FCC Test Administration Information How it Works FCC tests are taken to obtain various commercial LICENSES for radio applications. The licenses are broken down into testing ELEMENTS. All the applicant needs to bring to the examination is positive identification. Please note that there may be more than one element to a license. The elements, their descriptions and testing fees are listed below. Different combinations of the elements are required for each commercial license. License Classes & Element Descriptions License Class Required Test Elements Marine Radio Operator s Permit (MP) 1 General Radio Telephone Operator (PG) 1,3 GMDSS Radio Operator (DO) 1,7 GMDSS Radio Maintainer (DM) 1,3,9 GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer (DB) 1,3,7,9 Ship Radar Endorsement 8 *Ship Radar endorsement can be attached to PG, DM & DB Element Questions Minimum Description to Pass 1 24 18 Basic radio law & operating practice 3 100 75 Electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair and maintain radio equipment 7 100 75 GMDSS radio operating practices 8 50 38 Ship radar techniques 9 50 38 GMDSS radio maintenance practices & procedures Test sites only administer written examinations no Telegraphy elements Test and Application Fees Test Fees: $60 for the first element. $30 for each additional element taken in the same day. All exams must be scheduled together at the time of registration to receive discount. Retests on same day is highly discouraged! There is no other application fee required at this time. Page 1
FCC License Upgrade & Test Equivalencies Equivalencies: If an applicant is upgrading their license, they will not need to test on the elements of the license they already possess as long as their FCC license is valid or renewable (less than 5 years expired). The license they hold is EQUIVALENT to the test elements listed in the LICENSE CLASSES on page 1. Here are examples of some equivalencies: MP = Element 1 PG= Element 1 & 3 (or evidence of MP and element 3) PG to GMDSS Maintainer (DM) = Elements 1, 3 & 9 (or evidence of PG and element 9) Any questions, don t hesitate to call Lindsay Brent - Phone #: (800) 947-4228 ext. 247 Useful FCC Information How long until the applicant receives their license? The COLE Manager has that information. The FCC may take as long as 4 months, but it usually runs less than 8 weeks. The applicant has complaints about the test: Instruct the applicant to write down their comments. Ask them to be as specific as possible considering the situation and to sign it. Include the comments along with the other paperwork in the envelope you send to the COLE Manager. Which elements require supplements/figures/diagrams? Elements 3, 8 & 9. Good idea to have them printed out, even though they are part of the test these days. How do I contact the COLE Manager? Contact Lindsay Brent, Phone #: (800) 947-4228 ext. 247 Email: lbrent@comiratesting.com How much time is allotted by CATS per FCC test? All elements but 7 and 7A are set at 90 minutes. Elements 7 & 7A are 120 minutes. Will the license be issued as a lifetime license? Yes, all licenses except the radiotelegraph officer s licenses are issued as lifetime. Does the applicant need to be a US citizen? The applicant must be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States, they must be issued a US Social Security Number. Can the applicant operate while his license is pending? Yes, however the candidate must contact the FCC to verify the status of their application and request a Temporary Authorization (good for 90 days) quoting 47 CFR 13.9(e). The candidate can monitor their application and license by logging into the FCC s ULS Search http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls Page 2
Administering the FCC Examination Administrative Procedures Applicant calls CATS to register: 800-947-4228 Some test sites do register their applicants. Applicant fills out FCC application. The application is available on your SilverCATS website. The candidate will need all 4 pages. Center: (optional) Make a copy for your files. Not all applicants can be encouraged to take all the tests for the licenses in the same day. The test site can hold the accomplished tests and application until all elements for the license are completed before mailing to the COLE Manager. Verify 2 forms of ID (at least one picture ID). Use the Daily SIGN IN/OUT LOG and APPLICANT CHECKLIST used for FAA exams. *Note some items on the checklist are NON APPLICABLE. Post Test Procedures Note: If the applicant is testing on a license class requiring more than one element and testing on separate days, you can HOLD the application in a special pending file at your testing center until ALL elements are taken. Handling Score Reports The proctor must emboss all three score reports Both the proctor and the applicant must sign all three score reports Two copies of the score report go to the applicant (one for filing and one for personal records) One copy of the score report is kept for your files Once all of the elements of the license class are complete, the candidate can then mail the whole package to: FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 1270 Fairfield Road Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245 Page 3
Examinations To obtain an FCC commercial operator license, an applicant must submit an original Proof of Passing Certificate issued by a Commercial Operator License Examination Manager (COLEM), or have the application filed electronically by the COLEM, demonstrating that the applicant has passed the required written elements, as illustrated in the table below. Written Elements Telegraphy Elements Type of License 1 3 5 6 7 7R 8 9 1 2 3 4 General Radiotelephone Operator License Marine Radio Operator Permit GMDSS Radio Operator's License Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License Ship Radar Endorsement Written Examination Elements [Note: From time to time, the Commission may change the number of questions to be included in the examination for a particular element and/or the number of answers needed to pass the examination. The Commission will issue a public notice or take other action to inform the public of any such change.] Element 1: Basic radio law and operating practice with which every maritime radio operator should be familiar. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 18 out of 24 questions. Element 3: General Radiotelephone. Electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer 75 out of 100 questions, from the following categories: operating procedures radio wave propagation radio practice electrical principles circuit components practical circuits signals and emissions antennas and feed lines Element 7: GMDSS Radio Operating Practices. GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices sufficient to show detailed practical knowledge of the operation of all GMDSS sub-systems and equipment. The exam consists of questions from the following categories: general information, narrowband direct-printing, INMARSAT, NAVTEX, digital selective calling, and survival craft. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least at least 75 out of 100 questions. Page 4
Element 7R: Restricted GMDSS Radio Operating Practices. Fifty questions concerning those GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices that are applicable to ship stations on vessels that sail exclusively in sea area A1, as defined in sections 80.1069 and 80.1081 of the Commission's Rules. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions. Element 8: Ship Radar Techniques. Specialized theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing, and maintenance of ship radar equipment in general use for marine navigation purposes. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions. Element 9: GMDSS Radio Maintenance Practices and Procedures. Requirements set forth in IMO Assembly on Training for Radio Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 5 and IMO Assembly on Radio Maintenance Guidelines for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System related to Sea Areas A3 and A4. The exam consists of questions from the following categories: radio system theory, amplifiers, power sources, troubleshooting, digital theory, and GMDSS equipment and regulations. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions. Examination Procedures Use of reference materials in commercial operator license examinations is not permitted. Do not bring any books, papers, notes, study guides, or other unauthorized aids or devices to an examination. Excerpted from: http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=examinations Page 5