June 27, 2026
The Two-Year Grace Period: Renewing an Expired Ham License
The FCC gives expired amateur radio licensees two years to renew without retesting. Here's how the grace period works and what steps to take.
One of the most licensee-friendly provisions in FCC amateur radio rules is the two-year grace period for expired licenses. If your ham license expires and you do not renew before the expiration date, you have up to two years after that date to file for late renewal — without taking the exam again. Your call sign is preserved during this window.
What the Grace Period Allows
During the two-year grace period after a license expires:
- You may not transmit on amateur frequencies
- You may still renew without retesting
- Your call sign is reserved — it cannot be assigned to another operator
- Your license record remains in the ULS as Expired (not Cancelled)
It is critical to understand that the grace period does not extend operating privileges — it only extends the window for filing renewal paperwork. Operating while expired remains an FCC violation even within the grace period.
How to File a Late Renewal
- Log into wireless.fcc.gov/uls with your FRN credentials
- Go to My Licenses and locate the expired license
- Click Renew — the system allows renewal even for expired licenses within the grace period
- Complete the renewal form and certify the application
- Submit — no exam required, no late fee charged
Processing takes a few days. Once granted, your new expiration date is set ten years from the original expiration date. Your call sign remains yours and your license returns to Active status.
If You Do Not Know Your FRN Credentials
If you do not remember your FRN login information, use the FCC CORES password recovery system. You can also look up your FRN by searching for your call sign in the FCC ULS — the FRN appears in your license record. With the FRN in hand, you can initiate a password reset on the FCC website.
After the Grace Period
If you allow the grace period to expire without renewing, the FCC cancels your license. After cancellation, your only path back is passing the exam again from the beginning. The call sign is then available for vanity assignment by anyone who applies for it.