July 1, 2026
How to Upgrade Your Ham License Class Step by Step
Moving from Technician to General, or General to Extra, requires passing the next exam. Here's the step-by-step process to upgrade your amateur radio license.
Upgrading your amateur radio license class opens new frequency privileges and is a rewarding milestone in the hobby. Whether you are moving from Technician to General or from General to Amateur Extra, the process follows the same basic pattern: study, test, and receive the updated license in the FCC database.
Step 1: Decide Which Upgrade to Pursue
The natural progression is Technician → General → Amateur Extra. You must hold each class before testing for the next one, with one exception: you can test for multiple classes in a single session. If you pass both General and Extra at the same sitting (all three exams if starting from unlicensed), the FCC will issue your Extra class license directly.
Step 2: Study the Question Pool
Each license class has its own published question pool:
- General exam: 35 questions from a pool of ~400 questions covering HF operating, propagation, antennas, and regulations
- Extra exam: 50 questions from a pool of ~700 questions covering advanced electronics, amplifiers, antenna theory, and detailed FCC regulations
Study resources include HamStudy.org (free), the ARRL license manuals, Gordon West study guides, and online video courses. Most operators spend 4-8 weeks studying for General and 2-4 months for Extra.
Step 3: Find an Exam Session
Use the ARRL exam session finder or the W5YI VEC website to locate an exam session near you. In-person and remote online sessions are available. Bring your current license, government ID, and your FRN if you have one.
Step 4: Pass the Exam
You must pass with a score of 74% or better on each exam (26/35 for General; 37/50 for Extra). If you fail, you can typically retake at the same session or at a future session.
Step 5: Receive Your Updated License
After passing, the VEs submit your upgrade to the FCC. Your license class is updated in the ULS within a few days. Your existing call sign is retained with the upgraded class notation. You can verify the upgrade on CallSignLookup by searching your call sign — the operator class field will reflect your new class once processed.