08/16/2021

The schedule of FCC amateur radio application fees likely will not go into
effect before 2022. FCC staff confirmed during a recent virtual meeting with
Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) that the agency is still working on the
necessary changes to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) software and other
processes and procedures that must be in place before it starts collecting fees
from amateur applicants. Earlier this year, the FCC said it would not start
collecting fees from amateur applicants before this summer. The new estimate is
that the fees won't go into effect until early next year.

Once it's effective, the $35 application fee will apply to new, modification
(upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign
applications. All fees will be per application. Administrative update
applications, such as those to change a licensee's name, mailing, or email
address, will be exempt from fees. ARRL VEC manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said
Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not face the burden of collecting the $35
fee.

"Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new and upgrade applicants will pay
the exam session fee to the VE team as usual, but they'll pay the $35
application fee directly to the FCC using the FCC Pay Fees[1] system," she
explained. When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it
will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate who
then will have 10 days from the date of the email 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. Licensees also will be able to view, download,
and print official license copies by logging into their FCC ULS account. The
FCC no longer provides printed licenses.

Licensees can log into the ULS[2] with their 10-digit FRN (FCC Registration
Number) and password at any time to view and manage their license and
application, print their license[3], and update anything in their FCC license
record, including adding an email address.

FEE SCHEDULE

INDIVIDUALS

$35 FEE: New, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal,
and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.

NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email
address, or license cancellation.

AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS

$35 FEE: New, renewal, trustee change, and vanity call sign applications. All
fees will be per application.

NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email
address, or license cancellation.

[1] https://apps2.fcc.gov/Batch_Filer/login.cfm
[2] https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system
[3] http://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy

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