For tips on preparing for your amateur radio license, see our “Tips to Get Your Ham Radio License” page.
The Testing Process
The Sioux Empire Amateur Radio club is proud to have a number of members certified at Volunteer Examiners (VE’s) and we provide a monthly testing session to get you licensed.
As long as there is at least ONE Candidate committed to testing, Sessions will be held the second Tuesday of every month at the Minnehaha County Emergency Management building at 608 Sigler Ave. Sioux Falls, SD. If there are no Candidates on the Roster VE’s will not hold the session. Please be sure to register by the Sunday before the test date to ensure everyone is available. We will open the doors at 7:00 pm. There is no set time for testing to begin, but if you cannot be there before 7:30 pm, please let the VE team know, so arrangements can be made.
The Fee is $15.00 (cash, or check payable to ARRL VEC). If you Pass the test you are eligible to take the next highest level at no cost. If you do not pass the test, you may re-take the test up to three times in a single session, but there is an additional $15.00 fee for each additional test. As of March 2023, a filing fee is charged by the FCC. Once your paperwork is submitted by the VEC group, you will receive an e-mail to your FCC registered e-mail address to pay the $35 filing fee to the FCC.
At least ONE PICTURE ID (i.e. Driver’s license, passport, or military ID) OR at least TWO other forms of ID. (i.e. social security card, library card, etc.)
VECs are required by the FCC to submit your FCC Registration Number (FRN) with your license application form. New license applicants should create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) and a valid e-mail in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions.
Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the FCC’s Registration page and the FCC’s Registration instructions page.
Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form.
You may use a calculator if the memory has been erased.
IF UPGRADING your license, we need a copy of your current license that we can mail in with your test.
To register for a testing session, please complete the form below & GOOD LUCK! We WILL respond to your application to verify receipt. Please register at least three working days in advance of the Test Date so we can ensure we have the proper resources available.