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AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/ham-license-classes

For which amateur license classes does the FCC currently issue new licenses?

Technician, General and Amateur Extra.

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  1. Novice, Technician, General, Amateur Extra
  2. Technician, Technician Plus, General, Amateur Extra
  3. Technician, General, Amateur Extra ✔

Why: New hams can only earn Technician, General or Amateur Extra today. Older classes like Novice and Advanced can be renewed by existing holders, but no new ones are issued.

Huh, didn't know that: The Technician exam has 35 questions, and you need 26 right to pass.

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Why did the ham study so hard? He wanted to be in a class of his own.
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References

Answer: Technician, General, Amateur Extra. New hams can only earn Technician, General or Amateur Extra today. Older classes like Novice and Advanced can be renewed by existing holders, but no new ones are issued.

  1. 47 CFR 97.17 Application for new license grant www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97/subpart-A/section-97.17
    No new license grant will be issued for a Novice or Advanced Class operator/primary station.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. 47 CFR 97.503 Element standards www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97/subpart-F/section-97.503
    Element 2: 35 questions concerning the privileges of a Technician Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 26 questions answered correctly.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Ham RadioWhich agency makes and enforces the rules for amateur radio in the United States?Ham RadioWhere can a Technician use voice (phone) on the 10-meter band?Ham RadioOn which HF band does a Technician have voice (phone) privileges?

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