Getting Your Amateur Radio License

MCARA is very much interested in helping you obtain your license. We have members who willingly conduct face-to-face group instruction covering the Amateur Extra Class license. Additional guidance on obtaining your General Class license is also available on an as-needed basis. Once you are ready to take your test, our team of ARRL accredited Volunteer Examiners (VE's) are prepared to conduct your testing session.

Click here to visit the ARRL to learn more about studying for your test 

Test Sessions are held on the 1st Saturday of every month at 9:30 AM

Bel Air Baptist Church
15080 Dedeaux Rd
Gulfport, MS 39503

Your VE Team Members

^{-Number of testing sessions attended according to the ARRL as of 02 June 2022-} 

Become a Volunteer Examiner and join us the first Saturday of each month.
http://www.arrl.org/volunteer-examiners

⇒ BEFORE YOU TAKE THE EXAM READ THE FOLLOWING ⇐

1.  MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM

          You need to obtain your FCC FRN before showing up to the exam

           FCC Registration Number (FRN):  Examinees are required by
           the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form.
           New license applicants must create an FCC user account and
           register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission
           Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions.

 
           Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license
           transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your
           SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration
           page and the FCC's Registration instructions page.

2.  One legal photo ID (identification):

           a. State Driver’s License
           b. Government issued Passport
           c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
           d. Student School Photo ID card
           e. State Photo ID card

      3.  If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:

           a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
           b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
           c. Social security card
           d. Employer's wage statement or Minor's work permit
           e. School ID card
           f. School or Public Library card
           g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
               specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
               to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
               the Form 605.

      4.  Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the
           above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise 
           two non-photo IDs are required.
           Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the 
           room by an adult during the test.

      5.  If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license
           or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database.
           Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the
           following sources: the official license or reference license printed
           from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website
           or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates
           of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from
           previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by
           the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The
           candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team 
           but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC.
           Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the
           VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned.
           Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on
           our Obtain License Copy web page.

      6.  Bring two number 2 pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions. 

      7.  A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. 
           You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
           Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free
           of notes and formulas. Cell phones must be silenced or turned off during 
           the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used.

      8.  Bring a $15.00 check, money order or cash to cover the exam session fee(s).
           Check the ARRL VEC’s current exam fees.

RENEWING YOUR LICENSE 

Steps to filing a request to renew your Amateur Radio License in ULS

• Log in to ULS Online Filing with your FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password or FRN and FCC Username Password.
  Note: If you are taken to the My Applications page, click My Licenses to begin the steps below.

• On the left-side of the screen, click Renew Licenses.

• Select the licenses and Click Add.

• Click Continue to navigate through the application.

• Sign your application and click Submit Application.
  Note: By typing your first and last name in the name fields you have signed your Application.

• FCC Fee schedule as of October 2022
• FCC page on renewing your license