ISU Fall '26 Session A

The W0ISU VE team, sponsored by the Campus Amateur Radio Club at Iowa State University, is pleased to announce our next amateur radio session. All test sessions are held on the campus of Iowa State University at Howe Hall. Pre-registration on hamstudy.org is highly encouraged but not required. Prior registration makes the process smooth and quick. Pre-Registration is strongly encouraged as it allows us to better prepare for how many we will have, and allows you to get some paperwork done ahead of time. If there are no pre-registrations by 10:00 p.m. central time the evening before the exam, we will cancel the session.

This is an in-person computer based test. You may bring a laptop or if you do not have one, we will provide you with a laptop. The test is conducted using the Exam Tools platform. If we have technical issues, paper tests will be used instead. If you have any special needs or accommodations, please email Matthew Nelson, mnelson at iastate.edu, ahead of time so we can accommodate you as best as we can.

A Federal Registration Number (FRN) or an FCC issued call sign is required to register. You can register for an FRN at the FCC CORES website. Click on “Register” and follow the instructions. If you need help, please refer to this How to get a FRN Number guide from the FCC.

Preparing for the testing session

To help make things easier for everyone, please have the following ready and bring with you or complete before coming to the exam session.

• Pre-register for the exam session through Exam Tools.
• When filling out the registration, please fill it in completely including your phone number and e-mail address. If you are upgrading your license, you must register with the name as it appears on your current license.
• A legal photo ID. If you are an ISU student, your ISU student ID will also suffice.
• If you are already licensed, please bring a signed copy of your FCC issued license.
• Any current CSCEs that have not yet shown up in the FCC database.
• A FCC Registration Number (FRN).
• $15 test fee: Paid on-site via credit/debit card, ApplePay, Google Pay, cash or Venmo. Cash or Venmo is preferred. For those 18 and under, the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program reduces the exam session fee to $5.

Notes

• The Exam Tools site has a built-in calculator. You may also bring a physical non-programmable calculator. Programmable calculators are only allowed if their memories can be cleared at the exam session site by the testing team. Cell phone/tablet use as calculator is not permitted.
• The FCC charges a $35 fee for new applications, renewals and vanity call sign requests. The fees is paid directly to the FCC within ten days of your application being submitted. Failure to do so will result in your application being dismissed. Upgrade applications are not charged the $35 processing fee by the FCC.
• For those 18 and under, the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program reimburses the $35 FCC application fee. Please visit the program website for more information.