05/06/2021

Beginning May 20, 2021, all amateur examination applicants will be required to
provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN[1]) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs)
before taking an amateur exam. This is necessary due to changes the FCC has
made to its 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[2] 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[3]), 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, after June 29, 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.

[1] https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration-number-frn/
[2] https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn
[3] https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system

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