A ham radio license costs $35 in FCC fees
The FCC charges $35 for a new amateur radio license, paid online after you pass your exam. Renewing your license is $35, and asking for a vanity call sign is $35. Upgrading your license class and updating your name or address are free.
FCC amateur radio fees
| New license | $35 |
|---|---|
| Renewal | $35 |
| Vanity call sign | $35 |
| Special temporary authority | $35 |
| Rule waiver | $35 |
| Upgrade to a higher license class | No fee |
| Change of name, mailing or email address | No fee |
| Cancel a license | No fee |
| New license plus a vanity call sign later | $70 |
|---|
The fee is paid to the FCC through its CORES system, not to the exam team. The FCC does not refund fees on applications it dismisses, including vanity requests where you do not get the call sign you asked for. Volunteer exam teams may charge their own small session fee. Sources: 47 CFR 1.1102, FCC schedule of wireless application fees (eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026); FCC Public Notice DA-22-307, effective date of new wireless application fees; ARRL, FCC application fee instructions.
What this price covers
These fees are set in federal rule 47 CFR 1.1102 and took effect on April 19, 2022. Before then, ham licenses had no FCC application fee.
What changes your price
- What you file. New, renewal and vanity applications cost $35. Upgrades are free.
- Exam session. The volunteer team that runs your exam may charge its own fee.
Ways to pay less
- Get your FCC Registration Number (FRN) before exam day.
- Pay within 10 days of the FCC's payment email, or the application is dismissed.
- If you plan to upgrade soon, there is no second FCC fee for the upgrade.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the government agency that charges it, or from the federal rule that sets it. Where we show a total, we only add up the agency's own fees so you can see the full amount in one place. We do not add our own guesses. Fees can change, so check the agency's website before you pay. We last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much is a ham radio license?
$35 in FCC fees.
Is it free to upgrade my license?
Yes. Upgrades have no FCC fee.
How much is a vanity call sign?
$35.