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ALERT The following information is dependent on current COVID alert levels and subject to frequent changes as the COVID-19 situation changes. Please contact the VEC committee at The Exam sessions are offered at the HCESD 16 Administration Building, 18606 Stuebner Airline 77379. Traveling north on Stuebner Airline, turn right off of Stuebner Airline into the driveway, then turn right into the parking area in front of the main building. Those traveling south on Stuebner Airline, turn left into the driveway and then right into the parking are. Do not attempt to enter the gates into the back parking area. Enter the building through the main entrance and proceed down the hall to the conference room on the left. This is a secure facility. We have limited access and are allowed only in the main hallway, the two meeting rooms on the left side of the hallway, and the restroom facilities on the right toward the end of the hall. Under no circumstances are we to enter any other room, rather they are locked or not. Please visit the exam information on this website for additional information regarding the exam. See the map on this page for directions to the facility. This testing session will be conducted in person using Computer Based Testing (CBT). Applicants must have their FRN, either to pre-register or to test as a walk-in. To find any session, visit https://hamstudy.org/sessions/arrl/inperson. Select In Person, Show, All VECs, and then type the zip code (77070) into the text box. Click the Filter button to filter the listing to the ZIP code. Scroll through the list to view the available sessions, and then click the session link you prefer. Click the orange Register button near the bottom of the page and complete the registration form.
Please be sure to bring the following items to the exam session:
An additional fee of $35 will be collected by the FCC. This change went into effect on April 19, 2022. The $35 application fee will be paid directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES - Login). 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. IMPORTANT: The application will be dismissed if you do not submit the payment within 10 days. You will have to request that the we (ARRL VEC) resubmit your paperwork if you miss the 10-day deadline. You do NOT have to retest, however. After you pay the fee and the FCC has processed your application, you will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to your official license. The link will be good for 30 days. The $35 application fee will be reimbursed by check to the fee-payer for any candidates younger than 18 years old per the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant program, effective April 19, 2022. If you want to learn more about becoming a volunteer examiner, or have questions about the exam, please contact To register for test sessions,visit the HamStudy.org page. The planned test dates for 2024 are as follows:
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HCESD Administration Building
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Finding the resources to study for an Amateur license has never been easier. There are in-person classes offered in co-operation with many First Response organizations such as Fire Departments, Police Departments, Hospitals, and Ambulance Services as part of their emergency preparedness plans. Some high schools and colleges even offer classes as part of their science courses.
If you are more comfortable in a stay-at-home situation, Zoom classes are sponsored by some clubs as well as educational institutions and even individuals. Resources are also available for a complete do-it-yourself course of study if you are highly self-motivated and prefer that style of learning.
Regardless of the path you choose, there are several online tests that draw their questions from the official FCC question pool to enable you to practice taking the test until you feel comfortable with it before sitting for the actual exam.
There are two types of training sessions to consider. The traditional path requires a commitment of an hour or two on a regular schedule with as much individual study between sessions as you need. These sessions usually go into more theory and practical information behind the questions and are usually targeted for the General and Extra class licenses.
There are also Get Your License in a Weekend classes that are designed to get your license quickly. The first hour or two gets the basic information to you, followed by a series of practice tests with questions from the actual question pool, followed by a critique. There are 100 questions, but the actual test is only 35 questions.
This test-critique-test cycle is repeated for the first and second day. The final test on the second day is the actual exam for your license. This is typically the type of test offered for First Responders and results in them getting a Technician class license.
At present, NARS does not offer a scheduled class, though we have provided classes to First Responders and even NASA Astronauts by special arrangements. NARS does offer testing each month, however. See License Exams on this website.
Regardless of where you get your training, the questions and standards for a successful test session are the same. The questions are all drawn from the same question pool for each exam and the grading standards are the same.
Of course, we would welcome you to join NARS, either before you get your license or after.
Resources
Some of the following resources are free, while others require a small fee. The ones that charge for the services typically offer some support. The free ones do not usually offer much in the way of support.