Upcoming Test Dates

SARA’s accredited exam staff, led by Stephen Kinford N8WB (SARAVETEST “@” icloud.com), hold ARRL VE exams 6 times a year, Bimonthly starting in February.

All exam sessions begin at 10:00 am. The SARA VE team uses the HamSudy.org website for all test session registrations.
All three tests, Technician, General, and Extra, are offered on all exam dates.
The current upcoming SARA test session registration at HamStudy.org can be accessed quickly by clicking this link:

SARA VE HamStudy.org Upcoming Session Registration Page (click this link)

2026 Dates for SARA’s VE Tests at the Rittman City Fire Department. Click on any link to go to that HamStudy. org test session.
Saturday, February 7th, 2026
Saturday, April 4th, 2026
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Saturday, August 1st, 2026
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
Saturday, December 5th, 2026

To search and sign up for one of SARA’s future HamStudy.org sessions, go to the HamStudy.org webpage by clicking this link:
Search HamStudy.org for SARA Future Test Sessions (click this link)

On the HamStudy.org page, click on the top right-hand side blue box entitled “Find a Session”.

On the new page, click the Choose box in the “Located:” section.

The “Show sessions near:” box will appear. In the Zip Code field, type in 44270 Rittman’s zip code. Then click the “Enter” key on your keyboard.

If you do not find the session date that you would like, click the “Load more…” button at the bottom of the page!
When you see the Silvercreek Amateur test session that you would like to register in click the Green time oval.

On the session register page, you will see “SARA VE Session“.
In the February and August sessions, you will see “WARC VE Session“.
Click the Orange “Register” button to start the registration process.

If you do not have a HamStudy free account, you will need to sign up for one during the registration process!
After registering with HamStudy, you will receive an email from them confirming that your registration has been completed.
You will be added to our ExamTools session for the date that you have registered for, and the SARA VE team will also receive an email for your registration.

Testing Location

What to Bring to the Exam

1. FCC accepted forms of identification. See “Acceptable ID” below. You need only bring one piece of ID from the “Type A” column or two pieces of ID from the “Type B” column.
2. All participants must show a record of their FCC Registration Number (FRN) from the FCC CORES website on the day of their exam. You can instantly register at the FCC CORES website. Directions for registration can be found on the FCC’s CORES website.
3. The ARRL VEC test fee of $15, payable in cash (exact amount please), credit/debit card, or checks payable to “Stephen Kinford”. On-site test payments do not include the FCC $35 license payment fee (see below).
4. If you are licensed, two copies of your current FCC license. One copy is required to be submitted to the VEC along with your test paperwork; the second is retained for the VE team records. You may print a copy of your license through the ULS portal at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/. The printed license must be the “Official” copy, not the “Reference” copy.
5. If you have recently passed an exam element and your new license does not yet appear in the FCC ULS database, bring your CSCE certificate(s) along with a copy of all CSCE certificates. A copy of any CSCE certificate must be submitted to the ARRL VEC, including all test paperwork.
6. At least two #2 pencils for the test sheet.
7. You must supply a working e-mail address from which you can receive your FCC CORES payment link and FCC Cores License link. All applicants must provide an accurate e-mail address at the test session, as it cannot be corrected afterward.

FCC License Fees

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires a $35 licensing processing fee for all new issuance, renewals, and vanity call signs for the Amateur Radio Part 97 services. This license fee must be paid after passing a license test (new or upgrades) and is required for the FCC to issue a new license. Upgrades within an unexpired term do not require a fee. The fee is paid directly to the FCC through the CORES system.
Do not bring this payment to an exam session.

The licensing fee process is as follows:

1. New prospective license holders must register for an “FRN” in the FCC CORES system before taking an exam. An FRN number is required to take an exam and must be provided to the Volunteer Examiners at test registration.
2. Register, take, and pass one or more test elements at a Volunteer Examiner session.
3. The ARRL VE team will transmit the results to the FCC within 1-2 business days following an exam session.
4. The FCC will generate an email to each new or upgraded licensee with a link to make the $35 payment within the FCC CORES system. Payment must be made within 10 calendar days or the application is automatically rejected.
5. Once the payment has been received, the FCC will send a second e-mail with a link to the updated license, and the FCC ULS database will be updated with the new or upgraded operating privileges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I operate?

If you are unlicensed and passing any test for the first time, per the FCC rules, you may not transmit until your license appears in the FCC Universal Licensing System (“FCC ULS”) database. Test files are electronically submitted to the FCC on the first business day following the exam. The FCC overnight processing usually results in the FCC CORES fee email sent the next day. In general, your license will appear in the ULS shortly after the receipt of your license payment in the FCC CORES system. As SARA usually holds tests on a Saturday, the files will be processed on Monday with the FCC overnight processing producing the payment and licensing processes on Tuesday. Once you have received your license email from the FCC and/or appear in the ULS database, you may operate.

If you have an existing license and passed an upgrade, you may immediately operate in the band segments of your new privilege level so long as you use /AG or /AE with your callsign for General or Extra respectively – e.g., W1AW/AG spoken as “W 1 A W stroke A G”. Modifiers are not required when operating in a band segment of the existing privilege class level. Always use the FCC ULS search system to determine your license status. Ham-run license and info sites such as QRZ.com or AE7Q.com will lag the FCC ULS database by at least 24 hours.

Can I use a calculator?

Calculators may be used for the written exams. However, if you bring a programmable calculator, you must demonstrate to the VE team that the calculator memory is cleared and does not contain stored formulas and programs or you will not be permitted to use it.

Why do some exams cost money and others do not?

Maintaining and operating an amateur license testing capability costs significant money. SARA’s examination team is part of the larger ARRL Volunteer Exam Coordination program, which processes a substantial portion of license exams and changes. The ARRL employs staff to execute the program in a professional manner. Other VEC groups are either funded in other ways or are much smaller and operate on a purely volunteer basis.

By policy, ARRL VE Teams must all charge the same amount. The ARRL VEC test fee is currently $15 for all test candidates. This fee is charged regardless if you pass any elements or not. You may take as many of the three test elements at a session as you like (provided previous elements are passed) and pay just one test fee. Do not bring or include the FCC license fee with your payment.

Can I repeat a failed test?

If you fail a test element and wish to make a second attempt to pass that same element, you must pay the test fee again for the second attempt. This requirement is set by the ARRL and is not negotiable onsite. Note that due to time constraints, the VE team may not always offer a second test opportunity at a given test session.

I have a non-expired Technician Class license that was issued during or before 1987 and I passed the Technician/General written exam before March 20, 1987. I was told I qualify for an “instant upgrade” to General Class?

Yes! This is a case where someone passed the written exam but did not pass or attempt the CW/Morse Code portion of the exam. If you passed the Technician/General written exam before March 20, 1987, and your Technician Class license has not expired you may appear at a VE Session to claim instant credit for licensing as a General Class licensee. You must provide proof of your license status (normally an original FCC paper license with an issue date before March 20, 1987). You are required by the ARRL to pay the $15 exam fee and a form will be issued your “instant” approval for a General Class license. Operation in the General Class bands is still subject to the “appears in the license database” requirements as described above.

I passed the Technical/General written exam before March 20, 1987, but my license expired since then. I want to return to the hobby and was told I could go directly to a General Class?

Yes! Anyone who no longer has a valid license but can demonstrate proof of holding a license prior to March 20, 1987, can be issued an immediate Element 3 license credit (General class) upon passing the Element 2 (Technician Class) exam. You must provide proof of your license status (normally an original FCC paper license with an issue date before March 20, 1987). Upon successful passing of the Element 2 exam, your license paperwork will be noted with an Element 3 credit and processed as a General Class license. Operation is still subject to the “appears in the license database” requirements as described above.

Accessibility and Special Test Sessions

The SARA VE Teams holds its exam sessions in public locations that, in general, have accessibility accommodations where possible. If you have any accessibility concerns about the test, please contact the VE Team Lead (info above) with your question.

VE teams are permitted and encouraged to provide special accommodations (subject to certain rules and conditions) to candidates who may have one or more accessibility challenges that prevent them from participating in a regular test session. Sight-impaired, hearing-impaired, dyslexic, home-bound, and similar candidates can often be given a test with accommodations for their unique requirements. If you have such a special need or have questions about what might be possible to support an accessible exam session, please contact the VE Team Lead listed above. The SARA VE Team is willing and able to hold special test sessions for individuals who have special considerations, including in-home test sessions with advance notice and preparation.