How to Update your FCC License

One thing that every ham in the USA has in common is the FCC. Every ham in the US is registered with the FCC, just like hams in other countries are registered with their respective governments. This article will serve as a how-to for US hams to keep their licenses updated in accordance with regulations.

FREE FREE FREE
Okay, did that get your attention? It should because everyone needs to know that updates, and at this time, renewals, are free when you help yourself at the FCC website. Although using the FCC's website for updates is completely free, new licenses and renewals now cost $35 and must be paid directly to the FCC.

Many of us have used the services of a VEC to update our license(s). Most VEC's charge a fee for license updates and renewals. It is a clerical fee paid to full-time employees who do nothing but fill out FCC forms for people. That's what you're paying for, a service. This means that you can do it yourself for free.

Step 1 - Understand the FCC's Website
While this sounds easy, many hams have gone right off the deep end from the very first page of the FCC's website. First of all, nothing on the page says "Amateur" or "Ham Radio" anywhere. Where do you go, where do you start?

First, understand that the FCC is HUGE. They are a gigantic bureaucracy that serves multi-billion-dollar interests. They have dozens of databases, programs, and hundreds of licensing categories. Big corporations get licensed to manufacture their devices and cell phone towers. It's so large that from the front page, it seems incomprehensible. However, there is one thing that you must learn right now, even if you don't read the rest of the article. That one thing is:

Universal Licensing System or ULS

Then, when you go to the FCC's front page, at https://fcc.gov, ignore everything you see until you find a link that takes you to ULS. It shows up in a couple of places as a category, and it's the one you must use. Many hams, not knowing about ULS, registered with the FCC CORES system only to be greatly disappointed after none of their efforts resulted in an actual license update. What's worse is that while you're busy updating CORES, you aren't told of the ULS or its existence. Users are led to believe that they're making an update, such as to your FRN, using CORES when this accomplishes nothing for most hams. Stay away from CORES and everything else at the FCC. Only visit their ULS section.

Step 2 - Get a Login to the ULS system

To update your FCC Amateur radio license, you will need your FRN which is essentially your FCC user id. Logins to the FCC database are made using an FRN and a password. Right below where it asks for the password, it offers a Reset Password option. Use that to get a new password.

"What is my FRN"?
QRZ lists everybody's FRN in our call sign database. Just click on the Details tab to see it. On our pages, it is labeled as your FCC Record Number and there's even a button there to take you directly to the ULS record on the FCC website.

Step 3 - Start using ULS

Once you have your ULS login, things get a lot easier. With a login to ULS you can:

- Renew your license
- Update your mailing address
- Request a Vanity call sign
- Request a random new call sign
- Request a printed copy
- Get a PDF download of your certificate that doesn't say REFERENCE COPY across it.

Now, some FAQ's about the process.

What about a name change, such as marriage, etc. ?
You can't do that online. You must fill out additional forms and submit documents.

What about prior felony convictions?
You can't do that online. You must fill out additional forms and submit documents.

Do I need another FRN for my GMRS license?
No. That's the purpose of the FRN. The author has three FCC licenses, 1 amateur, 1 GMRS, and 1 Commercial Radiotelephone. All have the same FRN.

Why can't I log in to ULS with my call sign?
Because you may have other non-amateur-related business with the FCC and so the FRN is your universal identifier within the halls of the FCC.


I hope that many will find this a helpful guide. People have said for years that the FCC website is too complex, whereas the website is pretty simple. Their processes and procedures, nomenclature, and raw bureaucracy are the real problems. Getting people to realize that ULS is their true destination is half the battle won.

73, -fred AA7BQ

 

Application fees have been submitted by the FCC for approval by congress. Until congress does something, no fees will be charged.

As much as we hate fees, it's comforting to know that Congress has the ball.