Get Your Ham License

This page outlines the steps required to obtain an amateur radio license from the FCC.

Get Your Ham Radio License

Getting an Amateur Radio (“ham radio”) license in the United States is straightforward: study, take a short exam, and receive your FCC callsign. The entry point for most people is the Technician license.

Bluffton Radio Club can help.
We offer regular training classes and we also conduct VE (Volunteer Examiner) test sessions so you can learn and test locally.

Which License Should You Get?

In the U.S., there are three license classes: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Most new hams start with Technician, then upgrade to General for broader HF (worldwide) privileges. ARRL’s step-by-step overview is a great summary: Getting Licensed – Step by Step.

The Step-by-Step Process

1) Study for the Technician exam

The Technician exam is a 35-question multiple-choice test covering basic radio theory, FCC regulations, and operating practices. (ARRL overview: Getting Your Technician License.)

2) Create an FCC CORES account and get your FRN

Before you test, you’ll typically need an FCC Registration Number (FRN). You create a CORES username, then register for a new FRN. Start here: FCC CORES – Register for a New FRN.

Tip: Save your FRN and bring it to your exam session.

3) Take the exam (VE session)

Exams are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) under an FCC-recognized Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC). You’ll need a legal photo ID, and there may be an exam session fee depending on the exam team. ARRL’s checklist is here: What to Bring to an Exam Session.

4) Pay the FCC application fee when prompted

After a successful exam, the FCC will prompt you to pay an application fee in CORES before the license is granted. The FCC’s fee information page is here: FCC – Personal Service and Amateur Application Fees.

5) Receive your callsign and get on the air

Once the FCC processes your application, your callsign will appear in the FCC licensing system and you’ll be ready to operate. If you want a simple, beginner-friendly roadmap, ARRL’s licensing hub is a good starting point: ARRL – Getting Licensed.

How Bluffton Radio Club Helps You Succeed

  • Training classes for new hams (Technician-focused, with a clear path to General)
  • Local VE test sessions so you can take your exam close to home
  • Mentoring (“Elmering”): guidance on radios, antennas, repeaters, and first contacts
  • Help getting started on VHF/UHF and making your first on-air contacts
A simple plan that works:
Study a little each day, take practice tests, then sit for a local VE session. Most new hams can be ready in a few weeks.

Next Steps

Create an account, then reach out for upcoming class dates and VE session details.

Create a Free Account Contact Us for Class & VE Dates

Already licensed? Ask us about upgrading from Technician to General.

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