A VE team is affiliated with a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) organization that serves one or more geographical regions of the country. You may take your exam with any of the FCC-sanctioned VEC organizations. Exam sessions are held both in-person and online via remote meeting applications.
The FCC maintains a current list of all sanctioned VECs with links to each organization: FCC List of Current VECs →
Three of the largest VECs found across geographic regions are:
ARRL VEC
Laurel VEC
W5YI VEC
In-Person Exam Sessions
ARRL VECBroadest coverage
The ARRL VEC maintains a search engine for VE sessions that includes sessions offered by ARRL and by any other VEC whose team submits information to ARRL for inclusion. Enter a zip code and a search radius to find exam sessions in your area.
ARRL Exam Session Finder
Laurel VECNo exam fees
Laurel VEC offers a search function for affiliated VE teams by geographic area. Enter a zip code and search radius to find Laurel VEC sessions in your area. Laurel VEC charges no examination fee.
Laurel VEC Session Finder
W5YI VEC
W5YI VEC offers a listing of both in-person and remote online VE sessions.
W5YI Session Listings
Remote / Online Exam Sessions
HamStudyOnline finder
HamStudy maintains an online exam session finder covering sessions from multiple VECs that offer remote testing.
HamStudy Online Session Finder
ARRL VECOnline teams list
ARRL maintains a list of VE teams that offer online exam sessions by appointment.
ARRL Online Exam Teams
W5YI VECIn-person & online
W5YI VEC session listings include both in-person and remote online exam sessions.
W5YI Session Listings
Note: Laurel VEC does not support online exam sessions at this time.
Registration required: Most VE teams require advance registration for a particular exam session. Contact the team for registration information, or check the organization's website before attending.
Getting an FCC Registration Number (FRN)
You will be required to have an FCC Registration Number (FRN) before attending an exam session. If you are a current Amateur Radio Service licensee, you already have an FRN and must use your existing FRN for exam registration.
If you do not yet have an FRN, you must:
a
Create an FCC account, then request issuance of an FRN by following the FCC instructions: FCC Instructions for Account Creation and FRN Requests →
b
If you think you may already have an FRN, search for it by entering your first and last name in the "Search by Registered Individual" fields: Search for Your Existing FRN →