Radio License Exams
The three US amateur license exams, from the current NCVEC question pools, and the FCC commercial GROL and ship radar exams, from the official FCC pools. The FCC requires these pools to be public, so what you drill is what the examiners use.
Amateur Radio Technician
The entry-level US amateur license: VHF and UHF privileges, plus a slice of HF.
Amateur Radio General
Most HF privileges. The step that opens worldwide operating.
Amateur Radio Extra
Every privilege the service grants, and the deepest theory.
FCC Element 1: Basic Radio Law and Operating Practice
The rules and operating practice exam for every FCC commercial radio license: the GROL and the Marine Radio Operator Permit.
FCC Element 3: General Radiotelephone (GROL)
The technical exam for the General Radiotelephone Operator License: electronics, circuits, transmitters, receivers, antennas and marine and aviation radio.
FCC Element 8: Ship Radar Endorsement
The ship radar exam that adds the Ship Radar Endorsement to a GROL: radar principles, transmitters, receivers, displays and maintenance.
Questions
Common Questions
Are these the real exam questions?
Yes. The FCC requires the amateur question pools to be public, and these courses use the current official NCVEC pools, including published errata. The GROL and radar courses use the FCC's official commercial element pools.
What score do I need to pass?
Amateur Radio Technician: 26 of 35. Amateur Radio General: 26 of 35. Amateur Radio Extra: 37 of 50. FCC Element 1: Basic Radio Law and Operating Practice: 18 of 24. FCC Element 3: General Radiotelephone (GROL): 75 of 100. FCC Element 8: Ship Radar Endorsement: 38 of 50.
Which question pools are current?
Amateur Radio Technician: valid 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30. Amateur Radio General: valid 2023-07-01 to 2027-06-30. Amateur Radio Extra: valid 2024-07-01 to 2028-06-30. FCC Element 1: Basic Radio Law and Operating Practice: approved 2009-06-25, still the current FCC pool. FCC Element 3: General Radiotelephone (GROL): approved 2009-06-25, still the current FCC pool. FCC Element 8: Ship Radar Endorsement: approved 2009-06-25, still the current FCC pool.