Explore: Study & Exam Prep

Whether you’re preparing for your first Technician ticket or upgrading to Extra class, these study guides, video courses, and practice exam sites will help prepare you for test day.

Free Study Resources

Paid Courses & Premium Materials

  • Ham Radio Prep (Paid) — Online video courses for all three license levels with progress tracking, practice exams, and a mobile app. Also offers free practice tests.
  • HamTestOnline (Paid) — Adaptive online study system that focuses on your weak areas. Covers Tech, General, and Extra.
  • Gordon West License Prep (Paid) — Long-running study books with audio courses by WB6NOA. Popular for their conversational teaching style.
  • The Fast Track to your Ham Radio License (paid) – a comprehensive study system to help you quickly and effectively pass your exams.

Official Exam Question Pools

  • NCVEC Question Pools (Free) — Official source for all current FCC exam question pools — Technician (2026–2030), General (2023–2027), Extra (2024–2028).
  • ARRL Question Pool Downloads (Free) — Download the current question pools as PDFs with errata and withdrawn questions noted.

Practice Exam Sites

  • HamStudy.org (Free) — Adaptive flash cards and timed practice exams for all license classes with question explanations.
  • HamExam.org (Free) — Free practice exams with account tracking since 2003. Updated with the 2026–2030 Tech pool.
  • QRZ Practice Exams (Free) — Practice tests from the world’s leading amateur radio callsign database.
  • ARRL Exam Review (Free) — Official ARRL practice exams — review by chapter or topic, with short explanations for each answer.
  • AA9PW Exam Practice (Free) — Practice exams plus Morse code training tools — a veteran resource for exam preparation.
  • Ham Radio Prep Practice Tests (Free) — Unlimited free practice tests following exact FCC/NCVEC guidelines with detailed score reports.

What You Will Need Before Your Exam

  • A valid photo ID
  • Your FCC Registration Number (FRN) – register at the FCC CORES website prior to your exam. If you need help setting up your FRN, you can call the FCC Licensing Hotline (877-480-3201) select option 1.
  • The FCC charges a $35 application fee for new licenses. Candidates under 18 may qualify for the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program, which reimburses this fee.
  • Note: There will also be an exam fee which is usually around $15 – it will vary depending on where you take the test.

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