Testing ONLY (by appointment)
NOT A 1-DAY ALL DAY SESSION
Testing 2PM,
same dates, same address as Amateur (ham) Radio testing.
| DATES / LOCATIONS |
Register at least two weeks in advance.
We need to prepare testing materials. Before registering, be certain which test elements you need to take.
| DETAILS |
| QUICK SUMMARY |
| DOWNLOAD COMMERCIAL QUESTION POOLS |
| COMMERCIAL LICENSE FEES |
| TO AMATEUR REGISTRATION |
Old Poster for Ship-to-Shore CW station at Pt. Reyes, CA. Now maintained by
| MARITIME RADIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY |
We administer nine commercial radio licenses, certificates or permits and one endorsement. Each requiries one or more test elements as detailed below.
RADIOTELEPHONE LICENSES
General Radiotelephone Operator License [GROL] (PG)
The GROL is required to adjust, maintain or internally repair transmitters in the aviation, maritime and international fixed public radio services. It is also required by most AM/FM/TV broadcast licensees. In addition to all of the operating authority of the MROP, it also permits operation of maritime land or ship radio stations operating with more than 1,500 watts PEP and voluntarily equipped ship or aeronautical stations with more than 1,000 watts PEP.
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examinations (Element 1, 3).
The GROL replaced the old First and Second Class Radiotelephone license on June 15, 1984.
The license is valid for the lifetime of the holder.
Marine Radio Operator Permit [ MROP] (MP)
The MROP is required to operate radiotelephone stations aboard certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes, aboard large ships and vessels that carry passengers for hire, aboard vessels that operate (sideband) on coast radiotelephone stations.
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass a written examination (Element 1)
The license is valid for the lifetime of the holder..
GLOBAL MARINE DISTRESS LICENSES
GMDSS Operator's License (DO)
Qualifies the holder to operate, and make some basic equipment adjustments to, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio installations. It also confers the operating authority of the MP.
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examinations (Element 1, 7)
The license is valid for the lifetime of the holder.
GMDSS Maintainer's License (DM)
Qualifies personnel as GMDSS radio maintainers to perform at sea repair and maintenance of GMDSS equipment. It also confers the operating authority of the PG and MP.
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examinations (Element 1, 3, 9)
The license is valid for the lifetime of the holder.
GMDSS Operator/Maintainer License (DB)
When an applicant qualifies for both a DO and a DM, the applicant is issued a GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License (DB).
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examinations (Element 1, 3, 7, 9)
The license is valid for the lifetime of the holder.
Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator License (RG)
The RG qualifies the holder to operate, and make some basic equipment adjustments to, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio installations, but only on voyages that remain within twenty (20) nautical miles of shore. It also confers the operating authority of the MP. The RG qualifies the holder to operate, and make some basic equipment adjustments to, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio installations, but only on voyages that remain within twenty (20) nautical miles of shore. It also confers the operating authority of the MP.
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examinations (Element 1, 7R)
The license is valid for the lifetime of the holder.
RADIOTELEGRAPH CERTIFICATES
Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (T3)
This license authorizes operation at certain coast radiotelegraph stations. It also confers the operating authority of both the Restricted Operator Permit (RP) and the Marine Operator Permit (MROP.)
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examinations (Element 1 and 5) and two Morse code receiving examinations, one at 16 words per minute (WPM) consisting of random code groups (CG), and a 20 WPM plain language (PL) text. Amateur Extra Class operators prior to April 200 receive examination credit for the code requirements of this license.
The license is valid for five years.
Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (T2)
This license authorizes the holder to operate, repair and maintain ship and coast radiotelegraph stations in the maritime services. It also confers all of the operating authority of the Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate and the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL).
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass written examination (Element 1. 5 and 6) and two Morse code receiving examinations, one at 16 words per minute (WPM) consisting of random code groups (CG), and a 20 WPM plain language text (PL) . Amateur Extra Class operators prior to April 2000 receive examination credit for the code requirements of this license.
The license is valid for five years.
First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (T1)
This license is required only for those who serve as the Chief Radio Operator on a U.S. passenger ship. It conveys both the operating authority of the Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate and the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL.) Candidates for this license must be 21 years old, have at least a year's commercial telegraphy experience and be proficient in English.
An applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, able to speak in English and eligible for employment in the United States.
An applicant must pass two Morse Code examinations, code groups at 20 WPM and plain language at 25 WPM. The written exam requirements are the same as for the Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. Proof of experience must be submitted to the FCC along with the application.
The license is valid for five years.
No applicant may hold more than one radiotelegraph operator license, nor may a licensed radiotelegraph operator hold anMROP. The MROP or lower-class telegraph operator license is cancelled when an applicant upgrades.
ENDORSEMENTS
Ship Radar Endorsement
This endorsement may be placed only on General Radiotelephone Operator Licenses (GROL), GMDSS Radio Maintainer Licenses (GMDSS/M) or on First or Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificates. It requires passing an examination (Element 8) covering ship radar techniques. Only persons whose commercial radio operator license bears this endorsement may repair, maintain or internally adjust ship radar equipment. Other than the examination fee, there are no additional charges or fees when an endorsement is added to a Commercial Radio Operator license.
An applicant must pass written examination (Element 8)
Elements Required for Commercial Licenses
|
|
Elements |
|||||||
License Type |
|
1 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
7r |
8 |
9 |
General Radiotelephone Operator License |
GP |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
||
Marine Radio Operator Permit |
MP |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GMDSS Radio Operator's License |
DO |
X |
|
|
X |
|
|
||
GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License |
DM |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License |
RG |
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate ** |
T1 |
|
|
|
|
||||
Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate |
T2 |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|||
Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate |
T3 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ship Radar Endorsement |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
||
** 1 yr service aboard ship or at a coastal station and T2 License
Element Details
Element 1: Basic radio law and operating practice with which every maritime radio operator should be familiar. 24 questions concerning provisions of laws, treaties, regulations, and operating procedures and practices generally followed or required in communicating by means of radiotelephone stations.
Element 3: General radiotelephone. 76 questions concerning electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers at stations licensed by the FCC in the aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services
Element 5: Radiotelegraph operating practice. 50 questions concerning radio operating procedures and practices generally followed or required in communicating by means of radiotelegraph stations primarily other than in the maritime mobile services of public correspondence.
Element 6: Advanced radiotelegraph. 100 questions concerning technical, legal and other matters applicable to the operation of all classes of radiotelegraph stations, including operating procedures and practices in the maritime mobile services of public correspondence, and associated matters such as radio navigational aids, message traffic routing and accounting, etc.
Element 7: GMDSS radio operating practices. 76 questions concerning GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices sufficient to show detailed practical knowledge of the operation of all GMDSS sub-systems and equipment. The exam consists of questions from the following categories: general information, narrow-band direct-printing, INMARSAT, NAVTEX, digital selective calling, and survival craft.
Element 7R: Restricted GMDSS Radio Operating Practices. 50 questions concerning those GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices that are applicable to ship stations on vessels that sail exclusively in sea area A1, as defined in sections 80.1069 and 80.1081 of the Commission's Rules.
Element 8: Ship radar techniques. 50 questions concerning specialized theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing and maintenance of ship radar equipment in general use for marine navigational purposes.
Element 9: GMDSS radio maintenance practices and procedures. 50 questions concerning the requirements set forth in IMO Assembly on Training for Radio Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 5 and IMO Assembly on Radio Maintenance Guidelines for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System related to Sea Areas A3 and A4.
Telegraphy Element 1: 16 words per minute, code groups
Telegraphy Element 2: 20 words per minute, plain language
Telegraphy Element 3: 20 words per minute, code groups
Telegraphy Element 4: 25 words per minute, plain language
Examinees must copy by ear plain text and code groups in the International Morse Code using all the letters of the alphabet, numerals 0-9, period, comma, question mark, slant mark, and prosigns AR, BT, and SK. Examinees must copy for one continuous minute without making any errors. Each test lasts approximately five minutes. The failing of any code test automatically terminates the examination. Code speeds are computed using five letters per word or code group. Punctuation symbols and numbers count as two letters each.