Amateur Radio Licensing Update During US Government Shutdown

The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator, ARRL VEC, wants members to know that we are closely following the impact of the US Government shutdown on licensing for the Amateur Radio Service.

The government shutdown began at 12:01 Eastern time on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, when Congress had not passed an appropriations bill or other plan to keep the government funded for the new fiscal year (begins October 1).

The Federal Communications Commission, which issues Amateur Radio Service licenses, issued a Public Notice on Tuesday, September 30, indicating that it would suspend most operations following a shutdown. “Aside from a few emergency and auction filing systems, all other Commission electronic filing systems will be unavailable to the public until normal agency operations resume,” said the FCC Notice.

ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said the FCC systems appeared to go off-line around 1 PM Eastern time, and are redirecting to the Public Notice. This means the FCC will not be processing any amateur radio license applications during the shutdown, which includes individual, club, and exam session (new and upgrade) applications.

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Temporary Testing Procedure Without an FRN

Given the current situation, ARRL VEC will temporarily allow testing without an FRN (FCC Registration Number), with the understanding that:

1. The applicant would take the exam and receive a CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination).
2. Once CORES resumes issuing new registrations, the applicant would:

• Register for an FRN.
• Contact the coordinating VEC with their FRN.
• The VEC will submit their application to the FCC.

In the ExamTools system candidates without an FRN should:

1. Use '0000000000' (ten zeros), then select "I don't have an FRN".
2. Complete the session registration.
3. CSCEs will be issued to successful candidates.