How to Become Licensed as an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator
The FCC’s General Radiotelephone Operator License, known as the GROL, is a commercial license. It replaces the former First Class, Second Class, and Third Class Radiotelephone licenses.
The GROL lets you adjust, maintain, and repair radio transmitters. This applies to aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. Many broadcast engineers hold this license, as well.
Here’s how to get your GROL License.
Step 1: Understand What the GROL Covers
The GROL lets you work on FCC-licensed radiotelephone transmitters. It covers stations in aviation and maritime services. It’s required for compulsorily equipped ship stations above 1,500 watts of peak envelope power. It’s also required for aircraft stations above 1,000 watts. Note that the GROL does not cover GMDSS equipment. It also doesn’t cover amateur radio or radiotelegraph stations.
Step 2: Check the Basic Requirements
You don’t need prior radio experience. You do need to be eligible for employment in the United States. You must be able to send and receive spoken messages in English. There’s no age minimum, though younger applicants are rare.
Step 3: Study Element 1
Element 1 covers basic radio law and operating practice. This is the same element used across most commercial radio licenses. The exam has 24 multiple choice questions. You need 18 correct to pass. That’s a 75 percent passing score.
Step 4: Study Element 3
Element 3 covers general radiotelephone theory. This exam is bigger and more technical. It has 100 questions. You need 75 correct to pass. Topics include electrical principles, circuit components, radio wave propagation, antennas, and signal types. Study guides from companies like Master Publishing cover this material well. Online question pools also help, since the exam draws from a fixed, published set of questions.
Step 5: Find a COLEM
You can’t test directly through the FCC. Testing happens through a Commercial Operator License Examination Manager, called a COLEM. Several COLEMs operate nationwide. Search online for a testing location near you. Some COLEMs offer remote online testing too.
Step 6: Take the Exams
Sit for Element 1 and Element 3. You can take them together or separately. Once you pass, the COLEM issues a Proof of Passing Certificate.
Step 7: Apply to the FCC
File FCC Form 605. Submit it within 365 days of passing your Element exams. Attach your Proof of Passing Certificate. Many COLEMs will file this paperwork for you electronically. A modest FCC fee usually applies.
Step 8: Receive Your License!
Processing takes a few weeks in most cases. The GROL doesn’t expire once issued. It’s a lifetime license.
Adding the Ship Radar Endorsement
The Ship Radar Endorsement is an add-on. It lets you install, service, and maintain marine radar systems. You can add it to your GROL. It can also attach to the GMDSS Radio Maintainer’s License and the Radiotelegraph Operator License.
To earn it, you pass a separate exam called Element 8. This covers ship radar theory and practice. It includes specialized knowledge for installing and repairing radar gear used in marine navigation. The exam has 50 questions. You need 38 correct to pass.
You take Element 8 through the same COLEM system. You can test for it alongside Element 1 and 3, or add it later. Once you pass, submit another Form 605 with your new Proof of Passing Certificate. The FCC then adds the endorsement to your existing license record.