CQ

Ham Radio Technician Trainer

Learn the lingo and get certified as a Ham Radio technician.

The Ham Radio technician exam is pretty straightforward. You're randomly assigned 35 questions (from a panel of 409, across 10 topics). Correctly answer 26 and you pass!

This interactive training tool includes all 409 questions and offers multiple training modes so you'll go from complete beginner to certified technician in no time.

How to Get Your Ham Radio Operator Certificate

Step by step, from studying to call sign
Step 1 — Get your FCC Registration Number (FRN) do this BEFORE exam day
You cannot register for an exam session without an FRN. It's free and takes about 10 minutes.
  • Go to FCC CORES and click Register (under "Need a Username?") to create an FCC Username account using a valid email.
  • Check your email and click the verification link to activate the account.
  • Log back in to CORES, choose Register New FRN, select Individual, and fill in your details (this step asks for your SSN, handled securely by the FCC).
  • Submit — your FRN appears immediately on the confirmation page. Write it down; you'll use it to register for your exam and it stays with you for life.
Step 2 — Find an exam session (remote or in person)
  • Open hamstudy.org/sessions/remote. It lists online/remote sessions you can take from home over Zoom; drop the "/remote" for in-person sessions near you.
  • Pick a session and click the orange Register button.
  • You'll get a confirmation email with a link to pay the exam fee (typically ~$15 to the volunteer examiner team) and choose your time slot.
  • For a remote exam you'll need a reliable internet connection, a webcam, a quiet private room, and two devices (e.g., a computer plus a phone) for the Zoom proctoring.
Step 3 — Exam day & after you pass
  • Bring your FRN and a photo ID. The Technician exam is 35 questions; you need 26 correct.
  • After passing, there's a $35 FCC application fee for the new license. Your call sign is typically issued within a few business days and appears in the FCC ULS database.
  • Once your call sign is granted, you're on the air. Congratulations, and 73!

Additional Information & Resources

NCVECOfficial amateur radio question pools — the source for this trainer ARRL — Getting LicensedStudy guidance and the national ham radio association FCC CORESCreate your FCC username and get your FRN HamStudy — Exam SessionsFind a remote or in-person exam session
Runs entirely in your browser — the exam and study modes work fully offline and never use Claude credits.
Official pool: NCVEC. Not affiliated with the FCC, NCVEC, or ARRL.