VE Sessions

– – Updated June 3, 2023 – –

Upcoming sessions – 2023

August 5th,  October 7th,  December 2nd

Future Dates: 2024

February 3rd,  April 6th,  June 8th,  August 3rd,  October 5th,  December 7th

*** Always Check the website for the latest information ***

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at KB8UUZ@gmail.com  On behalf of the VE team at PCARS, we all look forward to seeing you at the PCARS club site in Ravenna so you can take your license test. Face masks are not State/County mandated at this time, but you are always welcome to wear one.

PCARS VE sessions are scheduled for 10:00 am on the first Saturday of every
even numbered month at the PCARS club site in Ravenna.

QUICK FACTS

  • Yes, PCARS VE test Sessions are held at the club site in Ravenna starting at 10 am – see schedule.
  • Walk-Ins are accepted. Would appreciate an email to KB8UUZ@GMAIL.COM if you plan on attending.
  • You MUST have an FRN Number (SSNs no longer accepted)
  • You MUST have a valid e-mail address for the FCC to be able to contact you.
  • Picture ID required
  • Original and Copy of your valid FCC license and original of any applicable CSCE
  • Taking Technician Test? – You MUST apply for your FRN and get it prior to testing.
  • VE fee is $15 – Cash or Check payable to “ARRL-VEC”
  • Under 18 years old? VE Fee is $5 per the ARRL reduced CE fee Youth Program
  • FCC License Fee $35 – payable after FCC send you a link. DOES NOT APPLY to upgrades.
  • Under 18? ARRL will reimburse you the $35 FCC Fee.

Okay – now all the Details:

  • You must have your FRN prior to taking an exam – No SSNs will be used on the Form 605 anymore.
  • If you are sick, have a cough, a high temperature or have been exposed to COVID-19 or someone that has been infected – please, do not come to the club site. Use of masks is still encouraged.
  • No food or snacks allowed. 
  • $15.00 Fee Payment will only be by check or exact change. We cannot make change
  • If paying by check, make check out to: “ARRL-VEC”   The VE Fee is $15.00 (see below)
  • Ensure you have the following:
    • A picture ID such as a valid Driver’s License, State ID, School ID, or US Passport.
    • If you are under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian must be able to vouch for you and you need a copy of your birth certificate (you do not have to give us a copy, we just have to see and verify).
    • FCC is requiring you have your e-mail address on the Form 605.
    • If you are taking a Technician test you must have your FRN number (you can apply for an FRN on the FCC website). For hams having a license, your FRN is printed on your license.
    • If you are upgrading to General or Extra – You MUST bring your original valid amateur radio license and a copy of your valid amateur radio license to turn in with your Form 605.
    • Bring your own pencils and pens.
    • Calculators are okay to use (if you need one) as long as the memories are cleared.
    • NO cell Phones allowed

 

Any questions? Contact KB8UUZ@gmail.com

 

     Candidates younger than 18-years old will pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team when taking an exam. Proper identification must be presented to and verified by the team, per the procedures for all exam candidates (what to bring to an exam session).  The $5 fee is for all candidates under the age of 18 regardless of the exam level taken.

 

Additional Information – What to Bring to the Testing Session

  • If you’ve already passed a test: The original (and one copy) of any document that you will use to prove you’ve already passed a test element.

These documents may include:

    • An unexpired Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE) indicating the credit(s) earned.
    • Original and copy of a pre-March 21, 1987 Technician license (this provides credit for the Element 3 [General] exam) – you must be currently licensed to get this credit.

     Expired License? Original and a copy of your expired Amateur Radio License – you must take and pass Element number 2 to re-instate your license.                                   

ARE YOU GOING FOR YOUR TECHNICIAN LICENSE?

READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 First-Time Exam Applicants MUST Obtain FCC Registration Number BEFORE Taking Exam

     As of May 20, 2021, all amateur examination applicants are required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) BEFORE taking an amateur exam. This is necessary due to changes the FCC has made to its licensing system. Applicants will create an FCC username and account, respond to the verification email from FCC, and then register for the FRN. Register on the FCC’s Commission Registration System (CORES):  https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/

 Email Addresses REQUIRED

     As of June 29, 2021 all applications will be 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.

 New FCC $35 Amateur Application Fee

     March 23, 2022 – The FCC released a Public Notice stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission’s authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.  April 4, 2022 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade an amateur radio licensee’s operator class and changes to club station trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees took effect on April 19, 2022.

     VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect the $35 fee at exam sessions. New applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual and pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system. 

     When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate. The candidate will have 10 calendar days, from the date of the application file number being issued, to pay. After the fee is paid, and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license. The link will be good for 30 days.

     Additionally, the FCC stated that applications processed and dismissed will not be entitled to a refund. This includes vanity requests where the applicant does not receive the requested call sign. However, returned applications that are missing information will not require an additional fee, if the missing information is given to the FCC within the proper amount of time.

Youth Licensing Grant Program

     The ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program, in effect since April 19, 2022, will cover the one-time $35 application fee for new amateur radio license candidates younger than 18 years old for tests administered under the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) program.  “We are thrilled that we are able to provide this opportunity to our youth candidates,” said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM.

     The $35 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) application fee will be reimbursed after the ARRL VEC receives the completed reimbursement form and after the new license has been issued. The reimbursement check will be mailed to the fee payer. Also, candidates younger than 18 years old would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC team at the time of the exam. The $5 fee is for all candidates under the age of 18, regardless of the exam level taken. Proof of under 18 status is required at the session.

     The ARRL Board approved the Youth Licensing Grant Program at its July 2021 meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, expanding on the scope of the original motion proposed by ARRL Southeastern Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB.

     The Board believes the recruitment and training of young amateur radio operators is a necessary and proper mission of the ARRL and subsidization of the $35 fee will reduce the number of new amateurs that would otherwise be lost from these groups. Initially the new program would serve up to 1,000 new license applicants under 18 years old. The program length is indefinite; it may be renewed or terminated by the Administration and Finance Committee or by the Board of Directors.

     Visit the ARRL website for the program instructions and reimbursement form at www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program

ARRL VEC Application Fees webpage: http://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee 

ARRL News Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/new-amateur-radio-license-applications-fee-to-become-effective-april-19-2022 

FCC Registration: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do

     The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) retired the Legacy version of its COmmission REgistration System (CORES) on July 15, 2022. CORES is the FCC’s public-facing database that enables and tracks certain types of FCC and FCC applicant actions, including amateur radio applications and licenses. Its implementation has enabled routine amateur applications and licenses to be issued overnight instead of over weeks, as was the case with earlier methods. The updated version of CORES is now available. (  https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do  )

July 2022 – From: Maria Somma, AB1FM – VEC Manager – ARRL

INFORMATION ABOUT THE FCC APPLICATION FEE AND VEC FILED APPLICATIONS

It’s been three months since the FCC application fee was implemented on April 19, 2022. Here’s what we know so far…

  1. MAKE SURE EXAMINEES UNDERSTAND THEY MUST PAY WITHIN 10 DAYS.

Examinees do NOT have to wait for the email from the FCC to pay the fee. As soon as an the application file number is issued by the FCC, they can pay by logging into the CORES Payer FRN System (easier to use but only temporarily available) or the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES – Login). Application File Number search using an FRN: FCC Application File Number Search CORES payment system background information and instructions: Information. CORES step-by-step payment instructions: FCC Application Fee Instructions

  1. The FCC help center stated there is a known issue with individuals paying the $35 application fee via a smart phone or tablet. This is not a new issue and they haven’t been able to help troubleshoot the issue at the support center. Encourage candidates to login and pay the FCC application fee from a computer.
  2. Examinees should NOT amend any applications that a VEC submits on their behalf, especially NEW license applications. Amending VEC filed applications will cause the application to be dismissed without action in the FCC system and potentially require the applicant to pay another $35 fee. If there is a minor mistake on the application, either call us and we can correct and resubmit the application, or the individual can pay the fee, be issued the call sign, and then log back in and make corrections.
  3. Individuals should review their application BEFORE paying the fee. If there is a major error on the application, such as the licensee’s name or license class earned is incorrect, or the answer to the felony question is wrong, DO NOT PAY the fee. Call the VEC immediately.
  4. When in doubt, call the VEC (ARRL)! Even if you think you shouldn’t bother us with your question, call us anyway.