How to Reinstate Your Ham Radio License After It Expires

What happens when your ham radio license expires and how to get it back

When your FCC ham radio license expires, you stop being a licensed operator. You cannot legally transmit on any frequency until your license is active again. The good news: the FCC has a straightforward path to reinstatement, and you do not have to retake the exam if you act within a specific window. The process depends on how long ago your license lapsed.

If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew it without taking the exam again — you straightforward file the renewal process with the FCC and pay the renewal fee. If more than two years have passed, you will need to pass the exam for your current license class before the FCC will reinstate you. Either way, you are working with the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS), the same online portal where you originally obtained your license.

Key Takeaways

If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew without retaking the exam by filing FCC Form 605 and paying the renewal fee.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must pass the exam for your current license class before the FCC will reinstate you.
You file all reinstatement requests through the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) at wireless.fcc.gov.
The FCC charges a renewal fee, which varies depending on your license class and changes periodically — check the current fee schedule on the FCC website.
Once you submit your renewal or exam results, the FCC typically processes the request within a few weeks, and you can resume transmitting once your license shows active in the ULS.

Reinstatement within two years of expiration

If your license expired within the last two years, the FCC allows you to renew without retaking the exam. This is called a standard renewal, and it is the fastest path back to the air. You will need your FCC call sign, which you can look up in the ULS database even if your license is expired.

Log into the ULS at wireless.fcc.gov using your FCC username and password. If you do not remember your login, you can reset it on the login page. Once inside, select the renewal option for your license. The system will walk you through confirming your information and will ask you to pay the renewal fee. The fee depends on your license class — Technician, General, or Extra — and the FCC updates these fees periodically, so check the current amount on the FCC website before you begin.

After you submit your renewal process and payment, the FCC processes it and sends you a confirmation. Your license will reactivate once the FCC has processed the renewal and updated the ULS. This typically takes a few weeks. You can check the status of your process by logging back into the ULS and viewing your license record.

Reinstatement after two or more years of expiration

If your license has been expired for more than two years, the FCC requires you to pass the exam for your current license class before it will reinstate you. You cannot straightforward renew; you must demonstrate that you still know the material. This applies even if you held that license for decades before it lapsed.

You will take the exam through a Volunteer Examiner (VE) session, the same route you used to obtain your original license. VE sessions are run by volunteer examiners coordinated through organizations like the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and they are held regularly in most parts of the country. Search for a session near you on the ARRL website or contact a local ham radio club to find upcoming test dates and locations.

When you pass the exam, the VE team will submit your results to the FCC through the ULS. Once the FCC receives and processes your passing score, your license will be reinstated. You do not need to file a separate renewal process; the exam results trigger the reinstatement. You will still owe the renewal fee, which the FCC will bill you or collect when you process the reinstatement through the ULS.

Finding your call sign and checking your license status

Before you begin the reinstatement process, you need to know your call sign. If you remember it, you can skip this step. If you do not, the FCC's ULS database is searchable by name. Go to wireless.fcc.gov, select "Search Licenses," and enter your name and state. The database will show you your call sign, license class, and expiration date — even if your license is no longer active.

Once you have your call sign, you can check the current status of your license in the ULS at any time. This is useful after you submit a renewal or exam results, because you can see when the FCC has processed your request and your license has been reactivated. A license showing as "active" in the ULS means you are cleared to transmit.

Paying the renewal fee and understanding FCC costs

The FCC charges a renewal fee for ham radio licenses, and the amount depends on your license class. Technician licenses cost less than General licenses, which cost less than Extra licenses. The FCC updates these fees periodically — sometimes annually — so the amount you paid when you first obtained your license may not be the amount you pay to renew.

You can find the current renewal fee on the FCC's website under "License Fees." When you file your renewal process through the ULS, the system will show you the exact fee before you pay. Payment is made online through the ULS using a credit card or electronic funds withdrawal. There are no other costs associated with reinstatement unless you need to retake the exam, in which case you may owe a small exam fee to the Volunteer Examiner team (typically $10 to $15, set by the VE organization, not the FCC).

What to do if you cannot remember your ULS login

If you do not have access to your FCC username and password, you can reset them on the ULS login page. Click "Forgot Password" and follow the prompts. The FCC will send you a reset link to the email address associated with your account. If you no longer have access to that email address, you will need to contact the FCC directly through the ULS help system or by phone to verify your identity and regain access.

Having trouble logging in should not delay your reinstatement. The FCC's support team can walk you through account recovery, and once you regain access, the renewal or exam process moves quickly.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

After you submit a renewal process or exam results through the ULS, the FCC typically processes the request within two to four weeks. During this time, your license will still show as expired in the ULS, but you can check the status of your process by logging in and viewing your license record. Some applications process faster than others depending on FCC workload.

Once the FCC has processed your renewal or reinstatement, your license will update to "active" in the ULS, and you can resume transmitting when ready. You do not need to wait for a paper license to arrive in the mail — the ULS record is your proof of licensure. A paper license will be mailed to you separately, but you can operate as soon as the ULS shows your license as active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transmit while my reinstatement is being processed?

No. You can only transmit once your license shows as active in the ULS. Transmitting with an expired license is a violation of FCC rules. Check the ULS regularly after you submit your renewal or exam results, and wait for your license status to change to active before you get back on the air.

Do I have to retake the exam if my license expired more than two years ago?

Yes. The FCC requires you to pass the exam for your current license class if your license has been expired for more than two years. You cannot renew without the exam, even if you held the license for many years before it lapsed.

What if I want to upgrade to a higher license class while reinstating?

You can take the exam for a higher class at the same Volunteer Examiner session where you would take the exam to reinstate your current license. If you pass the higher-class exam, the FCC will reinstate you at that higher level. You still pay only one renewal fee, for the new license class.

How long does the FCC keep my call sign after my license expires?

The FCC does not reassign your call sign when ready after expiration. If you reinstate within a reasonable time, you will get your original call sign back. However, if many years pass, the FCC may reassign your call sign to another operator. Reinstating sooner rather than later protects your call sign.

What if I let my license expire on purpose and now want to get back into ham radio?

The reinstatement process is the same whether your license expired by accident or by choice. If it has been fewer than two years, renew without the exam. If it has been more than two years, pass the exam for your current class. Either way, you are back to being a licensed operator once the FCC processes your request.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.