Note: The next exam date is June 14, 2025

Amateur Radio Exams

Amateur Radio Operators must successfully complete a required examination to be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.

MARA and VARA provide in-person sessions quarterly . We use the Exam Tools website and applicants are provided Chromebook tablets to take the exam.

• You will need an FRN. If you don’t have one already, you will need to obtain one HERE.
• Please bring a picture ID and $ 15.00 cash for the exam.
• We provide pencils, pens, scratch paper, and a calculator.
• All classes of exams offered: Technician, General, Amateur Extra.
• You can take more than one exam per session.
• If you are not 13 years of age or older you may not register for any exam session through HamStudy.org or ExamTools.org until your parent or guardian has filled out our COPPA Parental Consent Form and emailed it to coppa@examtools.org. Please send a courtesy copy to seifemi@verizon.net

Once you pass the exam, the FCC charges a $35 fee to issue a new license. Upgrades will not be charged. You will have 10 days after you pass the test to log onto FCC Universal Licensing System and pay the fee. 

Click on the link to register for the next exam session: HamStudy.org: Exam

So how do you study for the exam? Occasionally, local hams offer classes. But you can certainly study on your own. One simple app is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delasystems.hamradioexamtech

Another app, with a different layout, but the same elements is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iversoft.ham.test.prep

If you don’t want to download an app, go to hamstudy.org. This is a comprehensive site that explains all the ins and outs of Ham Radio in general.