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Technician Class – Element 2 (July 2022 – June 2026) 

General Class – Element 3 (July 2023 - June 2027)

Extra Class – Element 4 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2024)

Each class of license determines band usage.   Here's a graphical view of the eligible bands  



*Element 1 – Morse Code – Not required since February 23, 2007.


All amateur examination applicants will be required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) BEFORE taking an amateur exam.

***** SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED AT EXAM SESSIONS.*****

2023- 2024 Testing Dates   ( New ! - All Northeastern South Carolina Listed )

                                                                             (  Florence Testing in Red )

December 9, 2023  at MUSC Health , 805 Pamplico  Highway , Florence SC 29505

January 13th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street ( ARRL VEC)

January 20th, 2024   in Myrtle Beach  at Carolina Forest Public Library (w4gs.org)

February 10, 2024   at MUSC Health , 805 Pamplico  Highway , Florence SC 29505

February 17, 2024    in Sumter , Knights of Columbus Hall, 2325 Camden Hwy (Reservation Required - SARA)

March 9th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street (ARRL VEC)

April 20th, 2024   at MUSC Health , 805 Pamplico  Highway , Florence SC 29505

May 11th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street (ARRL VEC)

June 15, 2024    in Sumter , Knights of Columbus Hall, 2325 Camden Hwy (Reservation Required)

June 27th, 2024  (tentative)  at Field day Site TBD

July 13th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street (ARRL VEC)

August 17th, 2024  in Sumter , Knights of Columbus Hall, 2325 Camden Hwy (Reservation Required)

September 14th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street (ARRL VEC)

October 12th, 2024  at MUSC Health , 805 Pamplico  Highway , Florence SC 29505

September 14th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street (ARRL VEC)

November 9th, 2024  in Camden at KCARC Clubhouse 1020 York Street ( ARRL VEC)

November 16, 2024  in Sumter , Knights of Columbus Hall, 2325 Camden Hwy  (Reservation Required)
December 7, 2024     at MUSC Health, 805 Pamplico Highway, Florence SC 29505


Beginning May 20, 2021, The FCC required all amateur examination applicants to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam. This is necessary due to changes in the licensing system.

Amateur candidates who already have an FCC license, whether for amateur radio or in another service, already have an FRN and can use the same number. All prospective new FCC licensees, however, will be required to obtain an FRN before the examination and provide that number to the volunteer examiners on the Form 605 license application. An FCC instructional video provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain an FRN through the FCC’s COmmission REgistration System (CORES).

The FRN is required for all new applicants to take an amateur exam and is used afterward by the applicant to download the license document from the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS), upgrade the license, apply for a vanity call sign, and to submit administrative updates (such as address and email changes) and renewal applications.

In addition, 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