The purpose of this group is to administer the FCC exams to those interested in becoming a Radio Amateur or a “HAM”. We are ARRL affiliated, comprised only of ARRL certified Volunteer Examiners. All of our team members volunteer and receive no payment what so ever for volunteering their time and expertise. Our team requires no dues, and only meet to give exams. The only requirement to join is to be an ARRL certified VE and a desire to help those entering the hobby. Email cw4evr@hctc.net if you would like to join this team and are willing to participate in the exam sessions.
Our testing site is at the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club station located at 3832 Riverside Drive, which is next to the Hill Country Youth Center. Look for the Antennas.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT EXAM SESSIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION
Email Addresses REQUIRED: After June 29, 2021 all applications are required to contain an email address for FCC correspondence. Applicants will receive an email direct from the FCC with a link to the official electronic copy of their license whenever a license is issued or changed. ARRL VEC suggests that those without access to email to use the email address of a family member or friend. Licensees will be able to log in to the ULS using their FRN and password to download the latest version of their license at any time. The FCC no longer provides paper license documents.
What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session:
1. MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM
FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration page and the FCC's Registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form to recieve FCC correspondence, including the official copy of your Amateur Radio license.
2. One legal photo ID (identification):
a. State Driver’s License
b. Government issued Passport
c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
d. Student School Photo ID card
e. State Photo ID card
3. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. Social security card
d. Employer's wage statement or Minor's work permit
e. School ID card
f. School or Public Library card
g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 605.
4. Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the
above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise
two non-photo IDs are required. ARRL will cover the one-time FCC
application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years
old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program.
Candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam
session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam.
Visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage for more
information and for the reimbursement instructions.
Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the
room by an adult during the test.
5. If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license
or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database.
Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the
following sources: the official license or reference license printed
from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website
or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates
of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from
previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by
the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The
candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team
but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC.
Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the
VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned.
Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on
our Obtain License Copy web page.
6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions.
7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed.
You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free
of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during
the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used.
In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices
and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT
be used.
8. Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee. Currently $15.
If paying by check or money order, make payable to "ARRL VEC".
9. Be aware that some information about you will be made publicly available
on the FCC's website (FCC Licensee Privacy) including a felony conviction
status. All applicants must answer the Basic Qualification Question (felony
conviction status question) on the 605 Form at the exam session.
Applicants must follow these FCC procedures.
Our testing site is at the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club station located at 3832 Riverside Drive, which is next to the Hill Country Youth Center. Look for the Antennas.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT EXAM SESSIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION
Email Addresses REQUIRED: After June 29, 2021 all applications are required to contain an email address for FCC correspondence. Applicants will receive an email direct from the FCC with a link to the official electronic copy of their license whenever a license is issued or changed. ARRL VEC suggests that those without access to email to use the email address of a family member or friend. Licensees will be able to log in to the ULS using their FRN and password to download the latest version of their license at any time. The FCC no longer provides paper license documents.
What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session:
1. MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM
FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration page and the FCC's Registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form to recieve FCC correspondence, including the official copy of your Amateur Radio license.
2. One legal photo ID (identification):
a. State Driver’s License
b. Government issued Passport
c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
d. Student School Photo ID card
e. State Photo ID card
3. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. Social security card
d. Employer's wage statement or Minor's work permit
e. School ID card
f. School or Public Library card
g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 605.
4. Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the
above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise
two non-photo IDs are required. ARRL will cover the one-time FCC
application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years
old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program.
Candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam
session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam.
Visit the Youth Licensing Grant Program webpage for more
information and for the reimbursement instructions.
Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the
room by an adult during the test.
5. If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license
or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database.
Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the
following sources: the official license or reference license printed
from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website
or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates
of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from
previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by
the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The
candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team
but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC.
Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the
VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned.
Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on
our Obtain License Copy web page.
6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions.
7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed.
You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session.
Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free
of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during
the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used.
In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices
and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT
be used.
8. Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee. Currently $15.
If paying by check or money order, make payable to "ARRL VEC".
9. Be aware that some information about you will be made publicly available
on the FCC's website (FCC Licensee Privacy) including a felony conviction
status. All applicants must answer the Basic Qualification Question (felony
conviction status question) on the 605 Form at the exam session.
Applicants must follow these FCC procedures.
