Getting Licensed

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Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. US licenses are good for 10 years before renewal and anyone may hold one except a representative of a foreign government. In the US there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra.

Technician License

The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. To earn the Technician license requires passing one examination totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz, allowing these licensees the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America. It also allows for some limited privileges on the HF (also called “short wave”) bands used for international communications.

General License

The General class license grants some operating privileges on all Amateur Radio bands and all operating modes. This license opens the door to world-wide communications. Earning the General class license requires passing a 35 question examination. General class licensees must also have passed the Technician written examination.

Extra License

The Amateur Extra class license conveys all available U.S. Amateur Radio operating privileges on all bands and all modes. Earning the license is more difficult; it requires passing a thorough 50 question examination. Extra class licensees must also have passed all previous license class written examinations.

Find a Class

In Anderson, Indiana the Anderson Repeater Club (Not affiliated with the scrapper system) sponsors Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiner Test Sessions each month. The VE sessions are the Third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. The sessions are conducted at the Madison County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 200 North Delaware Street in Anderson, Indiana. Come to the building at the base of the 350 foot communications tower. Walk-ins are welcome. Test fee is $15. More info at the ARC website .

Not in our area? then check out the ARRL Find an Amateur Radio License Exam Session webpage .

Take Practice Exams

Get a feel for how the exam is going to go and what you should really focus on while studying. Try the practice tests over on the QRZ website .

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Last update on: August 23, 2026