Renew your license by mail or online before the expiration date on your FCC license document

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) sends you a renewal notice 60 days before your amateur radio license expires. You can renew online through the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) website, by mail using FCC Form 605, or through an authorized volunteer examiner coordinator. Online renewal is fastest — it takes about 15 minutes and your new license arrives within days. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks. You do not need to pass a new exam to renew; you only need to submit the renewal form and pay the fee before your current license expires.

Operating on an expired license is illegal, even if you have submitted a renewal form. You can renew a license up to two years after expiration, but you cannot legally use your call sign during that gap. To avoid losing your call sign entirely, renew at least 30 days before your expiration date.

Key Takeaways

  • The FCC sends a renewal notice 60 days before expiration; check your email and postal mail for it, as missing the notice does not extend your important date.
  • Online renewal through the FCC's ULS website is the fastest method and costs $35 for a 10-year license as of 2024, though fees may change.
  • You can renew up to 90 days before expiration or up to two years after expiration, but operating after your license expires is illegal.
  • If you renew by mail, send FCC Form 605 with payment to the address listed on the form; processing takes four to six weeks.
  • Volunteer examiner coordinators can also process renewals for a small fee, usually $15 to $25 on top of the FCC fee.

Renewing online through the FCC's Universal Licensing System

The fastest way to renew is through the FCC's ULS website at uls.fcc.gov. Log in with your FCC username and password — if you do not have an account, create one before your renewal date. Click "Renew License" and select your amateur radio call sign from the list. Review your current information to make sure the address, name, and other details are correct. If anything has changed, update it now.

Answer the required questions about your station and any changes to your operation. Pay the renewal fee using a credit card or debit card. The FCC charges $35 for a 10-year license renewal, though the fee structure can change. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Your renewed license will be posted to your ULS account within a few days, and you can read and print it when ready. The physical license document arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

Renewing by mail with FCC Form 605

If you prefer to renew by mail, read FCC Form 605 from the FCC website or request it by phone at 1-888-CALL-FCC. Fill out the form completely, including your call sign, name, address, and the renewal fee. Write "RENEWAL" clearly at the top of the form so the FCC does not process it as a new process. Include a check or money order for $35 payable to the FCC.

Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form itself — the address changes periodically, so check the current form before mailing. Keep a copy for your records. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date the FCC receives your form. You can track your renewal status by logging into the ULS website and checking your account, or by calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC.

Using a volunteer examiner coordinator to renew

Some volunteer examiner coordinators (VECs) offer renewal services as a convenience. Contact a local VEC — the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) maintains a list of coordinators on its website. The VEC will collect your renewal form and fee, then submit it to the FCC on your behalf. This method costs the standard $35 FCC fee plus a processing fee from the VEC, usually $15 to $25.

The advantage is that you can renew in person at a local radio club meeting or exam session without mailing anything. Processing time is similar to mail renewal — four to six weeks from the date the VEC submits your form to the FCC. Ask the VEC for a receipt and confirmation number so you can track your renewal through the ULS website.

What happens if your license expires before you renew

Operating on an expired license is illegal, even if you have submitted a renewal form. If your license expires and you have not yet received your renewed license, you must stop transmitting. You can renew a license up to two years after expiration, but you cannot legally use your call sign during that gap.

If you miss the two-year window, you must take the amateur radio exam again and explore for a new license. To avoid this, renew at least 30 days before your expiration date. If you are close to expiration and have not received your renewed license, check the status of your renewal in the ULS website or call the FCC. If there is a problem, you can submit a new renewal form when ready.

Updating your information during renewal

Use the renewal process to update your address, email, or station information. If you have moved, changed your name, or modified your station setup, enter the new information on the renewal form. The FCC uses your address to mail your renewed license, so updating it is important. If you do not update your address during renewal and your license is mailed to an old address, you may not receive it.

If you discover an error on your renewed license after it arrives, you can file an amendment using FCC Form 605 marked "AMENDMENT" at the top. Mail it to the same address as a renewal, or submit it through the ULS website if the error is minor.

Renewal fees and payment methods

The FCC renewal fee is $35 for a 10-year license. This fee has remained stable for several years, but the FCC can change it. When you renew online, you can pay by credit card or debit card when ready. When you renew by mail, send a check or money order payable to the FCC. Do not send cash through the mail.

Some volunteer examiner coordinators accept cash, check, or card payment depending on their procedures. Ask the VEC what payment methods they take before you renew through them. If you are renewing multiple licenses (for example, if you hold both a Technician and General class license), you pay one fee per license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have not used it for a while?

Yes. The FCC does not require you to demonstrate that you have been active on the air. You can renew a license you have not used in years, as long as it has not been expired for more than two years. If it has been expired for more than two years, you must take the exam again.

What if I lose my renewal notice from the FCC?

The renewal notice is a reminder, but you do not need it to renew. Log into the ULS website with your FCC username and password, and you can renew directly. Your expiration date is always visible in your ULS account. If you do not have a ULS account, create one at uls.fcc.gov before your license expires.

How long does it take to receive my renewed license after I submit online?

Your renewed license appears in your ULS account within a few days and you can read and print it when ready. The physical license document arrives by mail within two to three weeks. You can use the downloaded version to prove your license is current while you wait for the physical copy.

Can I renew my license if I have changed my call sign?

You renew the call sign you currently hold. If you have requested a vanity call sign and it has been granted, renew under your new call sign. If your vanity call sign request is pending, renew your current call sign. Once your vanity call sign is granted, you can renew under the new call sign at that time.

What if I renew but then move before my new license arrives?

Contact the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC or file an address change through the ULS website as soon as possible. Provide your new address and ask them to forward your license. If your license is mailed to your old address, ask the person living there to forward it to you, or contact the FCC to request a replacement license mailed to your new address.