Get your Amateur Radio License 

The Amateur Radio Service is self governed.  

Amateur Radio Licensees take the responsibility of our FCC issued License Grants VERY seriously! 

To participate in ARES, you need at least a Technician Class Amateur Radio License, which is the entry level License.  This is to be sure you know the rules and procedures to legally operate an Amateur Radio Station.   License exams are coordinated by Volunteer Examination Coordinators (VECs), who field VE Teams of Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiners (VEs) to administer the exams.  Getting your license is not difficult, but there are some requirements.  You must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (such as a SSN), a valid mailing address, a valid Email address, and pass a 35 question exam.  

Here's the process:

1. Get a FCC Registration Number (FRN) by registering with the Commission Registration System (CORES). 

2. Find a class, or self study the license material.  There are many free license prep websites, such as Ham Study and QRZ.

3. Find a License Exam Session administered by Volunteer Examiners (VE).  There is at least one VE Session each month in Lancaster County.  You can search online for VE Sessions, or Contact Us to get the most current schedule of local sessions.  (Note:  some VE Teams charge a nominal testing fee, while others are FREE).  ARRL VEC and Laurel VEC offer online searches for VE Sessions.

4. After passing your exam, your examiners will give you a Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE).  In a couple business days, you will receive an email from the FCC with instructions to complete the process.  A $35 fee must be paid to the FCC to issue a License Grant, which is good for 10 years.