Getting Your License

You passed!
What happens next?

You will complete a few simple steps from the comfort of your own home. Be sure to read through these instructions as you finalize the process to ensure your license issues quickly and correctly. You should have your license or upgrade in a matter of days!

Placeholder image representing successful candidate next steps

Post-Exam Timeline

  1. Receive CSCE confirmation

    After we have finalized your exam, you'll receive an email from ExamTools with a PDF of your CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination - phew, that's a mouthful). It should arrive less than an hour after the session. It's your proof that you passed - hold on to it.

    Upgrades: If you just upgraded to General or Amateur Extra, as soon as you receive your CSCE you may use those portions of the bands. If you do, please append your call sign with either /AG (Awaiting General) or /AE (Awaiting Extra) until your upgrade is official (see below).

  2. Session results are sent to the ARRL and FCC

    We'll submit all the results from today's exam session to the ARRL and they'll pass them along to the FCC. That usually happens in a day, but if your session was on a weekend, nothing will get processed until the next business day.

  3. FCC Processes Your Results

    Technician Licenses

    The FCC is going to want their payment ($35) and they will email you instructions describing how to pay. Follow those instructions, but we have some extra tips.

    • Pay using a desktop or laptop computer — not a phone or tablet. The FCC site has been known to behave poorly on mobile devices.
    • Pay promptly. If you want your license as soon as possible, make your payment as soon as possible. The FCC must receive your payment within 10 days, but the sooner the better.
    • Don't modify your application. You can find your application (Form 605) on the FCC website, but if you open it and change anything, even accidentally, your license won't be issued. We advise you to pay your $35 and get out of the FCC website.

    Great news if you are under 18: the ARRL will reimburse your $35 fee! Just follow the instructions on the ARRL site after your license issues.

    Upgrades

    If you are upgrading to General or Amateur Extra, there is no additional fee and the FCC will not send you an email unless you asked for a new callsign. If you're sticking with your existing callsign, it's up to you to check the FCC ULS Database to see when your upgrade has been processed. it usually takes a business day or two before your upgrade will appear. Once you see your upgraded license, you can stop using /AG or /AE.

  4. Call sign issued

    Once the FCC processes your application for a new license or new callsign they will send you an email containing it, and a link allowing you to download a PDF version of your license. Please download your license. It will come in handy in a number of circumstances. Once you've got your callsign, you are good to press the PTT button.

Get Connected, Keep Learning, Give Back

Now that your license is on the way, you might want to browse our brief list of information for getting connected, continuing your learning process, and giving back around the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz. If you still have practical questions about licensing, timing, or next steps, scan the FAQ.

Browse Local Resources Scan our FAQ