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Exam Overview
The Technician exam is given by Volunteer Examiners (VEs), licensed amateurs accredited by a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC). A team of at least three VEs runs every session, either in person or remotely by video. The FCC does not give the test itself; it issues the license after the VEC reports that you passed.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| License | Amateur Radio Technician Class (FCC Element 2) |
| Regulator | Federal Communications Commission (47 CFR Part 97) |
| Question pool | 409 public questions by the NCVEC Question Pool Committee, in use for exams from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030 |
| Number of questions | 35 multiple-choice questions, one from each pool group |
| Answer choices | 4 per question (A, B, C, D), one correct |
| Passing score | 26 correct answers (74%) |
| Time limit | None set by the FCC; most sessions allow 30 to 60 minutes |
| Format | Paper booklet or tablet at an in-person session, or online with video proctoring |
| Fees | FCC application fee $35; exam session fee set by the VE team (commonly $0 to $15) |
| License term | 10 years, renewable; 2-year grace period for renewal |
Exam Questions by Subelement
| Subelement | Topic | Exam Questions | Pool Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Commission's Rules | 6 | 68 |
| T2 | Operating Procedures | 3 | 37 |
| T3 | Radio Wave Propagation | 3 | 35 |
| T4 | Amateur Radio Practices and Station Setup | 2 | 23 |
| T5 | Electrical Principles | 4 | 50 |
| T6 | Electronic and Electrical Components | 4 | 46 |
| T7 | Practical Circuits | 4 | 44 |
| T8 | Signals and Emissions | 4 | 47 |
| T9 | Antennas and Feed Lines | 2 | 23 |
| T0 | Electrical, Antenna and RF Safety | 3 | 36 |
| Total | 35 | 409 |
How the Test Is Scored
The VE team grades your answer sheet as soon as you finish. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank. If you answer at least 26 questions correctly, the team gives you a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) and sends your application to its VEC. If you fall short, most teams let you take a different version of the test at the same session for another fee.
What Happens After You Pass
- The VEC files your application with the FCC, usually within a few days.
- The FCC emails you a link to pay the $35 application fee in CORES. Pay it within 10 days.
- Once the fee is paid, the FCC emails a link to your official license grant, and your new call sign appears in the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) database.
- You may transmit as soon as the grant appears in the database. No paper license is mailed.
What the Exam Measures
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