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FCC Radio License Exam Prep

FCC Ham and Commercial Radio License Practice Tests, built from the actual exam question pools

Prepare for the Technician, General, Amateur Extra, or commercial GROL exam with real practice questions, official schematics, and plain-English explanations tied to FCC rules.

CHOOSE YOUR EXAM

Find your radio license exam.

Amateur radio and commercial FCC licenses, each with its own question pool, pass mark and time limit. Pick a service to narrow the list.

Not sure which exam to take? Help me choose
TECHTechnician Class (Element 2)35 questions on exam · 1.5 hr limit · 74% passingNCVEC 2026-2030409Start Free
GENGeneral Class (Element 3)35 questions on exam · 1.5 hr limit · 74% passingNCVEC 2023-2027423Start Free
EXTRAAmateur Extra Class (Element 4)50 questions on exam · 2.0 hr limit · 74% passingNCVEC 2024-2028599Start Free
EL1Element 1: Marine Radio Law24 questions on exam · 1.0 hr limit · 75% passingFCC / COLEM 2009144Start Free
GROLElement 3: General Radiotelephone (GROL)100 questions on exam · 2.5 hr limit · 75% passingFCC / COLEM 2009600Start Free
RADARElement 8: Ship Radar Techniques50 questions on exam · 1.5 hr limit · 76% passingFCC / COLEM 2009300Start Free
GMDSSElement 7: GMDSS Operating Practices100 questions on exam · 2.5 hr limit · 75% passingFCC / COLEM 2019600Start Free
7RElement 7R: Restricted GMDSS Practices50 questions on exam · 1.5 hr limit · 76% passingFCC / COLEM 2012300Start Free
EL9Element 9: GMDSS Radio Maintenance50 questions on exam · 1.5 hr limit · 76% passingFCC / COLEM 2012300Start Free
THE READINESS ALGORITHM

Know how ready you are before booking your test session.

The Airwaves IQ Readiness Score is a weighted score built from your own practice answers. It shows where you stand, and it is a study guide, not a guarantee of a result:

  • 60%Answer Accuracy: The share of the questions you have answered that you got right.
  • 40%Pool Coverage: How much of the full question pool you have worked through across all subelements.
92%
EXAMPLE SCORE
Example readiness report

Illustration only. Your score comes from your own practice answers.

GROUNDED PROVENANCE

Every answer carries its verified statutory source.

A plausible-looking answer can be confidently wrong, and without a verified citation you would have no way to know. Every Airwaves IQ answer cites the exact 47 CFR rule or official syllabus locator it comes from.

  • Grounded in Title 47 CFR RegulationsEvery question traces to a specific FCC rule (Part 97, Part 80, Part 13) or official NCVEC syllabus topic. Zero hallucinated claims.
  • Automated Python Math DerivationsEvery frequency calculation, wavelength formula, dB ratio, and Ohm's law problem is verified by executing automated derivation scripts.
  • Official Schematics, Shown Where the Exam Shows ThemEvery question that refers to a circuit, block diagram or radar display shows the official figure (43 in total), with zoom and rotate.
Part 97 · Technician Sample SOURCE-VERIFIED

What is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators in their HF band segments?

A200 watts PEP
B100 watts PEP
C1,500 watts PEP
D50 watts PEP
FCC source · 47 CFR § 97.313(c)(1)

“No station may transmit with a transmitter power output exceeding 200 W PEP on the 80 m, 40 m, 15 m, or 10 m bands...”

PLANS

Pay once. No subscription.

A plan covers all the exams needed for a license.

Single Exam Plan
$29

One-time payment · 90 days of access

Everything for one amateur license: choose Technician, General, or Amateur Extra.

  • Full verified question bank for 1 amateur license: Technician, General, or Amateur Extra
  • High-resolution, zoomable schematic diagrams and circuit figures
  • Subelement tracking and a readiness score
  • Automatic bank updates when NCVEC releases errata

Exam fees are separate. Amateur: $35 FCC fee plus a VEC session fee, often $0 (see the FCC fee page). Commercial: COLEM and FCC fees vary (see the FCC commercial page). Airwaves IQ is paid once, no auto-renewal.

Test preparation only. Not affiliated with the FCC or NCVEC.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there state-specific differences or state-level radio exams?+

No. The FCC is a federal regulatory agency operating under Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. An FCC amateur or commercial license is 100% federal, carrying identical legal privileges across all 50 states, US territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa), and at sea. You do not take a state-specific exam; the official question pools are identical nationwide.

How and where do I actually take the official FCC exam?+

Amateur exams (Technician, General, Extra) are administered nationwide by accredited Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) such as the ARRL, W5YI, GLAARG, or Laurel VEC. You can take them in-person at local hamfests and radio clubs, or online via live remote proctoring over Zoom from the comfort of your home. Commercial exams (GROL, Radar, GMDSS) are administered at computer testing centers (such as PSI) through certified COLEMs.

Can I take more than one exam in a single session?+

Yes! In amateur radio, once you pass the Technician exam, VEC teams routinely invite you to sit for the General and Extra exams in the same session, though session fees vary by VEC team. That is why our All Amateur Licenses Plan covers all three licenses together.

How much does the official FCC license cost?+

For amateur licenses, the FCC application fee is $35, plus a VEC session fee that varies by team and is sometimes $0. For commercial licenses, COLEM exam fees vary by provider and FCC filing fees depend on the license; commercial licenses are normally valid for the lifetime of the holder. Check the FCC fee pages for current amounts. Airwaves IQ is preparation only and does not set or collect these fees.

Is Airwaves IQ a recurring monthly subscription?+

No. Airwaves IQ is one-time pricing with no auto-renewal: $29 for the Single Exam Plan (90 days of access), $59 for the All Amateur Licenses Plan (12 months), and commercial license plans from $45 to $79 (6 months). See the pricing page for every plan.