Renew your license online through the FCC before the expiration date on your card

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) handles amateur radio license renewals. You renew online using the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS), not by mail or phone. The process takes about 15 minutes if you have your current license number and a valid email address. The FCC will send you a renewal notice by email about 60 days before your license expires — that email contains a direct link to start your renewal.

Your license is valid for 10 years from the date the FCC grants it. You can renew it any time during the final year before expiration. If you let it expire, you cannot use your call sign or operate on amateur frequencies until you renew, though the FCC allows a grace period of two years to renew without reapplying from scratch.

Key Takeaways

  • Renew through the FCC's Universal Licensing System at the ULS website, not through a third party or by mail.
  • You can renew any time in the final year before your license expires; the FCC sends an email reminder about 60 days before the date.
  • Renewal costs $35 and takes about 15 minutes if you have your license number and current email address.
  • If your license expires, you have a two-year grace period to renew without reapplying for a new license or retaking the exam.
  • The FCC typically processes renewals within a few days, and you receive a new license document by mail within two to three weeks.

What you need before you start

Gather your current amateur radio license (or a photo of it), your FCC Registration Number (FRN), and your call sign. All three appear on your license card. You also need a valid email address — the FCC uses this to send your renewal confirmation and your new license document.

If you have changed your name, address, or mailing address since your last license was issued, have that information ready. You will enter it during renewal. If you have lost your license card and do not have your FRN, you can look it up on the FCC's ULS database by entering your call sign.

The step-by-step renewal process

Go to the FCC's Universal Licensing System website (uls.fcc.gov). Click "Login" and enter your FRN and password. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it — the FCC will email you a reset link.

Once logged in, look for the "Renew License" option in your dashboard. Select your amateur radio license from the list of licenses associated with your account. Review your call sign, license class, and current address. Update any information that has changed since your last renewal.

The FCC will ask you to certify that the information is correct and that you still meet the basic requirements to hold an amateur radio license (you must be at least 5 years old and not be a representative of a foreign government). Check the box to confirm, then proceed to payment. The renewal fee is $35, payable by credit card or debit card.

After payment, the FCC displays a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will receive an email confirmation within a few minutes. Your license is renewed at that point, even though your new license card has not yet arrived in the mail.

Timeline and what to expect after renewal

The FCC typically processes renewals within one to three business days. You can check the status of your renewal by logging back into ULS and viewing your license record — it will show "Active" once the FCC has processed it. You are legally authorized to operate under your call sign as soon as the status changes, even if your physical license card has not arrived.

Your new license card is mailed to the address on file and usually arrives within two to three weeks. The card shows your call sign, license class, and the new expiration date (10 years from the renewal date). If you do not receive it within a month, contact the FCC's licensing division.

What happens if your license expires

If you miss the renewal important date, your license becomes inactive on the expiration date. You cannot legally operate on amateur frequencies after that date. However, the FCC allows a two-year grace period: you can renew your license at any point within two years of expiration without reapplying or retaking your exam.

To renew during the grace period, follow the same ULS process described above. The fee remains $35. Your new license will be dated from the day you renew, not from the original expiration date, so your next renewal will be 10 years after the grace-period renewal.

If you wait longer than two years after expiration, your license is cancelled and you must reapply and pass the exam again to get a new license.

Changing your call sign or license class during renewal

You cannot change your call sign or upgrade your license class through the renewal process. Renewal only extends your current license for another 10 years under the same terms.

If you want to change your call sign, you must file a separate request through ULS after your renewal is complete. If you want to upgrade your license class (for example, from Technician to General), you must pass the exam for the higher class and file a separate upgrade request. Both of these are handled through ULS but are distinct from renewal.

Troubleshooting common renewal problems

If you cannot log into ULS, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your credentials. If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam folder or use a different email address if you have one on file with the FCC.

If you see an error message saying your license is not may be able to access for renewal, check the expiration date on your license card. You can only renew during the final year before expiration. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must reapply rather than renew.

If your payment fails, try a different card or contact your bank to confirm the card is not being blocked. The FCC's ULS system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. If the problem persists, contact the FCC's licensing division by phone or through their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before the final year?

Yes. The FCC allows renewal any time during the final year before expiration. Renewing early does not shorten your license — your new expiration date is still 10 years from the renewal date, not from the original expiration date.

What if I have moved and my address has changed?

Update your mailing address during the renewal process in ULS. The FCC will mail your new license card to the address you enter. If you forget to update it, you can change your address in ULS after renewal is complete, and the FCC will remail the card.

Do I need to take the exam again to renew?

No. Renewal extends your license without requiring you to retake the exam. You only take the exam if you want to upgrade to a higher license class or if your license has been expired for more than two years and you must reapply.

How do I know if my renewal went through?

Log back into ULS and check your license status. It will show "Active" once the FCC has processed the renewal. You will also receive an email confirmation. Your call sign remains valid for operation as soon as the status changes, even before the physical card arrives.

What if I renew but never receive my license card?

Contact the FCC's licensing division if your card does not arrive within four weeks. Provide your confirmation number from the renewal. The FCC can remail the card or issue a replacement. You are still authorized to operate under your call sign even without the physical card in hand.