All amateur radio examinations are administered under the auspices of the American Radio Relay League Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL/VEC) with written tests generated using ARRL VE Exam Maker software.  All examination materials are current as of the date of examination.  It is the examinee's responsibility to study the most current testing materials.  Check with the VE Team to ensure you have the correct question pools, etc.  Study materials are available from a number of sources, including the ARRL.  Question pools are available online at the ARRL Web site.

Question pool revision schedule:
Technician class element 2 - valid from 1 July 2018 through 30 June 30 2022
General class element 3 - valid from 1 July 2019 through 30 June 30 2023
Extra class element 4 - valid from 1 July 2016 through 30 June 30, 2020

What to bring to a testing session:

• Two forms of identification (one must show a photograph)

• The original and a photocopy of your current amateur radio license (if any)

• The original and a photocopy of all applicable Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE)

• NCVEC Form 605 dated September 2017 (previous editions are obsolete)

  $15 examination fee (cash or check/money order payable to "ARRL/VEC")

All other testing materials will be supplied.  You may use an electronic calculator, if you wish.

Testing begins promptly at the appointed time.  Late comers will be turned away.  Plan accordingly.

We generally offer just one sitting at our testing sessions.  Under extraordinary circumstances, we may make an exception.  The VE Team will make a determination based on individual circumstances and availability of examiners.

Candidates who successfully complete examination elements will be issued a CSCE for those elements passed (whether or not a license or upgrade is earned).  The CSCE is valid for 365 days from the date of issue, after which the element must be retaken.

Currently licensed amateurs who pass element(s) earning them a higher class of amateur license, and who hold a CSCE to that effect, may immediately use their newly earned operating privileges provided they properly identify themselves when operating in the newly earned frequency segments/bands.

Use the following identifiers with your current call sign:

AG for upgrade to General class
AE for upgrade to Amateur Extra class

For example, identify on voice "W5QX temporary AE" and on CW "W5QX/AG."

Newly licensed persons (those who earned a license at a testing session, but did not previously hold an amateur radio license) must wait until the Federal Communications Commission issues a call sign to them before they may legally operate.  The official issuance of a call sign (e.g., as reflected on the FCC's web site) constitutes authority to operate even while waiting for the license document to arrive by mail.  Our testing materials are Priority Mailed to the ARRL/VEC the day after testing.  Licenses are generally issued within seven to ten days of the testing session, although VEC and FCC processing times may vary.


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