Please note this is not a class but only an exam. This test is open to the public and is completely free of charge. Donations are NOT accepted. Membership to the makerspace Reforge is NOT required. We are grateful to Reforge for allowing us the use of their space to hold our exams. Our team of Volunteer Examiners tests at other locations as well, and our full schedule may be viewed here: https://www.laurelvec.com/index.php?team=CARET
PRE-REGISTER ON A SEPARATE WEBSITE:
https://hamstudy.org/sessions/laurel/29407/inperson.
Pre-registration on HamStudy.org is required in order to test with us. Be sure to check the location of the test so you sign up for the correct one with the date/time/location you want.
Due to space limitations, the test session is limited to a small number of candidates. There is no time limit on the exams; most people finish in under 30 minutes.
The FCC requires you to have an FRN (FCC Registration Number) and to provide an email address in order to apply for an amateur radio license. If you do not already have an FRN, the pre-registration process will help you obtain one.
There are three levels of amateur radio licenses currently available in the United States: Technician Class (lowest level of privileges), General Class, and Amateur Extra Class (highest level). To earn or upgrade your license, you must pass a written multiple choice test. The entire question pool for each test level including questions and multiple choice answers is published and available for free on the internet so that you may study. Many websites and apps will create practice tests for you to help you study, including HamStudy.org, HamExam.org, and many others. We recommend you find a free one whose interface you like and take practice tests until you are consistently passing them.
Element 2, the test for the Technician Class license, is 35 multiple choice questions. You must get 26 questions correct to pass.
Element 3, the test for the General Class license, is 35 multiple choice questions. You must get 26 questions correct to pass.
Element 4, the test for the Amateur Extra Class license, is 50 multiple choice questions. You must get 37 questions correct to pass.
Our testing team is the Charleston Amateur Radio Exam Team (CARET), and we are part of the Laurel VEC. Laurel VEC is one of a handful of organizations which the FCC permits to administer amateur radio exams on its behalf. Unlike other VECs, Laurel VEC is wholly comprised of volunteers. We volunteer our time, and we pay for our own materials. Therefore, there is NO CHARGE for your amateur radio license exam. This saves you $12 - $15 per test as compared to other VECs' testing teams.
Congress has mandated that the FCC charge for amateur radio licenses. The $35 fee will cover the 10-year license term, after which it may be renewed for the same fee. You will pay this fee directly to the FCC after you pass your test with us.
If you have questions about the amateur radio license exams or how to pre-register for them, you may email Connie NR4CB, team leader of CARET: NR4CB.VE (at) gmail.com.
