How to Renew FCC License

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How to Renew Your FCC License
Amateur radio licenses are issued for 10 years. You can renew within 90 days before expiration — or up to two years after. Renewal is free and done entirely online through the FCC’s Universal Licensing System.
Go to wireless.fcc.gov/uls — select Online Filing and log in with your FCC Registration Number (FRN). If you don’t have an FRN, you’ll need to create one at CORES first.
Renewal steps
  1. 1
    Log in to ULS License Manager. Go to the ULS Home, select Online Filing, and log in with your FRN and password.
  2. 2
    Find the Renew link. From your License At A Glance page, look for the Renew link in the right-hand Work on this License menu. This link only appears when your license is within the renewal window — if you don’t see it, your license is not yet eligible.
  3. 3
    Review your licensee information. On the Select Updates page, check that your information is current. If anything is missing or outdated, check the box next to Licensee Information to update it, then click Continue.
  4. 4
    Answer the applicant questions and click Continue.
  5. 5
    Update your licensee information on the next page, making any necessary corrections to your address or contact details.
  6. 6
    Review the summary. Check everything on the Summary page. Use the Edit button next to any section to make changes, then click Return to Summary. When ready, click Continue to Certify.
  7. 7
    Sign and submit. Read the certification, enter your first and last name in the boxes at the bottom, and click Submit Application.
  8. 8
    Save your confirmation. Print or save a copy of the ULS Confirmation screen for your records. Your updated license should appear in the FCC database within a few days.
Important notes
CORES address ≠ license address. Your CORES contact information is not automatically applied to your license. To update the address on your license, you must make changes directly in ULS — not just in CORES.
Expired license? You have up to two years after expiration to renew without retesting. After two years, you’ll need to pass the exam again. Don’t let it lapse — set a calendar reminder 90 days out.
Not sure when your license expires? Look it up on QRZ or the FCC ULS database — search by call sign.

Go to FCC ULS →
Look up on QRZ →

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