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.
- Questions in this course
- 144
- The real test
- 24 questions, 18 correct to pass.
Element 1 is the rules and operating practice exam. Pass it alone for the Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP); pass it with Element 3 for the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), which a technician needs to adjust, maintain or repair licensed transmitters in the aviation, maritime and international fixed public radio services.
The mock test is the real format: 24 questions, one from every key topic of the official pool, with 18 correct to pass. No reference material is allowed in the real exam. The questions here are the FCC's official question pool, approved on 25 June 2009, which is still the only valid pool.
The FCC does not give the exam itself: a Commercial Operator License Examination Manager (COLEM) does, in person or online, and each sets its own fee. The COLEM gives you a Proof of Passing Certificate, valid for 365 days, and you then apply on FCC Form 605 with an FCC Registration Number. Commercial operator licenses are valid for the lifetime of the holder.
This course drills all 144 questions of the Element 1 pool.
Official links
- FCC: commercial operator examinations — The elements, their pass marks and the official question pools
- FCC: commercial operator license types — What the GROL, the MROP and the radar endorsement allow
- FCC: where to take the exam (COLEMs) — The examination managers who give the tests, and their fees
- 47 CFR Part 13 — commercial radio operators — Eligibility, examinations and the lifetime license term
Questions
Common questions
How many questions are on the real test, and what is the pass mark?
24 questions, 18 correct to pass.
How are the questions checked?
Every question is checked before it goes live, and again each time the site is updated.
Where do I take the FCC Element 1: Basic Radio Law and Operating Practice exam?
The FCC does not give the exam itself: a Commercial Operator License Examination Manager (COLEM) does, in person or online, and each sets its own fee. The COLEM gives you a Proof of Passing Certificate, valid for 365 days, and you then apply on FCC Form 605 with an FCC Registration Number. Commercial operator licenses are valid for the lifetime of the holder.
Is this course free?
Part of every course is free: a slice of every topic and one short practice test a day. Full access is $10 a month for one course, or $20 a month for every course on the site.