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FREE FCC Amateur Radio Technician License Exam Guide 2026: 35 Questions, 26/35 Pass, $15 FCC Fee, Pool Transition July 1 (Practice)
Key Facts
- The FCC Technician Class license is entry-level with no prerequisites, no age minimum, and a 10-year renewable term. Source: 47 CFR Part 97.
- Element 2 is 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from a public ~423-question NCVEC pool. Source: NCVEC Question Pool Committee.
- Passing requires 26 of 35 correct (about 74%). Source: NCVEC Question Pool Committee.
- The current 2022-2026 NCVEC Technician pool expires June 30, 2026; the 2026-2030 pool takes effect July 1, 2026. Source: NCVEC.
- Total federal cost is a $15 FCC application fee via CORES plus a $14-$25 VE session fee. Source: FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau; ARRL VEC.
- Technicians have full privileges above 50 MHz plus limited HF on 10 m (CW/SSB/digital) and CW on 15/40/80 m. Source: 47 CFR Part 97.
- Element 2 is divided into 10 subelements (T1 through T0) covering rules, operating, propagation, electronics, antennas, and RF safety. Source: NCVEC Technician Pool.
- The Morse code (Element 1) requirement was eliminated by the FCC in February 2007. Source: FCC Report and Order WT Docket 05-235.
- Since 2021, every amateur station must perform an MPE evaluation at installation; the prior categorical exemption was eliminated. Source: 47 CFR § 1.1310.
- After passing, candidates must pay the $15 FCC fee via CORES within 10 days of the FCC email or the application is dismissed. Source: FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
FCC Amateur Radio Technician License Exam Guide 2026: The Only Walkthrough Built Around the Real Element 2 Pool, the July 1, 2026 Pool Transition, and the VE Session
The FCC Amateur Radio Technician Class license is the entry-level federal license that lets you legally transmit on the U.S. amateur radio bands. It is the gateway to the entire ham radio service — emergency communications, satellite operating, repeater work on 2 m and 70 cm, weak-signal VHF/UHF, digital modes like FT8 and DMR, and a defined slice of HF privileges on 10 m, 15 m, 40 m, and 80 m. There are no prerequisites , no prior radio experience required, no Morse code requirement (dropped in 2007), and the license is valid 10 years with simple renewal.
The exam — Element 2 — is 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from a public ~423-question pool maintained by the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) . Passing requires 26 of 35 correct (about 74%) . The exam is administered by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) at sessions hosted by Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) — most commonly the ARRL VEC and the W5YI VEC — and the federal cost is a $15 FCC application fee plus a $14-$25 session fee charged by the VE team.
CRITICAL 2026 timing. The current Technician Class question pool — the 2022-2026 pool released by NCVEC and effective July 1, 2022 — expires June 30, 2026 . A new 2026-2030 pool takes effect July 1, 2026 . If you are studying in April, May, or June 2026 , you should test under the current pool before June 30 — every study guide, app, and practice tool aligned to the 2022-2026 pool becomes obsolete on July 1. If you are studying after July 1, 2026, you must use materials updated for the 2026-2030 pool. Verify the current pool status with NCVEC (ncvec.org) before scheduling.
This guide is the comprehensive 2026 walkthrough: pool transition timing, the FCC license-class ladder (Technician → General → Amateur Extra), Element 2 structure, all 10 subelements (T1 through T0) with deep dives, costs, registration via VE session, FCC application via the Universal Licensing System (ULS), study plan, free and paid resources, test-day strategy, common pitfalls, career and emergency-communications value, and the upgrade ladder. Start free practice now.
FCC Amateur Radio Technician License At-a-Glance (2026)
- Item Detail (2026)
- Licensing Body Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
- Statutory Basis Communications Act of 1934, as amended; FCC Part 97 — Amateur Radio Service (47 CFR Part 97)
- Exam Element Element 2 (Technician Class)
- Exam Format 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from a public pool of ~423 questions
- Passing Score 26 of 35 correct (~74%)
- Question Pool (current) NCVEC 2022-2026 Technician Pool — effective July 1, 2022; expires June 30, 2026
- Question Pool (next) NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Pool — effective July 1, 2026
- FCC Application Fee $15 (one-time, paid via FCC CORES after passing)
- VE Session Fee $14-$25 (paid to the VE team at the session; ARRL VEC standard $15)
- Eligibility None — no age minimum, no prior license, no Morse code, no prior experience
- License Term 10 years ; renewable indefinitely with no retest
Privileges All amateur frequencies above 50 MHz (6 m, 2 m, 1.25 m, 70 cm, 33 cm, 23 cm, and microwave), plus limited HF privileges on 10 m (CW + SSB + digital), 15 m / 40 m / 80 m (CW only)
Coordinating Bodies NCVEC (writes the pools); VECs (administer exams) — ARRL VEC, W5YI VEC, Laurel VEC, GLAARG, etc.
- Study Time 20-40 hours over 4-6 weeks for most candidates
- Delivery In-person at VE session, or online via remote VE sessions (ARRL VEC, GLAARG, W5YI offer online)
Source: FCC Part 97 (47 CFR); NCVEC Question Pool Committee; ARRL.