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Introduction
Our definition of fully remote testing is a method of exam delivery where you have 1 applicant with two video feeds in the same room and at least 3 accredited Volunteer Examiners monitoring remotely by video conference. This page identifies applicant eligibility, our exam schedule, technical requirements and much more! Should you not follow the requirements laid out below, or refuse to follow everything on this page, an exam may not be administered. We will not offer a refund for those who refuse to follow our instructions. To ensure you have the best possible experience, read this entire page carefully!
1.) Who is eligible?
The Aurora Amateur Radio Group will gladly administer a remote examination to anyone that meets our eligibility requirements:
— You must be a legally established resident of the United States;
— You must be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident;
— You must have a valid, verifiable mailing address;
You must be physically present in any of the following locations to be tested:
— Anywhere in the 50 United States;
— Any U.S. Territory or Possession by the United States;
— OCONUS U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their dependents;
— U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy abroad;
++ Officers with a U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy must provide credentials and proof they are employed at that location.
— Stations within the U.S. Antarctic Program
2.) Our Remote Exam Schedule
We offer remote exams as shown below:
— Mondays at 9:00pm Eastern Time
— Thursdays at 7:00pm Eastern Time
— Saturdays at 1:00pm Eastern Time (3rd Saturday of the month)
We close each session from receiving additional applicants 48 hours prior to our regularly scheduled start times, as listed above.
3.) Technical Requirements for a Remote Examination
To be eligible for a remote examination, applicants must meet the following technical and setup requirements:
— You will need a reliable internet connection, suitable to adequately run two video feeds and one audio feed. You are not permitted to wear a headset while testing. You MUST be capable of operating without the assistance of earbuds or a headset.
— You will need one desktop or laptop computer with the Brave, Chromium, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari web browser installed. Installation links for each are below:
++ Download Brave
++ Download Chromium
++ Download Google Chrome
++ Download Microsoft Edge
++ Download Mozilla Firefox
++ Download Safari for OS X
++ NOTE: You will also want to make sure any browser add-ons or extensions are completely disabled prior to exam day to ensure no problems occur. This also includes disabling your VPN if you use one to browse the web.
— You will need a web camera that allows us to view the Examinee’s head, face, and shoulders clearly, to be seen at all times during the examination. This same computer must have a microphone that allows the VE team to hear all sounds within the testing environment. We do ***NOT*** permit the use of a tablet, iPad or smartphone for taking the examination or as your primary camera feed. Below is an example of the view we need from the applicant’s primary camera:
— You will need another computer with a web camera, a smart phone or tablet with a web camera to serve as your second video source. This secondary camera must be positioned in such a way to allow the VE team to see the examinee’s hands, workspace, work on scratch paper, and/or calculator, and the computer monitor that is being used to display the examination. You may use a tablet, iPad, smartphone or a laptop (webcam built in) as your second video feed. Examinees are prohibited from using two cameras connected to the same desktop or laptop computer. The two camera feeds MUST be on separate devices. Below are some examples of the view we need from the applicant’s secondary camera:
— When you join us on exam day, you’ll be asked to setup your second camera to meet our monitoring requirements. Here are two examples of setting up your second camera to meet the additional viewing requirement:
— You will need a current installation of Zoom. You do not need to have an account with Zoom for the exam. We do not use any other video conferencing applications. ZOOM MUST BE INSTALLED OR UPDATED ON YOUR PLANNED DEVICES PRIOR TO THE EXAM SESSION! Click HERE to download Zoom. The download page will open in a new tab on your browser.
++ Attention! We have applicants who are not prepared to setup their second device when they join us for an exam session. Should there be any doubt in your ability to setup the second camera to meet our monitoring requirements, we strongly encourage you to find someone who can get on Zoom and practice the setup process. It is ***YOUR*** responsibility for being prepared in advance. Doing so ensures everyone will get to test on time and no delays will occur for other applicants testing behind you. We strongly suggest thoroughly testing Zoom with both devices at the same time well in advance of the test so that you have time to resolve any issues that come up. This is also a great way to double check the setup of your second camera! You may practice using Zoom on both your devices here: https://zoom.us/test
— You will need a quiet room to complete the exam, free from distractions or interruptions. If you are testing in an open environment such as a living room or loft, those are acceptable as long as other people are not present during your examination. The Examinee MUST be the only person in the room during the exam. No one is permitted to enter the room while the examination is in progress.
4.) Exam Environment Requirements
To ensure we maintain the highest standard of honesty and integrity possible, we require all examinees to show our Volunteer Examiner team the inside of their room on exam day. This is done after being briefed by our Examinee Setup & Support and upon arrival into your exam room. You are required to make sure any sensitive documents, amateur radio or electronics related information are completely out of sight and secured prior to exam day. We will ask you to show the following as part of setting up the environment on exam day:
— You will be asked to SLOWLY pan your second camera along all of the walls in your room, thus giving the Volunteer Examiner team a complete 360° view.
— You will then be asked to show the ceiling above your head to satisfy a clean space up above.
— You will be asked to show the entire top of your desk or table where the primary device is located.
— Lastly, you will be asked to show the floor where your feet are going to be while you test.
The objective is to make sure you have absolutely nothing on your walls that can help you with any exams! Should there be any material on display that is deemed questionable by the Volunteer Examiner team, you will be asked to take it down and secure it for the duration of your exam. If you are not willing to follow our instructions by securing sensitive documents and removing all materials that are deemed helpful on your exam PRIOR to testing with us, we will be unable to administer your exam.
5.) Acceptable Proof of Positive Identity
The Aurora Amateur Radio Group will administer examinations to anyone with a mailing address that can be validated with the United States Postal Service. The applicant must also present a valid government issued photo identification from any U.S. state or federal authority. We accept any of the following types of valid, government issued photo identification for applicants over the age of 18:
— Driver Licenses or other State Photo Identification Cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) in any U.S. state or territory
— U.S. passport book
— U.S. passport card
— DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
— U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including dependent IDs
— U.S. Permanent resident cards
— Border crossing cards, issued by a U.S. government authority
— DHS-designated enhanced driver’s licenses
— Transportation worker identification credentials issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
— U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials
If the applicant’s legal name is different than what is printed on their primary document, they must present additional document(s) that provide proof of name change. This can be in the form of a marriage license or other court issued documentation positively attesting to the name change.
For those who are physically testing outside the United States: Applicants must present proof of employment if working for a U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy abroad. If you are active duty U.S. Armed Forces or a dependent stationed abroad, we will need a copy of your orders proving you are stationed on a U.S. military base OCONUS. If you’re stationed in Antarctica, we will need a scanned copy of your credential and a letter from someone in a position of authority attesting that you’re indeed stationed on that continent.
6.) Applicants Under 18 (Minors)
Amateur radio applicants under the age of 18 are not required to show photo identification. Should an applicant under the age of 18 have valid, government issued photo identification, it must fall into one of the categories as shown above for examinees over the age of 18. However, they must present at least TWO of the following if a child doesn’t have photo ID to test with us:
— Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, Naturalization, or Birth Abroad
— An original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate issued by Vital Statistics
++ Certified Informational Copies are NOT valid for identity purposes!
— Employee ID
— Health Insurance Card
— Library Card with the applicant’s name printed
— School ID
— Social Security Card
— A notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian attesting to the positive identity of the applicant (A clear photocopy of the parent or legal guardian’s government issued photo identification must be attached to the letter otherwise this will not be an acceptable form of identifying an applicant under the age of 18.)
On exam day, the parent or legal guardian responsible for completing the Minor Consent Form must be present at the start of the session to attest to the positive identity of the child and present their own photo ID.
7.) Examination Fee
Through a working agreement with the ARRL VEC, the cost for a remote examination session being sponsored through the Aurora Amateur Radio Group is currently $15.
8.) Important Applicant Correspondence with the Aurora Amateur Radio Group
We use one email address for all communications with applicants regarding our exam service. To ensure you receive any and all communication from us, please whitelist the following email address PRIOR to completing any application:
testing(at)aarg.club
NOTE: You will need to replace the (at) with a “@” in the addresses above. Your willingness to help us whitelist this email address ensures you are receiving all communication relating to your remote examination.
9.) FCC requirements for your license to be granted
A Federal Registration Number, or FRN from the FCC is required on exam day. We can not accept a Social Security Number for new or existing licenses. If you do not have a FRN, you will need to complete a two step process. First, you will need to create an account in the FCC’s CORES system. To do this, you will need to click HERE to create your account. It will open in a new tab. Once you have created your account and confirmed it, you will be able to login and register for a Federal Registration Number. If, you don’t have the link to login to CORES, you may click HERE and a separate tab will open.
Once you have your FRN, do make sure you write it down, as it’s required on exam day and your amateur radio license application. You will also be required to provide a valid email address. The FCC no longer issues paper copies of licenses and will deny processing any application without a valid email address. Also, your email address will be required for the FCC to send you a link to pay the $35 licensing fee. Per FCC Public Notice DA 22-307 released on March 23rd, 2022 the $35 licensing fee will apply to new licenses, systematic callsign changes, license renewals and vanity callsign applications. Applicants will not pay a $35 fee if they are doing a license upgrade or an Administrative Update such as an address change, update to your telephone number or email address as well as changing the name on your amateur radio license.
The FCC now requires all applicants to answer if they have been convicted of a felony crime in any U.S. state or federal court. If you have been convicted of a felony crime, there will be some additional steps required of you after passing your exam. More information on that can be found by clicking HERE (page will open in a new tab).
10.) Our Complete Applicant Process . . . read ***CAREFULLY***
To ensure we keep this simple, here is the entire process in a nut shell from start to finish . . .
— Step 1.) You will click the link below to begin your registration.
— Step 2.) When the page loads, select the date you want to take your exam from our “Exam Schedule” page. Follow all subsequent instructions.
— Step 3.) Complete the amateur radio license application that follows. Make sure you have all of the requested information to complete the application.
— Step 4.) You will submit your amateur radio license application and see that it has been initially accepted by our exam platform.
— Step 5.) Once your amateur radio license application has been submitted, you will receive an email with instructions to pay your exam fee. The exam fee of $15.00 and is payable by any major credit or debit card. Your exam fee is non-refundable. You will have 72 hours to pay the exam fee or else your application will be deleted from the system. If you register for an exam session and haven’t paid 48 hours before the session begins you will be deleted from the system.
— Step 6.) When your exam time has come, you will receive an email with a subject that reads “It’s time for your exam!” That is where you will see the link to join us on Zoom. Again, please check your junk or spam folder, as it may not appear in your inbox. This email WILL HAVE YOUR ZOOM LINK! Should you not make it to your confirmed exam session, your fee will not be refunded! However, if you are not able to make it and notify us within 24 hours, we will reschedule you at no cost. We will need a date you’d like to test. If you are unable to provide us a date, your application will be withdrawn and you’ll have to reapply again. Another exam fee will be collected.
— Step 7.) Upon connecting to our Zoom conference, we will guide you through bringing in your second device. It will not be connected right away.
— Step 8.) After you have connected both devices., you must have everything closed on your computer except Zoom. Nothing else should be open at this point. Please pay attention to the information being presented at that time.
— Step 9.) Upon being presented with the necessary information pertinent to your examination, you will go into your exam breakout room.
— Step 10.) Once in your exam breakout room, you will be given instructions on setting up your cameras, showing ID, scratch paper and calculator (as necessary). The Lead VE will cover our “rules of the road” and then your exam will begin. At this point, you will get the login link for your exam.
— Step 11.) After finishing your exam, it will be graded. If you fail and are close to passing, it will be up to the Lead VE to authorize a retest (with payment of an additional $15 test fee). If a retest is not granted, you will have to register and test again at another time. If you passed, your results will be certified and your CSCE will be made available shortly thereafter.
— Step 12.) After you have collected your CSCE, we may be available to answer any questions you have regarding amateur radio or potential study for the next class of license, if desired. We will also give you pointers on how to reach us after you depart the exam session.
— Step 13.) Once you have departed and after the exam session is closed, we will send you a post-session email with some links of information. Please check your junk or spam folder, as it may not appear in your inbox. Your application will be forwarded to the VEC for processing.
11.) Our Rescheduling Policy
The Aurora Amateur Radio Group has a revised policy for those applicants needing to reschedule for any reason. If you must reschedule your examination, we will ask for a donation in the amount of $9.00 to support our subsidized exam program. Our subsidized exam program allows applicants who fall under one of the categories below to test with us at reduced cost. Eligible recipients of our subsidized exam program are as follows:
— Applicants under the age of 18
— Active duty U.S. Armed Forces personnel
— U.S. Armed Forces veterans
— First Responders, and
— Sworn law enforcement officers
This donation is voluntary, and should you be willing to help us support these examinees, instructions will be given during the rescheduling process.
Please note if you have read this far and find yourself unable to fully comply with our instructions, please consider testing in-person. While we are willing to assist with the setup process, we also have a duty to provide a timely testing environment for our other examinees. Our Volunteer Examiner team works tirelessly to offer the best service possible and spend a lot of time doing what we enjoy by giving back. Please follow all instructions and be fully prepared so you are not wasting our time or yours.
Are you unsure if you’re actually ready to test and want to take a practice exam? If so, please click HERE to launch a practice exam generator.
Still have questions? Take a look at our frequently asked questions page HERE.
Be sure to CAREFULLY read the instructions when completing your registration through our exam platform after clicking the link below!