Announced on 24 March 2022, the FCC will start requiring a $35 fee for those applying for new amateur radio licenses (including modifications, renewal, and vanity call signs) effective 19 April 2022.
The FCC announced this via MD Docker No. 20-270.
ARRL has a wonderful write up with lots more details listed here: https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee. One of the key things to remember is, the new fee does not apply to upgrades of licenses.
I’m posting this on my blog because I want to encourage folks, in the less than week left before the effective date to potentially take their license exam sooner rather than later.
If you are ready to take an exam you can find a local exam via ARRL’s “Find an Amateur Radio License Exam Session” or you can take online remote exams via Ham Study.
I strongly encourage folks to take their exam before the new fee goes in to effect. If you don’t want to spend the ~$15 for the processing fee, The Laurel VEC does free testing, but they only do in person exams. So, unfortunately, it might not be available in your area.
Regardless of when you take your exam, I wish you the best of luck!
73,
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