Volunteer examiners
| Volunteer examiners | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | VE |
| Role | Give US amateur license exams |
| Accredited by | A Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) |
| Rules | FCC Part 97, Subpart F |
| Exam sessions | |
| Examiners per session | At least three |
| Formats | In person, or remote over video |
| Session fee | Set by each VEC; some charge nothing |
| FCC fee | Separate application fee for new licenses and some other applications |
| Becoming a VE | |
| Minimum license | General (Technician exam only) |
| Minimum age | 18 |
Volunteer examiners (VEs) are licensed amateurs who give the exams for US amateur radio licenses. Since the 1980s the FCC has not administered amateur exams itself. Instead it relies on VEs, working in teams under organizations called Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs), to give every Technician, General and Amateur Extra exam in the country, at club meetings, libraries, hamfests and, increasingly, online. VEs are unpaid.
How the system works
A VEC is an organization that has an agreement with the FCC to coordinate exam sessions. Several exist, including the ARRL VEC run by the ARRL, the W5YI-VEC, the Laurel VEC and the GLAARG VEC, along with smaller and regional groups. Each VEC accredits its own VEs, schedules and supports sessions, and files the results of successful candidates with the FCC. A VE may serve only at sessions coordinated by a VEC that has accredited them, though many VEs hold accreditation from more than one. Together, the VECs maintain the question pools through the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC).
Each exam session is run by a team of at least three VEs, who must be present and observing throughout. They check identification, give the exams, grade them on the spot and certify the results. The rules in Part 97 keep the process clean: VEs may not examine their own relatives, may not be paid for their work, and may only be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.
Exam sessions
In-person sessions are the traditional format. Candidates bring photo identification and their FCC Registration Number (FRN), pay the session fee if there is one, and take the exam on paper or on a computer or tablet while the team watches. Results are announced as soon as the exams are graded. A candidate who passes receives a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE), which counts as credit for the passed element for 365 days. Many teams let a candidate who passes one element try the next at the same session, and let a candidate who fails try a different version, sometimes for another fee.
Remote sessions became common in 2020. The candidate joins a video call from home, usually shows the room and desk on camera, and takes the exam in a web browser while the VEs watch. Each VEC sets its own requirements for cameras, room setup and identification.
Fees
Two separate fees may apply. The session fee is set by the VEC to cover the costs of running exams. It varies from one VEC to another, and some VECs charge nothing. The FCC application fee is charged by the FCC itself for a new license and for some other applications, such as renewals and vanity call sign requests. It was set at $35 when introduced in 2022; check the FCC's current fees before applying. After a session the FCC emails the new licensee with payment instructions, and the license is granted once the fee is paid.
Becoming a VE
To be accredited, a VE must be at least 18 years old, hold a General, Advanced or Amateur Extra license, and never have had an amateur license revoked or suspended. Accreditation usually involves an application and a short open-book test or training on the VEC's procedures. The license a VE holds determines which exams they may give:
| VE's license class | May give |
|---|---|
| General | Element 2 (Technician) only |
| Advanced | Elements 2 and 3 (Technician and General) |
| Amateur Extra | All elements, including Element 4 (Extra) |
Most VEs join a local team run by a club, which holds sessions on a regular schedule. A session typically takes a few hours, and the work is mostly checking paperwork, watching candidates and grading carefully. It is one of the most direct ways to bring new people into the hobby.