What are the different ways to obtain an FCC amateur radio license in China?
Important Note: An FCC amateur radio license only allows for operation within the United States, after being certified by a reciprocal agreement with the United States. It is not permitted to use a call sign in the format "B4/AC3RD" or any other similar format when operating amateur radio in China. Doing so would violate both Chinese and US amateur radio laws.
I. Why should I obtain an FCC amateur radio license?
1. To facilitate amateur radio activities in other countries.
2. Enhance amateur radio operating skills.
3. Install XXX (everyone should understand).
II. Preparation for Operation:
Software section
1. The US government's (FCC ULS system) blocking of Chinese IP addresses prevents users from accessing the internet, and without a stable node, you will be unable to pay for and obtain a license.
2. FRN Registration Number (Please keep your account and password safe, as this is equivalent to your identity card with the FCC).
3. The Hamstudy.org account can be used for practice exams (official question bank; if you have a better option, feel free to ignore it).
4. Tencent Meeting and Zoom (Zoom cannot be used in mainland China, nor is registration required; Remote exams require it).
Hardware section:
1. A computer with a camera and installed meeting software (required for remote exams).
2. A smartphone with a camera and installed meeting software (some remote exams require dual cameras).
3. Mobile phone holder (required for dual-camera remote exams).
Other sections:
1. A valid government-issued identification document (a valid ID card issued by the domestic exam group is acceptable, and a passport is preferred for international exam groups due to the presence of an English name. Some international exam groups also accept ID cards, but the verification process may take longer).
2. Face (used to verify that you are who you say you are; please do not wear headphones or smart glasses).
3. Hands (Watches are not necessary, regardless of whether they are smartwatches or mechanical watches; I recommend putting them aside).
4. Brain.
5.50 USD (QSL card payment via UnionPay is not allowed; student exam discounts apply, but must meet the requirements of each exam group)
6. U.S. Domestic Shipping Address (You can choose an address of a friend or family member in the U.S. We recommend using the SF Express transshipment warehouse in Delaware, which can be obtained through the SF Express app at no charge).
III. FRN Registration
Please refer to this article; this article does not provide an analysis of it.
https://qhrspace.com/2026/02/23/%e4%b8%ad%e5%9b%bd%e4%b8%9a%e4%bd%99%e6%97%a0%e7%ba%bf%e7%94%b5%e7%88%b1%e5%a5%bd%e8%80%85%e7%ba%bf%e4%b8%8b%e8%80%83%e5%8f%96fcc%e4%b8%9a%e4%bd%99%e6%97%a0%e7%ba%bf%e7%94%b5%e6%89%a7%e7%85%a7/
IV. Practice exercises
Five. Registration and Examination
Process: In the "Find a Session" section on the right side of Hamstudy, select the exam group and register for the exam.
The highlight of this article is coming up!!! How to choose a test group?
① W5YI China Exam Group (supervised by BA1AJ)
Advantages:
1. Offline exams with ample preparation time, extensive exam experience, and exams held annually.
2. The exam group's VE (volunteer examiners) support communication in Chinese and have no language barriers.
3. Exam fees (as shown on the Hamstudy system, $14) can be paid in RMB. The fee is 120 RMB, and students who meet the requirements are exempt from a 20 RMB fee, resulting in a total of 100 RMB.
4. Can be paired with domestic HAMs who have similar exam goals.
Disadvantages:
1. No remote exams are offered.
2. Only those who have registered for the exam will have access to the corresponding exam plan (which differs from domestic exams). The exam schedule and location are determined after registration, and typically there are around 3-5 exam sessions per year. This format is not ideal for candidates who want to take the exam immediately.
3. Any applicant must pay the license application fee of $35 using a non-bank card.
4. Travel expenses, accommodation costs, and meals are self-funded.
Exam group contact information:
QQ discussion group (including PDF document of question bank): 653454830
Registration contact email:ba1aj@163.com (The information includes name, contact phone number, FRN, US mailing address, and whether the applicant is a current student). (We encourage candidates who have a clear intention to take this exam group's exam to register as soon as possible via email. This will allow VE to quickly arrange the exam time and location, reducing waiting times and making it easier for other candidates to prepare.)
The policies may change at any time, and the specific details will be determined by the exam group.
② Foreign Examination Group (using KJ7QZJ as an example, please refer to detailed policies for other foreign examination groups)
Advantages:
1. This exam group holds exams almost every day, so you don't have to worry about unexpected exam schedules.
2. This examination group offers a "free exam fee + license fee" policy for students aged 25, meaning that eligible candidates do not need to pay any fees for this examination.
Disadvantages:
1. Use Zoom Workplace for exams. During the exam, you will need to use dual camera mode (the computer's webcam needs to be pointed at your face, and the phone's camera needs to be pointed at the computer and desk).
2. Requires a certain level of spoken English proficiency.
3. The exam requires a time zone difference, typically taking place at 6 AM or 11 PM.
The exam process for this exam group:
1. Fifteen minutes before the exam starts, a Zoom meeting link will be sent to the email address provided in the exam registration form.
2. For dual-camera setups on computers, you need to enter a Zoom meeting to prepare.
3. CVE assesses the basic condition of the examinee.
4. Enter the "Discussion Group" meeting (recorded, formal exam meeting).
（1）Before the exam, please check your identification documents. Use a dual-camera device to perform a 360° environment scan in the room (no second monitor should be present; if one is, cover it with a plain colored towel). The environment should not be too cluttered, and restrooms or meeting rooms are recommended for the exam.
（2）Check the computer.
Windows
Windows+P check, dual-desktop check, menu bar check, task manager check (if there are any software that the examiner is not familiar with, an explanation needs to be provided).
MacOS
Apple Intelligence disabled, menu bar check, etc. (I haven't used macOS before; I found information on YouTube).
（3）Share your screen and enter the exam.tools exam system to begin the exam. (You earn points for each level you pass, and you must pass a level before moving on to the next.)
（4）After completing the exam, review your application form and CSCE to ensure accuracy, and electronically sign your exam results (you will then receive congratulations from many foreign VE).
（5）Explain post-exam instructions, how to exit the exam, and how to exit the "discussion group" meeting.
5. Return to the first room and have CVE explain the material before officially ending the exam.
6. Received a CSCE exam passing certificate via email.
7. Log in to the FCC payment portal and wait for your license to be issued. (Free student users do not need to take any action before receiving their licenses; they should simply wait for VEC to send the license to their email address. They will then need to update their email address.)
Exam group contact information:
debi@kj7qzj.com(Exam inquiries and submission of student proof – passport or ID card are acceptable, a separate student ID is not required)
kj7qzj.com (Official website of the exam group)
③ CE Online China Exam Group
The exam is organized by a Chinese examination committee, with no language barriers. Currently, exams have not yet been organized. For further information and consultation, please join the WeChat group: 780439479.
Student user license application fees waived; exam fee of $7.（49RMB）It supports payment in Renminbi (Chinese Yuan).
Six. Complete the exam and issue CSCE examination passing certificates (valid for 365 days).
7. FCC sends payment link; wait for license to be issued (Students exempt from licensing fees can skip this step).
8. The basic process is complete. Congratulations, you have obtained your FCC license.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1：
Q: How long is the validity period of an FCC amateur radio license? What happens if I forget to renew it?
A: An FCC amateur radio license is valid for 10 years. If the license expires without renewal, there is a 2-year grace period during which no retesting is required. However, if the 2-year grace period has expired, you must retake the test and obtain a T-level license, returning to your original license level.
2：
Q: Can I choose my own call sign?
A: Yes, you will need to pay $35.
3：
Q: I'm not very good at English, can I use a translator to help me with the questions?
A: Absolutely not!
4：
Q: Can I directly take the AE level exam?
A: There are two scenarios. If you have a CSCE at the G level and it's still valid, you can use it to register for the AE level exam along with your original license. If this is your first time taking the exam, you must progress through the T-G-AE sequence. In one exam, you can pay once and obtain all the necessary levels, but you cannot directly skip a level.
5：
Q: If I fail a particular level, does that mean I have no chance of passing?
A: No, it's possible to retake a course and still fail, but you will need to pay the exam fee again.
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