Getting Your License

You passed! Here's what happens next.

Everything else will be handled via email and online. you'll complete these steps at home. 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, once 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 the same day, but if your session was on a weekend, nothing will get processed until the next business day.

  3. FCC Process your results

    Technician Licenses

    The FCC is going to want their payment ($35) and they will email you with instructions for paying them. Follow those instructions, but we have some extra tips:

    • Pay using a desktop or laptop computer - not a phone or tablet. The FCC has been known to have problems with those devices.
    • You'll be given the opportunity to open and review your application form (Quick-Form 605). Our strong advice is to avoid it. If you open the document and accidentally change it (even a blank space) all of the signatures will be removed and your license won't issue.

    Upgrades

    If you are upgrading to General or Amateur Extra, 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 to where you can 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.

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