Online Registration

Registering is Easy.

You can do it all from your laptop.

SURF Exams session registration is managed through HamStudy, but you'll need to register with the FCC first. We lay everything out in the steps below and we'll also point you to online instructions.

Registration for applicants under 13 years old: click for details

We love getting younger children into the hobby and we carefully follow the The Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It requires parents or guardians to complete a COPPA form. You'll do that as part of the registration process at HamStudy. Please email the completed form to examtools and reach out to us. We'll also need a copy of the form and we want to make a note that we have a younger applicant coming.

Placeholder image for online registration and planning

How to Register

  1. Create an account with the FCC

    If you don't already have an account in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES), you'll need to create one. The instructions for doing so can be found here. Or watch this video that walks through the steps. Click here to start the process.

    Important:If you already have an FCC Account and an FCC Registration Number (FRN), you can skip right to step 3. If you're upgrading your license, you already have an FRN. If you have a GMRS license, you already have an FRN. You'll need it to register, so look it up by logging into your FCC account.

  2. Create an FCC Registration Number (FRN)

    Now that you have an FCC account, you'll need to create an FCC Registration Number (FRN). The whole process is described at the FCC website, and you can watch the process here:

    Important:When you're creating your FRN you'll be asked for information like your full name and address. Please be sure that the information you enter matches the information on your government issued photo ID. For example, if your name is Joseph Blow Sr., then you can just use Joe. You also can't leave off the Sr. It really needs to match.

  3. Reserve your seat

    OK, now that you've got the governmental steps out of the way, you can reserve your seat at the exam session. Just open the list of available sessions and click on the date and time of the session you'd like to join. You'll be walked, step by step, through the registration process as shown in this video:

    NOTE: When you enter your name and address, please be sure to use the same information you used when you created your FRN. If you don't, it will delay your license and you'll have to perform additional steps.

What's Next?

The exam process View Available Sessions