How to Renew Your FCC PCI Communications Technician License

If you operate a private radio station you need an up-to-date license from the FCC.

If you want to operate an amateur radio station you must get a license from the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. The Federal Communications Commission provides a variety of licenses including the FCC technician license, also known as the FCC personal communications industry, or PCI, technician license. To qualify for this license you must apply to the FCC and pass an examination. If you already have a license, you can renew it by using the FCC's universal licensing system.

Things You'll Need

• Form 605 (optional)
• FCC technician license
• FCC registration number

Instructions

1. Visit the Federal Communications Commission Universal Licensing System website (see Resources). Log in using your FCC registration number, or FRN.

2. Click on the "License at a Glance" page. Click on the renew license button. You will find the renew license button on the right of the screen under the "Work on this License" menu. Notice this link will only appear if you are withing 90 days of your license expiration date of within the two-year grace period.

3. Check the data on your license information page is accurate. Correct any mistakes or update any out-of-date information, such as a change of address. Press the "Continue" button when you have finished introducing your data.

4. Complete the questionnaire in the "Applicants Questions" page and click on the continue button. Review the information on the "Licensee Information" page and correct any mistakes. Review again all the information related to your license in the "Summary" page. If everything is correct, press the "Continue" button. If you notice a mistake, press "Edit" and make the necessary corrections.

5. Read your certification and type your first and last name in the box at the bottom of the page. This is the equivalent to signing the certificate. Click on the "Submit application" button and print a copy of the confirmation screen.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are part of a club or organization, they can give you a notice of your license's expiration date, but they cannot renew the license for you. You must follow the license renewal process yourself.

• Notice you may also file your renewal by downloading a FCC Form 605 (see Resources) and sending a completed copy to the Federal Communications Commission address printed on the form.

References

• Federal Communications Commission: Amateur Radio Service Licensing
• Federal Communications Commission: Amateur Radio Service Licensing Grants and Exams

Resources

• Federal Communications Commission: Form 605