Getting Your General Class Ham Radio License
The General class license is the second step of three license steps in amateur radio. It opens up most of the HF bands for your to explore and enjoy. These are the frequencies used for long-distance and international contact. Here’s how to get your Ham Radio General Class License…
Step 1: Get Your Technician License First
Step 1: First You’ll Need to Pass the Technician License Test
You need a Technician License before you can upgrade to the General Class ticket. Passing the Technician License test is the entry-level license to upgrade to General Class. No exceptions exist to this rule. If you don’t have a Technician License yet, start there.
Step 2: Study the Question Pool
The General exam draws from a set list of questions in the published question pool. The pool is updated every few years (and sometimes sooner if an error in a question or answer is detected). The current pool has over questions, but you will only see 35 of them on your actual test.
Buy a study guide or use free online resources. Some of those online resources are linked here.
Step 3: Learn the Material
The General exam covers more technical ground than the Technician License test. You’ll learn about electrical theory. You’ll study antenna types and how they work. You’ll cover signal propagation, which is how radio waves travel. You’ll also learn operating rules for the HF bands.
Give yourself upwards of four weeks of study time. Study a reasonable amount of the material each day. Thirty minutes daily works better than one long weekend cram session.
Some online exam guides and practice tests for the General Class exam are linked on this page.
Step 4: Take Practice Tests
Practice tests matter. Take them. Take them often. Keep taking them until you consistently score above 80 percent. This builds your confidence. It also shows you where your weak spots are, so you can go back and focus your studies on those weak spots.
Step 5: Find a Testing Session
As you know from your Technician License test, volunteer examiners run these tests. They’re called VEs. Search the ARRL website or other VE Coordinators for a session near you. Many clubs host regular test sessions. Some testing is now done online too.
Bring a valid photo ID. You’ll also need for FCC FRN number. Bring a copy of your Technician License (unless you plan to take the Technician License test in the same sitting as your General Class test (yes, some people site for both exams in the same session). If you’re already licensed, bring your FCC-issued call sign information. Some sessions require a small fee, often around 15 dollars.
Step 6: Pass the Exam
You only need 26 correct answers out of 35 questions to pass the test. That’s a 74 percent passing score. The test is multiple choice, and in most test settings there’s no official time limit.
Step 7: You Can Immediately Use General Class Bands Upon Passing the Test!
Your VE team submits your results to the FCC through its Volunteer Examiner Coordinator. This usually happens within a few days, and your FCC ULS record will be updated soon thereafter. But there’s good news!
GOOD NEWS! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE FCC TO UPDATE ITS RECORDS TO USE YOUR NEW OPERATING PRIVILEGES!
Ham radio operators who upgrade to a General class license may immediately operate with their new privileges as soon as they receive their Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) from the testing center Volunteer Examiners (VEs). This is before your upgrade appears in the official FCC database.
Operating Requirements for New Generals Awaiting their ULS Record to Update…
You’ll Need to Use a Special Identifier: When operating on General class frequencies before the FCC database updates, you must add the /AG (Amateur General) suffix to your call sign. Spoken, you’d say “W1XYZ Slash AG” to indicate you’re operating in the General Bands by the authority of your CSCE, but don’t lie! If caught you’d be subject to an FCC enforcement action…not a good thing!
You’ll need /AG ONLY when you use your New Privileges: You do not need to use the /AG identifier when operating under your previous Technician License privileges, as those are already recorded in the active FCC database. Stop Using Identifier Once Updated: You stop using the /AG suffix as soon as your official upgrade shows up in the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS).
That’s it. Let’s recap: Start with your Technician License license exam before you start your General Class exam. Pass the test with at least 74%. Get your copy of the CSCE. If using phone in the new band segments, add “slash AG” to the end of your call sign.