Upgrading an your Novice or Technician license to General or Extra?
Click here to go to a summary of restructuring possibilities
Click here to go to special upgrade notes
Please note:
The Anchorage ARC VEC, Inc. offers testing only for residents of the State of Alaska. If you live in another state, please try one of the following groups. They offer testing in most of the remaining states. Please contact either the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) or the W5YI Group for more information about testing in your area.
What you will need:
Please bring the following items:
(1) A copy of your Amateur Radio license: A copy of your license must be submitted with your application, and it will not be returned. Obviously, if you are new to Amateur Radio and have not yet received your first license, you can skip this requirement. A photocopy (Xerox) is completely satisfactory and is preferred, as opposed to leaving us an original document. If you have misplaced your license, see the notes at the bottom of this page for information on what to do.
Instant upgrade to General Class for some older Technician Class licenses! See notes section, below.
(2) The original (top) copy of any CSCE forms: If you have one or more Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) forms, be sure you bring the original (top) copy to show to the examiners. CSCE forms are used to prove you have passed an element. You keep the CSCE form until such time as you receive a license. CSCE forms are valid for one year from their issue date.
Also: Please bring us a photocopy of the CSCE form so we can submit it with your package. The original version will be returned to you when the session ends, but we will still need to see it.
(3) Appropriate identification: A photo ID card is preferred. Most persons use their Alaska Drivers License. If you do not have a license, any other sort of ID will do, such as a State of Alaska ID card, a voter registration card, a fishing license, or a similar item.
(4) Social Security Number or ULS ID Number. We are required to submit either your Social Security Account Number (SSAN) or your ULS (Universal Licensing System) ID number with your application. If you prefer not to give us your SSAN, then you may use your ULS ID number, if you have one. For instructions on how to register with the ULS, visit the ARRL web site at: http://www.arrl.org/fcc/uls101.html The FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) requires that a valid SSAN or TIN be supplied before a license can be issued or upgraded. We cannot process applications that lack a SSAN, TIN, or FCC/ULS License ID number. We strongly recommend using a SSAN if at all possible, to insure that the application gets processed properly.
Visitors and non-resident aliens: Persons who are not US citizens (tourists from other countries or resident aliens working in the USA) must have a USA mailing address, which is where your new license will be sent, and will be the address the FCC uses to contact you if the need arises. Licenses will not be issued if a non-USA mailing address is given! Also, visitors and resident aliens will still need to have a TIN (or SSAN) before their application can be filed. Applicants needing an assigned TIN should contact FCC Technical Support at 202-414-1250; or send an e-mail to: ulscomm@fcc.gov Visitors from other countries (tourists) are eligible for FCC licenses.
Why do we need a SSAN or TIN? SSAN’s are required for all government actions by law. This law is commonly known as "The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996." Congress enacted the Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA) as part of an effort to increase collection of delinquent government debts. As a result of the DCIA, the Commission and other executive agencies are required to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) from each entity doing business with a Federal agency, including applicants for, or recipients of, a Federal license or permit. Even though amateur licenses and renewals are free, the law still requires the FCC to collect this information. There are no exceptions.
(5) Optional items: You may bring a calculator to work formulas and numeric problems. If your calculator is the type that has stored programs, you must show the examiner that you have completely cleared all programs and erased it's memory before you may use it.
All I need to do is renew my license. What do I need?
If all you need to do is to renew your license, there are 2 ways to go about it. The first, and easiest, way is to do it on-line, via the FCC's ULS (Universal Licensing System). If you prefer not to do it this way, then you can bring a filled-out NCVEC form 605 to the next testing session in your area, and we will file the paperwork for you. You will need to supply us with either your Social Security number (SSAN) or your ULS ID number before we can send in your renewal.
Note that renewals may only be done within 90 days of the date your license is scheduled to expire. Attempting to file for renewal before that date will only result in a rejection from the FCC.
To learn more about doing your own renewal via the ULS system site, click here
To print a copy of NCVEC form 605, click here
Lost your license? In the event you have misplaced your license, or it was destroyed accidentally, you can get a letter from the FCC verifying that you do indeed have a license. You could also access your license information on a standard web database, such as the one found at: QRZ.COM . In such a case, simply print the page as displayed on the web site, and bring it to us. We will independently verify that your data is correct, and if everything is OK, then we're all set. See also the note about ITS, Inc. ( the FCC database contractor), below.
Special note for persons who were issued a Technician Class license issued before March 21, 1987: If you still have a valid Technician or Tech Plus license, and were issued a Technician class license before 03/21/87, you are qualified for an "instant upgrade" to General Class. No further examination is necessary! Simply bring us a copy of both your current license and your old license, showing an expiration date on or before March 20, 1997 (which means the license would have been issued before 03/21/87). If you no longer have your original license, you can get a letter from the FCC verifying your information. You can also check the QRZ.COM database. They have a 1993 listing (the earliest available), and if your name is there, with an expiration date before 03/20/97, print the page and bring it to us. Also, you might find an old Callbook (1986 edition or earlier). If you do, and your name and call are listed, copy that page and bring it in. All of these are acceptable as proof of being licensed in the applicable time period. As always, anything other than an actual license will be subject to independent verification.
Special note for persons who were issued a Technician Class license issued before February 14, 1991: If you were issued a Technician Class license prior to 02/14/1991, you may claim credit for Element 1 (5 WPM code) simply by showing us a copy of your license, or proof of having such a license. Even if the license has expired, it may still be used for code credit. Note, however, that you will still have to pass Element 3 to upgrade to a General Class license, and both elements 3 and 4 to upgrade to a Extra Class license. If you no longer have a copy of your Technician class license showing an issue date on or before 02/14/1991, then you can obtain proof of your status by contacting either the FCC or ITS (next 2 paragraphs).
FCC: The FCC says to send any requests, in writing, for verification of either a pre-March 21, 1987 Technician license , or a Technician license issued before 02/14/1991, depending on whether you are claiming credit for both elements 1 and 3, or just element 1, to FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, ATTN: Amateur Section, Gettysburg, PA 17325. The request must include name, address, telephone number, date of birth, call sign issued at that time, and when the Technician license was granted (if exact date is not known, give the approximate timeframe). The FCC asks those inquiring to include any information that may be helpful in researching these requests, but it does not need to know details of the examination session, such as where the test was administered or who gave it. These requests will take some time. Do not expect immediate response.
ITS Inc.: You also may contact ITS Inc. For a fee, ITS will research prior licensing records and should be able to provide you with the necessary documentary proof. ITS recommends calling them at 717-337-1433 to place an order for "verification of a pre-March 21, 1987, Technician Class amateur license", or "verification of a pre-February 1991 Technician Class amateur license", depending on your particular situation. E-mail requests are not recommended. The verification letter you receive will be on FCC stationery and stamped with the FCC seal. The ITS Web site is located at: http://www.itsdocs.com/.
Very important! Special notes for Technician and Tech Plus licensees wishing to upgrade to General or Extra Class: (also - see the summary of upgrade possibilities following this section)
There are several factors that concern holders of current Technician and Tech Plus licenses that should be considered.
Briefly:
(1) Credit for Element 1 (5 WPM code) may be claimed by persons holding either an unexpired Tech Plus license, or a CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) issued not longer than 365 days previously. If a CSCE has expired, it may no longer be used to claim code credit.
(2) Also, according to current FCC policy, no new Tech Plus licenses are being issued, and current Tech Plus licenses will revert to ordinary "Technician" upon renewal. Expired Tech Plus licenses may not be used to claim credit for Element 1.
(3) There have been several petitions and requests for additional rulemaking filed with the FCC concerning these matters. Until new or modified rules have been issued, if either your CSCE for Element 1 or your Tech Plus license has expired, you will have to take the code test again before upgrading to General or Extra Class.
And in more detail:
There are several considerations involved in receiving credit for Element 1 (5 WPM Code):
First, if a person holds a Technician (not Tech Plus) license, and takes and passes the 5 WPM code, the licensee is allowed to use the Novice CW bands on 80,40, 15 and 10 meters, and the 10 meter voice sub-band allocated for holders of Tech Plus licenses indefinitely, or at least as long as those special sub-bands are retained. There has been no word on if or when these frequencies might be reallocated.
Second, no new Tech Plus licenses are being issued, and when a current Tech Plus license is renewed, it will revert to Technician. If an applicant takes and passes the 5 WPM code after April 15, 2000, he or she will be issued a CSCE form for Element 1. The CSCE is valid for 365 days, just like any other CSCE. If the applicant wishes, he or she may use the code sub bands indefinitely, but the CSCE itself is only valid for one year. In other words, the applicant must upgrade to General or Extra within 1 year (365 days) of the issue date on the CSCE.
If more than 365 days have elapsed since the issuance of the CSCE, it becomes invalid, and may not be used to claim code credit for upgrading to General or Extra Class. In such an instance, the examinee must again take and pass the 5 WPM Element 1 code exam before an upgrade to General or Extra Class can be accomplished.
Finally, according to current FCC policies, no new Tech Plus licenses will be issued, even if the applicant has passed Element 1. Also, existing Tech Plus licenses, when renewed, will no longer say "Tech Plus" but will revert to ordinary "Technician", as far as the FCC furnished license document is concerned. The FCC database will likewise be changed to "T" (Technician) from "P" (Tech Plus) designator upon renewal. Thus, the licensee will need to retain his or her Tech Plus license, or CSCE form, whichever is applicable, even if it has expired in order to prove that he or she has passed Element 1, and is entitled to use the "Novice" CW sub-bands or the "Tech Plus" portion of the 10 meter voice band.
A Summary of Restructuring Upgrade Possibilities
We emphasize that no one will lose any current Amateur Radio privileges as a result of the FCC's "restructuring" order. There is no need to upgrade if you are happy with your current privileges, and no one's license class will be "downgraded" if that individual chooses not to upgrade now or later. Also note that there are no automatic upgrades. All who claim prior test element credit with a CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) or a previously issued license must show a copy of their credit(s) to the VE team at an exam session. Photocopies are acceptable for license documents, but only the original copy of a CSCE is acceptable.
Below is a summary
of some of the upgrading possibilities afforded by the FCC's Report
and Order of December 30,
1999.
Special note about older exam elements:
Note that all CSCE's for the "old" versions (prior to April 15, 2000) of theory elements 2 (Novice), 3A (Technician), 3B (General), 4A (Advanced) and 4B (Extra) have now expired, and can no longer be used to claim credit for these elements when upgrading.
This is also true for Morse code elements 1A, 1B and 1C (5, 13, and 20 WPM). If you hold a CSCE for any of these elements, it may not be used to claim code credit - you will have to take the 5 WPM code test again if your CSCE has expired and you have not upgraded to at least General class.
Please note that expired CSCE's for any code element can still be used as authorization to operate in the former "Novice" CW segments of the 80, 40, 15, and 10 meter bands, and for voice operating between 28,300 and 28,500 KHz, but they no longer count for exam credit.
Upgrading to Amateur Extra Class Without 13 or 20 WPM Morse Code Testing
Advanced: With no further code testing, to upgrade to Extra on or after 04/15/2000, you must take and pass Element 4 on or after 04/15/2000.
General: With no further code
testing, to upgrade to Extra on or after 04/15/2000, you must
take and pass Element 4 after 04/15/2000.
Technician Plus or Technician with 5 WPM or higher Morse code credit: To upgrade to Extra on or after 04/15/2000 with no further code testing, you must pass Elements 3 and 4. Also: remember, from the notes above, that Technicians able to document passing the Technician/General written examination before March 21, 1987, can present this proof as credit for Element 3 on or after 04/15/2000.
Technician (no Morse code credit): To upgrade to Extra on or after 04/15/2000, you must have taken and passed the Element 1, which is the 5 words per minute code exam, plus all the remaining theory elements required. (See "Technician Plus", above).
Other Upgrade Examples
Technician Plus or Technician with 5 WPM or higher Morse code credit desiring to upgrade to General: With no further code testing, you must pass Element 3 on or after 04/15/2000. Grandfather credit is also acceptable, per above.
Technician desiring to gain Novice/Tech HF privileges: You may pass the 5 WPM (Element 1) code test at any time, before or after April 15, 2000.
Novice desiring to upgrade to General: You must pass both Elements 2 and 3 on or after 04/15/2000. Note that the Element 2 credit does not carry over from your Novice license after 04/15/2000, because the "new" Element 2 now contains some information from the "old" Element 3A, which was not in the "old" Element 2. In the same manner, the "new" Element 3 no longer contains all of the information from the "old" Element 3A, so it also must be taken.
Novice desiring to upgrade to Technician with HF privileges: You must pass Element 2 on or after 04/15/2000.
Click here for additional notes and information.
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Where to find study materials for the written tests.
Learning the Morse Code - tools and techniques.
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Volunteer Examiners Instruction Manual