ARRL Technician Practice Exam

What is the normal term for an FCC-issued primary station/operator amateur radio license grant?

1. Five years

2. Ten years

3. Fifteen years

4. Twenty years

The correct answer is: Ten years

The typical duration for an FCC-issued primary station/operator amateur radio license grant is ten years. Amateur radio licenses in the United States are designed with this term to encourage operators to renew and stay current with regulations and practices in the amateur radio community. After this period, license holders must apply for renewal to continue operating legally. The ten-year term also establishes a period whereby the FCC can manage the licensing database, ensuring that information remains updated and accurate. Other terms like five, fifteen, and twenty years are not standard for amateur radio licenses, reflecting different approaches found in other types of licenses or regulatory frameworks. This decade-long term strikes a balance between providing a reasonable duration for licensees while also maintaining effective oversight of the amateur radio spectrum.