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   MSGID: 578.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 2914be42   
   PID: Synchronet 3.20a-Win32 master/777fb6d8b Jun 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 master/777fb6d8b Jun 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
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   For what you'll need to bring to an exam session to take the exam, go to   
   https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session -- failure to bring   
   the needed items may result in you being DENIED taking the exam.   
      
   As a note, cheating in any form, is NOT tolerated...and you could forever   
   lose your chance to get an amateur radio license...never mind the examiners   
   could lose their licenses and accreditation FOR LIFE, if they certify an   
   exam fraudulently. Plus, every examinee at that session will have to take   
   the exam again, either under another VE Team, or in front of the FCC. In   
   short, if you have studied well, you should have no problem in passing the   
   exam(s).   
      
   Note that prior to the exam session, you must go to the FCC CORES website,   
   to obtain a Federal Registration Number or FRN. You can NOT use your Social   
   Security Number on the NCVEC Form 605 at the exam session...and that form   
   MUST be dated July, 2022 or later. You can obtain such by going to   
   www.ncvec.org -- then look for the link on the lower left side of the   
   page, that notes 2022 NCVEC 605 Form. Any version prior to that will   
   result in a DELAY in processing your license application or upgrade.   
      
   Plus, at an exam session, one must answer whether or not they have been   
   convicted of a felony in state or federal court. A "YES" answer is NOT   
   an "automatic disqualification", but it depends on the circumstances   
   surrounding the conviction. For further details on this, go to   
   https://www.arrl.org/fcc-qualification-question   
      
   As of April 19, 2022, there is now a $35 fee that must be paid to the FCC,   
   within 10 days of the exam, for a new or renewed ham radio license, or for   
   a Vanity Callsign Request. There is NO FEE for a LICENSE UPGRADE or for a   
   Sequential Callsign Request. For more information on the $35 fee, go to   
   https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee -- that $35 fee is payable direct   
   to the FCC, and NOT to the VE Team. Once the fee is paid, the FCC will send   
   you a link to download your license, within 30 days.   
      
   Note that depending on the VEC, an exam fee may be charged. For ARRL/VEC,   
   as of 2023, it's $15, per exam element. If you pass an exam, you can take   
   the next exam in line for free. However, if you fail, you can re-take the   
   same exam element, with a DIFFERENT set of questions, for another $15, or   
   whatever the exam fee is.   
      
   Once you receive your callsign from the amateur radio agency for your   
   country, you're the ONLY one in the world with that specific callsign.   
      
   As of Feb. 17, 2015, the FCC is NO LONGER ISSUING PAPER LICENSES to   
   amateur radio operators. However, one will be able to logon to the FCC ULS    
   website on the internet at https://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home   
   using their Federal Registration Number and password, and either print an   
   "official copy" for ones shack (and ones wallet), or an "unofficial   
   reference copy", to show at a future license exam session, if you decide   
   to upgrade your license, so you can get proper credit, and not have to   
   take that exam again.   
      
   For information on how to obtain a copy of your license, go to   
   https://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy   
      
   You won't have a choice in the first callsign that you get...but you   
   can apply for a new sequential callsign at no charge...or choose your a   
   vanity callsign. The format of the callsign is limited by both the current   
   license class that you hold, and if such a callsign is available.   
      
   As of April 19, 2022, there is a $35 fee for each vanity callsign request   
   made...and, there is an 18 to 21 day waiting period (sometimes longer)   
   once you apply for the vanity callsign, and to when it is issued. Once   
   the new vanity callsign is issued, your former callsign is no longer valid   
   for use on the air.   
      
   So, before you apply for a vanity callsign, be sure that you want to   
   CHANGE your current callsign. Note that once you're issued your first   
   callsign by the FCC, it will NOT change, UNLESS you request such.   
      
   Also, you are NOT REQUIRED to change your callsign, or upgrade your ham   
   radio license. If you are happy with both, keep them. Even with just a   
   Technician Class license, and many of the digital modes (especially if   
   operating "internet radio"), you can still talk around the world.   
      
   Unfortunately, not every amateur radio operator has passed a license   
   exam on the first try...and for some, it takes a large amount of tries   
   to pass their exam. However, it must be stressed that there is NO   
   DISGRACE IN FAILING an exam. But, once you do pass the exam (even if   
   just barely), as far as anyone else is concerned...once you have your   
   callsign, you made a perfect score on the test(s) the first time (even   
   if that's untrue). Besides, it's no one else's business on what your   
   score was, how many times it took you to pass the exam, etc.    
      
   Examinees who are disabled in some way, or who may have learning   
   disabilities, or other issues...can request special exam accommodations   
   at the exam session. However, they must contact the Exam Session Leader   
   as far in advance of the exam session as possible, so that proper   
   arrangements can be made...such as large print exam books, or reading   
   of the exams to them, with the examinee telling the examiner which   
   answers to mark on the answer sheet, or even giving a test at the   
   examinees home...or even in their hospital room. Medical documentation   
   may be required, if the disability is not obvious.   
      
   As noted, the VE Team can "make a house call" to the residence of the   
   examinee, if serious medical issues are present...but the examinee will   
   have to still provide photo ID, the exam fee, and other items, as noted   
   noted at https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session   
      
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