Folsom Ham Exams

Folsom Rainbow Bridge

Welcome to the information page for the amateur radio exam sessions led by the Folsom Volunteer Examiners Team!

Starting in June 2023: Registration for the Folsom ham exams has moved from the old paper-based system to online registration. The reason for this is so people may get their licenses in a few days rather than a few weeks.

To get priority check-in at the exam session, register online before the exam:

  1. Find the exam dates and register for the date you want to attend. The registration page gives details on when and where the exams are:

    https://hamstudy.org/sessions/folsom-ve

  2. The registration confirmation email will have details on how to pay. We accept PayPal. The fee is $15. For minors (under 18 years of age), the fee is $5.

    To make the exam check-in run smoothly, please pay before arriving at the exam.

  3. Bring your government-issued photo ID to the exam session and take the exam. Optional: Bring a calculator.
  4. Within a few days of passing, look in your email Inbox (or Spam folder) for an email from FCC. This will tell you how to pay the $35 FCC fee at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do. The fee must be paid within 10 days of receiving the email from FCC.

  5. After your call sign has been issued, get on the air!


More Details About Preparing
for an Exam Session



Thank you for your interest in our Ham Radio license exam sessions. Please continue reading for more details. If you still have questions, contact us for additional information.

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming exam.

How to Know You are Ready:

We recommend taking practice exams from any of the following web sites (in no particular order):

https://www.aa9pw.com/amateur-radio-exam-practice/
http://www.eham.net/exams/
https://hamstudy.org/
http://www.qrz.com/hamtest/

If you are routinely passing practice exams in the mid to high 90% range, you should have no trouble passing the real exam.

What to Expect During the Exam:

If you have pre-registered and paid:
  • We will check your ID, and verify the suitability of your calculator.

  • We will give you an exam and answer sheet so you can take the exam. There is no time limit.

  • When you are finished, bring your papers to the check-in desk for grading.

  • We'll walk you through electronically signing your papers, and then we'll electronically sign them.

  • We'll email you a copy of your CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) form. This is your proof that you have passed the exam. We encourage you not to leave before receiving this email.

If you have NOT pre-registered:
  • Please expect to be checked in last since we'll give priority to people who have pre-registered.

  • Bring your ID and Federal Registration Number (FRN). A FRN is required to take a Ham Radio exam. You may bring a calculator.

  • You'll pay through PayPal. If you don't have that, bring $15 cash.

  • We'll work with you to get you registered for the exam.

  • After that, it's the same as the steps above for taking the exam, etc.

If you currently have a ham radio license and are coming to take an upgrade exam, it is no longer required to bring a copy of your current license.

What to Expect After the Exam:

If you don't already have a call sign:
 
Within a few days of passing, look in your email Inbox (or Spam folder) for an email from FCC. This will tell you how to pay the $35 FCC fee at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do. The fee must be paid within 10 days of receiving the email from FCC. After you pay the fee, your call sign should be emailed to you by the FCC. Once you have a call sign, you are good to get on the air. You may print a paper copy of your license using the same web site. The FCC no longer mails them.

If you already have a license:
 
You can use your new privileges right away. If you are using your new privileges, add "/AG" (if you're a new General) or "/AE" (if you're a new Extra) to the end of your call sign. Do this until your new license class shows up on the FCC's web site at http://www.fcc.gov/uls.

Exam Fee:

The exam fee is $15.00.  For minors (under 18 years of age), the fee is $5. Please pre-register and then you'll be emailed instructions with how to pay the fee on PayPal.

This fee entitles you to take each license class exam 1 time. To retake a failed exam requires paying the exam fee again.

We forward the fees to the ARRL, minus any expenses. We are volunteers. We don't get paid, and we don't keep any of the fees for ourselves.

Identification:

  • Government issued photo ID such as driver's license or passport.

  • Or any two of the following:

    • Non-photo ID or driver's license.

    • Social Security Card.

    • Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal).

    • Minor's work permit, school ID card, school report card, or library card.

    • Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person.

    • Postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the license application Form 605.

If You Have an Expired Ham Radio License:

If your license expired less then 2 years ago:
 
If you have a license that expired less then 2 years ago, you can simply renew your license at the the FCC's web site at http://www.fcc.gov/uls. You will need your FRN number and password. Note that you cannot operate with an expired license.

If your license expired more then 2 years ago::
 
If you have a license above Technician class that expired more then 2 years ago, you must bring proof of the prior license. Bring a copy to the exam session so it can be submitted with you paperwork. If you have questions, contact us before the exam session to see if we can figure out your unique circumstances.

You will get a new call sign, but if your prior call sign is available, you can apply for it through the vanity call sign program.

Note that a prior Advance class license becomes a General class license because Advance class licenses are no longer issued by the FCC.

Contact Information:

Barri Babow, NW6Q
bearcares916(at)gmail.com

 
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Last updated 2023-07-15