Volunteer Examiner Sessions
Get Licensed
Amateur Radio is an internationally regulated hobby. For US Domestic licenses, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has jurisdiction over the Amateur Radio Service. The FCC formulates Amateur Radio regulations consistent with International treaties governing the use of Radio Spectrum, as well as laws/regulations passed by Congress. Currently, the US Amateur Radio licensing structure consists of 3 tiers, with operating and radio spectrum privileges increasing with each tier. Each license tier requires the prospective licensee to pass an exam which demonstrates knowledge of electronic theory, rules and regulations, and operating practices.
Online Exam Sessions
Taking your amateur radio exam online is straightforward, and a little preparation helps everything run smoothly. Plan to use two devices with cameras, most commonly a laptop and a smartphone. The laptop is typically your main Zoom connection, and the smartphone provides a second camera view during the session.
To make the smartphone camera easy to position, please have a small stand or holder ready so you can adjust the angle quickly when requested. Before exam day, install Zoom on both devices and confirm you are running the latest version. Right before you join the session, close or fully exit any non-critical applications so your devices run cleanly and Zoom has full access to camera and audio.
Your workspace and room setup matter too. Please clear your desk completely of papers and any non-essential items before the session starts. The room must be private during the exam: nobody can be in the exam room except the candidate for the entire session. Also, complete your registration and payment at least one hour prior to your scheduled exam time.
If you plan to take more than one exam element during the same session, please let the VE team know ahead of time by email. This helps us schedule the session appropriately and ensure we have enough accredited examiners available to support additional elements. We also ask that you only request an additional element if you are truly ready to pass it. A good rule of thumb is consistently scoring above 85% on practice exams for each element you intend to attempt.
After the exam, you will receive a CSCE (proof of successful completion) for any element(s) you pass. For online sessions, this is typically provided electronically once the session paperwork is finalized. The VE team then submits your results to the VEC, and the VEC files the application with the FCC. When the FCC processes it, your new license or upgrade will appear in the FCC ULS database. Processing time can vary, but many updates post within a few business days after the VEC submission.
Upcoming Monthly Sessions
April 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
May 4, 2026 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
June 1, 2026 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Check https://hamstudy.org/sessions/WEARC/all for additional session dates and times.
If you are interested in using our On-Line Exam Services please use the “Register For Exam” button below for current dates and enrollment instructions. If you have any questions, please call or text our VE Team Liaison: Mike, KC2NJ, 1-917-502-2203
Additional information on the WEARC VE program is available at https://hamradioonlinetest.com/
Checklist
Use this checklist to prepare for your on-line exam session.
- Photo ID: A current government issued ID that matches your registration name.
- Zoom application installed on both devices, updated to the latest version.
- Your computer must have only 1 screen connected; please cover or disconnect power from any unused screens in your field of view.
- Join Zoom with two devices (laptop and smartphone), audio disabled on second device (smartphone) Zoom: Don’t Connect To Audio.
- Zoom laptop camera settings: Disable blur background, enable HD (high definition) video.
- Small stand for the smartphone for easy positioning.
- All non-critical applications closed or exited before joining the session.
- Desk cleared of all papers and non-essential items.
- Room is private: only the candidate is in the room during the exam.
- Hat, headphones, sunglasses, smartwatch removed.
- Email the VE team ahead of time if you plan to take more than one exam element.
- Only request additional elements if you are ready (a good target is scoring above 85% on practice exams).
- Registration and payment completed at least 1 hour prior to exam time.