Types of Amateur Radio Licenses Available to Earn
The Technician License
The Technician class license is the entry-level license for new ham radio operators.
To earn the Technician license requires passing a 35-question examination on radio theory, regulations and operating practices.
The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz, allowing these licensees the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America. It also allows for some limited privileges on the HF (also called “short wave”) bands used for international communications.
The General License
The General class license is an upgrade from Technician class license and is the second license level.
Earning the General class license requires passing a 35-question examination.
The general class license grants some operating privileges on all Amateur Radio bands and all operating modes. This license opens the door to world-wide communications.
The Amateur Extra License
The Amateur Extra class license is an upgrade from the General class license.
Earning the license is more difficult; it requires passing a thorough 50-question examination.
The Amateur Extra class license conveys all available U.S. Amateur Radio operating privileges on all bands and all modes.