There are three license levels, or "license classes" which are Technician class, General class and Extra Class. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants these licenses. With only 3 License Classes, getting started in ham radio has never been easier!

STEP 1: Technician Class License

• EXAM REQUIREMENT: 35-question Technician Written Exam (Element 2); No Morse Code Exam
• PRIVILEGES: All VHF/UHF amateur bands (frequencies above 30 MHz).
• A good place to start is order the ARRL technician study guide , Includes the latest question pool with answer key, for use July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014 or study online at this link.. Technician Class License Study Guide - (For use after July 1, 2010 through June 2014) 

The most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 question multiple-choice written examination. The test is written with the beginner in mind. The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse Code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment.

STEP 2: General Class License (upgrade from Technician)

• EXAM REQUIREMENTS: 35-question General Written Exam (Element 3) and 5 words-per-minute. Morse Code Exam (Element 1)
• PRIVILEGES: All VHF/UHF amateur bands and most HF privileges (10 through 160 meters).
• General Class study guide For use after July 1, 2007 through June 2011. Figure G7-1 Component Symbol Primer (Requires Power Point or a Power Point viewer)

Technicians may upgrade to General Class by passing a 5 words-per-minute Morse Code test and a 35-question multiple-choice written examination. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on HF applications. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 1 Morse Code Exam and Element 2 and Element 3 Written Exams to earn a General License. The FCC grants exam element 1 and/or 3 credit to individuals that previously held an old Novice or an old Technician license.

The General Class is a giant step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF privileges granted to General licensees allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some people prefer to earn the General Class license as their first ticket, so they may operate on HF right away. In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators are authorized to operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use significant segments of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands.

STEP 3: Extra Class License (upgrade from General)

• EXAM REQUIREMENT: 50-question Extra Written Exam (Element 4)
• PRIVILEGES: All amateur privileges.
• LICENSE STUDY MATERIALS

General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination. No further Morse code test is required. In addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design. Frankly, the test is very difficult, but others have passed it, and you can too. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 1 Morse Code Exam and Element 2, Element 3 and Element 4 Written Exams to earn an Extra License. The FCC grants exam element 1 and/or element 3 credit to individuals that previously held an old Novice or an old Technician license.

The HF bands can be awfully crowded, particularly at the top of the solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for more room. The Extra Class license is the answer. Extra Class licensees are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service.

The exams on RadioExam.org were originally designed for students at a class to practice before taking their exams. This uses the real FCC questions, and makes sample exams the same way the official examiners make the real exams. So it's just practice but the material is for real. When this site was opened for the public to use, the feedback we've gotten indicates that once you're regularly passing this practice, you are ready for the real exam.