Becoming an ARRL Volunteer Examiner — Study Guide

This guide condenses the ARRL VE Manual into what you need to pass the open-book review and serve on a VE team. It is for Elmers holding a General, Advanced, or Extra license.

• 18 or older.
• Hold a valid General, Advanced, or Extra license.
• Never had a license suspended or revoked.
• Keep your license current (an expired license suspends VE eligibility).

• FCC — sets the rules (Part 97); the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) oversees the program.
• VEC — organization under FCC agreement; accredits VEs and forwards data to the FCC. There are 14 VECs.
• VEs — accredited volunteers who administer exams in teams of at least three.
• Examinees — the candidates seeking a license or upgrade.

Three written elements: 2 (Technician), 3 (General), 4 (Extra). Pools are maintained by the VECs via the NCVEC Question Pool Committee (§97.523).

• Renews automatically with current contact info + one session every 5 years (helping counts).
• Instant Accreditation: already with another VEC? Attach those credentials instead of the open-book review.
• Upgraded? You can't serve at the new class until the grant appears in FCC ULS.

• Minimum 3 accredited VEs; all three observe and grade every exam.
• Team Liaison: VEC contact + material security. License must cover the top element offered (General=El.2, Advanced=El.2–3, Extra=all three).
• Contact Person: public point of contact; need not be accredited or even licensed.
• Relatives (§97.509(d)): never administer to your own family; related VEs may serve on the same team.

• The team decides when/where; aim for candidate convenience.
• Register with ARRL VEC so it lists on the session search. Public notice is no longer required by the FCC.
• Sites (library, school, church, fire station) are usually free; room rent is reimbursable.
• Typical session: ~10 candidates, about 3-1/2 hours.
• A candidate coming only to test can't be charged a hamfest admission fee.

• FCC Form 605 = licensee's online renewals/changes; never used at sessions.
• NCVEC Quick-Form 605 = the exam application; VEC/VE use only, never sent to the FCC, may be photocopied.
• Section 1 (applicant): mandatory FRN, email, and felony-question answer, plus signature.
• Section 2 (VEs): class earned, date, city+state, 'ARRL', and all three VE signatures.
• Corrections: single line through, write above, initial. Check the top half early.

• ID: one legal photo ID, or two acceptable non-photo items.
• One fee covers Elements 2–3–4 in one sitting; a retake of a failed element costs another fee.
• Calculators allowed if memory is cleared and no hardwired formulas; phones never allowed.
• One element at a time; grade immediately; all three VEs grade or agree; tell the candidate the score.
• Cheating: terminate, fail, dismiss — all three VEs review; guilt is the FCC's call.
• Never refuse a disability accommodation; arrange it.

Expired-license credit (since 2014): you must still pass the current Element 2, then higher credit applies. The candidate brings the proof, not the VE.

• Valid 365 days from issue; a new CSCE never renews an old one.
• Issue one to anyone who passes an element; circle elements passed + class earned, line out the rest.
• Distribution: White → candidate, Pink → ARRL VEC, Yellow → your team. The CSCE can never be photocopied.

• Test Session Report = the summary tally; list every participating VE.
• File within 10 days; e-filing reaches the FCC in 1–2 business days.
• Retain only necessary, prudent expenses (up to $7/candidate); leftover funds go back to ARRL VEC.
• Never publicly discuss applicants' names or personal info — numerical stats only.

• Completed, signed ARRL VE Application.
• Verification of your current license.
• Completed Open-Book Review (or documented on-the-job training).
• Instant Accreditation? A copy of your other VEC credentials instead.
• Get the official 2022 VE package at arrl.org/resources-for-ves; email to VEC@arrl.org.

The FCC delegates exam testing to 14 Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs). You can be accredited with more than one. The two most common are ARRL and Laurel — they differ mainly in fees and in how you get accredited. The VE knowledge is the same either way, so the study guide and practice quiz here prepare you for both.

• Read the ARRL VE Manual (Chapter 2).
• Complete the VE Application + Open-Book Review.
• Email both to the ARRL VEC; wait for approval.
• Register for ExamTools; upload your FCC license.
• Serve on a team of 3+ accredited VEs.

• Meet the same FCC basics: 18+, valid General/Advanced/Extra, never suspended or revoked.
• Find a Laurel VE team near you.
• Ask the team leader if they need another VE.
• They nominate you — there is no exam to pass.
• They train you and invite you to sessions.