Ham Radio Testing

with Sportsman’s Paradise Amateur Radio Club

The Sportsman’s Paradise Amateur Radio Club proudly offers regular ham radio license testing for anyone in Wakulla County and the surrounding North Florida region who is ready to join or advance within the amateur radio community. Our volunteer examiners provide a welcoming, supportive testing environment whether you’re earning your first Technician license or upgrading to General or Amateur Extra. Testing sessions are held in coordination with our monthly club activities, making it easy to connect with local operators and become part of a growing, active radio community.

LARC

Dates and Times

2026 Ham License Testing Dates:

  • Jan 8
  • March 12
  • May 14
  • July 9
  • Sept 10
  • Nov 12

All times are 6:30pm

Location

Testing sessions are held at the Wakulla County Public Library.

  • 4330 Crawfordville Highway (Hwy 319)
  • Library is located about 2 miles South of the Wakulla County Courthouse, or
  • About 3 miles North of Wakulla High School.
  • We are usually holding the test session in the large room on the South end of the building (enter main entrance and go left)

Registration

Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. Email us for registration.  We are currently limiting group size at each session, and seats can fill up fast. We can keep you on a list should a seat become available last minute if a session is full, as well as reserve a seat for you on later dates.

Fees

There are no fees to take the test with our group, but you will be required to pay the FCC a $35 fee to have your license activated once you do pass the exam. This $35 fee applies to new hams and is also required to renew your license once every ten years.  If you are looking to upgrade from Tech to General (or Extra), there will not be a fee.  You have 10 days from passing the exam to pay the FCC and activate your license. This fee is payable directly to the FCC. Our Volunteer Examiner team will not collect any money from you on their behalf.  Specific instructions on how to pay the fee are here.

Had an ‘uh-oh’ in a previous life?

If you have ever been convicted of a felony, please read these instructions. A felony record will not immediately disqualify you from obtaining your amateur radio license, but an extra step is involved in the process.

Preparing for the Amateur Radio Exam

You can prepare for your amateur radio exam in whatever way works best for you—books, YouTube videos, flashcards, online courses, or a mix of all of them. As you study, be sure to take practice tests so you can see how close you are to passing.

A great free resource is HamExam.org, which lets you take unlimited sample tests and keeps track of your progress.

Books your preference?

The ARRL – Amateur Radio Relay League and Gordon West are two great resources for books to study.

ARRL – http://www.arrl.org/shop/Beginners/

Gordon West – https://www.gordonwestradioschool.com/main/page_w5yi_training_resources.html

Video your preference?

Check out this ham’s you-tube channel!

W4EEY – https://www.youtube.com/c/W4EEY/playlists

What to bring

You may also check https://www.laurelvec.com/?pg=faq more detailed list.

  • We are affiliated with the Laurel Amateur Radio Club VEC program! This means we are not required to charge a fee for testing. Test are Free!
  • Your FRN – All new amateur radio license applicants must register with the FCC for an Federal Registration Number before the testing session. You may register for an FRN here (No fee to get this number). If you find the process intimidating, see the FCC’s video on how to obtain your FRN here. Your Social Security number is no longer accepted at test sessions. However it may be required to obtain your FRN.
  • Pen & pencil
  • Calculator (optional) – please note: the memory will need to be cleared if it is a programmable type!  Cell phone calculators not allowed. Simple calculators are usually available to borrow during sessions (just ask!).
  • Identification:
    • One (1) of these:
      • Driver’s license
      • Passport
      • Other government-issued photo ID
    • OR Two (2) of these:
      • Non-photo ID or driver’s license issued by a government
      • Social Security Card
      • Original or Certified copy of birth certificate
      • Minor’s work permit, school report card, or school ID card.
      • Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person
      • Postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address
  • If you are already licensed, bring the ORIGINAL or a COPY of your License.
  • Your email address. An email address is now required to process applications. By mid 2021, the FCC will require an email address as well for business correspondence. Your email will not be used for spamming.
  • If you are claiming any credit for previous exams, bring the ORIGINAL and a COPY of your CSCE. (This is uncommon. If you have a license, bring that instead). The CSCE is only valid for 365 days once issued.

Read this – Great Deal for New Hams!

Once you are Licensed, go visit this link to learn how to get a handheld radio, programming software, all for about $25.

https://www.gigaparts.com/qrzjumpstart

 

**We are currently running a pilot program that allows you to take home the above radio package upon successful completion of your exam with us. For $25, you’ll get the handheld radio, software, one year of QRZ.com, and also the Current Year membership with our club!  You must take the exam with us and take advantage of this offer at that time. Otherwise, the original offer is still good with Giaparts.com up to six months within obtaining your Technician License (does not include local club membership).

Amateur Radio Testing — Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amateur Radio testing?

Amateur Radio testing are sessions where you can take the FCC license exams required to operate on amateur (ham) radio frequencies. Passing an exam earns you a Technician, General, or Extra class license depending on the test you take.

Who provides the testing?

The Sportsman’s Paradise Amateur Radio Club (SPARC) hosts Volunteer Examiner (VE) team sessions. These are licensed amateur radio operators authorized to administer FCC exams.

When and where are test sessions held?

Test sessions are typically given on the second Thursday of every odd-numbered month at the Wakulla County Public Library in Crawfordville, Florida.

Do I need to be a club member to test?

No. You do not have to join the club to participate in the testing sessions. Anyone interested in earning or upgrading an amateur radio license is welcome.

What license classes can I test for?

Most VE sessions include testing for:

  • Technician Class — entry level
  • General Class — intermediate privileges
  • Extra Class — highest level of amateur radio license

(The exact offerings may depend on the VE team and current session schedules.)

What should I bring to a test session?

Bring:

  • A government-issued photo ID
  • Your FCC Registration Number (FRN) (if you already have one)
  • Any previous license or CSCE (if upgrading)

Tip: If you haven’t obtained an FRN yet, you can get one for free from the FCC ULS system ahead of time.

Is there a fee to take the test?

Yes, most test sessions charge a nominal fee to cover administrative costs. The exact amount will be listed on the session notice.

How can I prepare for the exam?

You can study using:

  • Online practice exams
  • Apps and flashcards
  • Study guides for Technician, General, and Extra classes
  • Practice tests are available through sites like HamStudy.org and others.

 

What happens after I pass the exam?

Once you pass, your results are submitted to the FCC. When processed, you’ll be assigned a call sign that you can use on the air. You can then legally transmit within the frequency privileges of the license class you earned.

Can I upgrade my license at the same session?

Yes! If you already hold a license (Technician or General), you can often take the next level exam (General or Extra) at the same test session if available.

What if I don’t pass?

If you don’t pass a particular element, you can usually retest at the same session (or a future one) for that element only. You’ll want to keep studying and practice with mock exams.

Who can I contact for more information?

Contact the Sportsman’s Paradise Amateur Radio Club by completing our contact form or send us an email.