ARRL Technician Practice Exam

What is necessary before operating a transmitter after passing the exam for an amateur radio license?

1. Making payment for the exam

2. Obtaining a physical copy of the license

3. Acknowledgment of receipt of notice from the FCC

4. Having the license grant appear in the FCC database

The correct answer is: Having the license grant appear in the FCC database

To legally operate a transmitter after successfully passing the exam for an amateur radio license, it is essential for the license grant to appear in the FCC database. This database serves as the official record that confirms your amateur radio license has been issued, ensuring that you are authorized to transmit on the amateur radio frequencies. Operating before your license appears in the database would be considered unauthorized transmission, which could potentially lead to various penalties or issues with regulatory compliance. The process of obtaining your license involves passing the exam, but until the FCC processes this and updates their records to reflect your authorization, you are not permitted to use a transmitter. While acknowledging payment for the exam or obtaining a physical copy of the license might seem important, these actions do not replace the requirement of having your license grant documented in the FCC database. Similarly, simply receiving a notice from the FCC is not sufficient; it is the actual entry in their database that confirms your legitimacy to operate.