Getting Licensed

Getting Your Amateur Radio License

You do not need a license to join SCARg as an Associate Operator or to attend meetings and training events. However, an FCC amateur radio license is required to transmit on amateur frequencies and is a prerequisite for the Emergency Operator role.

Getting licensed is more straightforward than most people expect. There's no Morse code requirement, and the exam pools are publicly available so you can study exactly what will be on the test.

The Three License Classes

The FCC issues three classes of amateur radio license, each building on the previous:

Technician Class — The entry-level license. Covers all VHF/UHF frequencies and some limited HF privileges. A 35-question written exam is required. This is the minimum license for active Emergency Operator status.
General Class — Expands HF privileges significantly, enabling nationwide and worldwide communication. Requires passing an additional 35-question exam after earning Technician.
Amateur Extra Class — The highest license class. Grants all available U.S. amateur radio privileges. Requires a 50-question exam after passing General.

For most SCARg purposes, a Technician license is the practical starting point. General and Extra class licenses open up additional capabilities that can be useful in regional or national-level emergency communications.

How to Study

The FCC examination question pools are publicly available, and there are several free resources to help you prepare:

Printed study guides are also available. Most people report that a focused study period of two to four weeks is sufficient to pass the Technician exam.

Taking the Exam

Exams are administered by teams of Volunteer Examiners (VEs) through organizations called Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs). Sessions are held regularly in the region, and online testing options are also available.

Find an exam session near you (ARRL)

To pass, you must answer at least 74% of the questions correctly (26 out of 35 for the Technician exam). When you pass, the VE team submits your results to the FCC, which grants your license — typically within a few days.

FCC licenses are valid for 10 years and can be renewed online. There is a small FCC application fee for new licenses.

Testing is held at the headquarters of the Shenandoah Valley Radio Club (SVARC) in Winchester, Va. For more information about the testing process, as well as the current testing schedule, visit their website.

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