSCE and follow the new-license or upgrade next steps.

What happens after I pass the exam?

Save your CSCE and follow the steps for a new license or an upgrade. New licenses require a separate $35 FCC application payment; ordinary class upgrades do not. Use the FRN status lookup to track your application.