The AARC VE Team conducts amateur radio license exams under the coordination of the Laurel Amateur radio Club Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) on the second Saturday of every month. Registration takes place between 12:00 - 1:00 pm and exams start at or shortly after 1:00pm. All amateur radio exams conducted by the VE Teams of the Laurel VEC are FREE. Contact Bob/AA3RR aa3rr@ki3ds.org for more information and to pre-register. Dates, times and locations of other exams coordinated by the Laurel VEC can be found at the Laurel VEC site http://www.larcmd.org/vec
Directions to the Anne Arundel Radio Club Click here
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What to Bring to the Exam Session
1. A positive attitude and some patience. The Volunteer Examiners administering the exams are dedicated volunteers. They will do their best to get you tested, your exam graded, inform you of the results, and if applicable, prepare and present to you a certificate stating you’ve earned a license or an upgrade, as quickly as possible.
2. For a first- ever license or getting back into the hobby after your license has expired beyond the grace period.
a. Photo ID - No photo ID - NO EXAM
b. Element credits (If applicable). No original copy - NO EXAM
(1) Original and a copy of your expired pre-21 March 1987 Technician license - You get credit for the Element 3 exam (General written).
(2) Original and a copy of a letter from the FCC confirming you previously held a specific class of license for which you will be given credit for the Element 3 exam.
(3) Original and a copy of an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicated which credit(s) you've earned.
Note: The Laurel VEC (and the AARC VE Team) DOES NOT accept pages from a call book as proof of anything.
3. Upgrading your current, unexpired license.
a. Photo ID - No photo ID - NO EXAM
b. Your current original, unexpired license and a copy - No original copy - NO EXAM
c. Element credits (If applicable, one or more of the following): No original copy - NO EXAM
(1) Original and a copy of your expired pre-21 March 1987 Technician license - You get credit for the Element 1 exam (Morse code) and the Element 3 exam (General written).
(2) Original and a copy of a letter from the FCC confirming you previously held a specific class of license for which you will be given credit for the Element 3 exam.
(3) Original and a copy of an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicated which credit(s) you've earned.
Note: The Laurel VEC (and the AARC VE Team) DOES NOT accept pages from a call book as proof of anything.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to take an amateur license exam?
All exam sessions conducted by Laurel VEC-sponsored VE Teams are free.
2. What materials should I use to prepare for the exam?
There are study materials available from several places. Our very informal survey indicates that the materials produced by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) are the most popular because they provide easily understandable explanations of the material plus they provide additional non-testable but very useful information. You can also use on-line practice exams to check your progress. There are several sites available but here are two good ones:
3. Why do I have to provide my social security number to get my ham license?
Congress passed a law to track down people who owe the government money. That law requires anyone applying for or renewing any federally issued license to provide their social security number. You can acquire a FCC Registration Number (FRN) which can be used in lieu of your social security number (https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do).
4. Do I need to bring my own pencils, papers, etc?
No. Well, maybe the “etcâ€. Everything you will need such as pencils, scratch paper and calculators will be provided.
5. Can I use a calculator?
Yes. We will provide a calculator for you to use. However, if you bring your own calculator and it is a programmable calculator it must be un-programmed. In other words, the memory must be cleared (Note: We usually put them in our microwave on high for 30 seconds to clear the memory. The memory gets cleared but unfortunately they don't seem to work very well after that.)
6. What do I need to bring to the Exam session?
a. A positive attitude and some patience. The Volunteer Examiners administering the exams are dedicated volunteers. They will do their best to get you tested, your exam graded, inform you of the results, and if applicable, prepare and present to you a certificate stating you've earned a license or an upgrade, as quickly as possible.
b. For a first- ever license or getting back into the hobby after your license expired beyond the grace period.
(1) Photo ID - No photo ID - NO EXAM
(2) Element credits (If applicable). No original copy - NO EXAM
(a) Original and a copy of your expired pre-21 March 1987 Technician license - You get credit for the Element 3 exam (General written).
(b) Original and a copy of a letter from the FCC confirming you previously held a specific class of license for which you will be given credit for the Element 3 exam.
(c) Original and a copy of an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicated which credit(s) you've earned.
Note: The Laurel VEC (and the AARC VE Team) DOES NOT accept pages from a call book as proof of anything.
c. Upgrading your current, unexpired license.
(1) Photo ID - No photo ID - NO EXAM
(2) Your current original, unexpired license and a copy - No original copy - NO EXAM
(3) Element credits (If applicable, one or more of the following): No original copy - NO EXAM
(a) Original and a copy of your expired pre-21 March 1987 Technician license - You get credit for the Element 1 exam (Morse code) and the Element 3 exam (General written).
(b) Original and a copy of a letter from the FCC confirming you previously held a specific class of license for which you will be given credit for the Element 3 exam.
(c) Original and a copy of an unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicated which credit(s) you've earned.
Note: The Laurel VEC (and the AARC VE Team) DOES NOT accept pages from a call book as proof of anything.
7. What will the test session be like?
The sessions will vary somewhat due to the teams and the facilities where the test is conducted. Unfortunately, beer and pizza are not served. However, the session will generally be conducted as follows:
a. Registration - Upon your arrival you must register or complete the registration process if you pre-registered.
(1) You will be given a folder with a number in the upper right corner - this is your Control Number (try to remember that number). Inside the folder are two forms you need to complete and a survey. When you have completed the forms (You will complete only part one of each form) return to the registrar.
(2) You will be asked to provide a photo ID
(3) If you are taking an exam to upgrade an existing license, you must show the original version of your current, unexpired license and to provide a copy.
(4) If you have any other applicable documentation (e.g., current, unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE), FCC letter indicating grandfathered credit(s), etc) you must show the original version of that documentation and provide a copy of each.
b. Pre-exam instructions - You will be given some pre-exam instructions regarding the use of calculators, procedures for asking questions, rules for taking the exam, bathroom breaks during the exam, etc.
c. The exam - The Technician and General exams are 35 multiple question exams and you must correctly answer 26 questions in order to pass (74.2%). The Amateur Extra exam is 50 multiple choice questions and passing is 37 correct (74%).
(1) You will be given a test booklet that is " color coded" - the color of the folder indicates the class of the exam (Blue = Technician, Red = General and Purple = Amateur Extra). On the front of the exam booklet in the upper right corner is the exam version number (e.g., TRR-601C, GRR-708F, ERR-203L, etc) which tells us which answer key to use to grade your exam. That information is also on the first page of the exam booklet. Please DO NOT WRITE IN THE EXAM BOOKLET!
(2) You will be given an answer sheet on which to mark your answers. On the answer sheet you need to print and sign your name. You must indicate which exam element you are taking (2 = Technician, 3 = General and 4 = Amateur Extra), the exam version (e.g., TRR-602C, GRR-704F, ERR-201Y, etc) and your control number (e.g., 01, 03, 07, etc).
(3) Once you have completed the admin portion of the answer sheet you may open your exam booklet and immediately begin the exam.
(4) When you are done, raise your hand and a VE will pick up your exam materials and your answer sheet will be graded. Please quietly return to the general seating area.
d. Grading - Once you've completed your exam, it will be graded and you will be informed of the results. If you pass you will receive a Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicating which element(s) you've passed and if appropriate, which license class you've earned. If you didn't pass the exam, the VEs may, at their discretion, allow you to take a second exam.
Note: The VE team will strive to score your test, inform you of the results, and process your paperwork as quickly as possible. The size of the test session and the number of VEs on-hand will be factors in how quickly this gets done. Please be patient. If there are any problems, please speak to the VE Team Leader who will try to resolve the problems and answer any questions.
8. What happens if I fail the exam?
On the way to the test site you will pass a cemetery. The last three people who failed their exam are living there now. Just kidding.
By FCC rules and VEC instructions, we are not required to re-test you if you fail. However, what we will do is look at your test results. If you missed passing the Technician or General exams by 1-3 questions or if you missed passing the Amateur Extra exam by 3-4 questions and if the VEs think you have a chance of passing, we will give you another test.
Unfortunately we cannot tell you which questions you failed or which sub elements with which you had trouble.
9. Do I have to pass a Morse code test to get my ham license?
No. There is no longer a requirement for Morse code testing.
10. How soon after I pass my exam can I start operating?
If you have earned your initial license no matter which class of license, you have to wait until the FCC grants you a license and it is displayed in their data base.
If you are upgrading an existing license you may use your new privileges when you are given your Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) at the end of the exam session.
