How much does a ham radio license cost?
A ham radio license costs $35 to about $50 in 2026: the FCC's $35 fee plus an exam session fee. Here's every cost, from studying to renewal and your first radio.
By Jared, KG5OSL, licensed ham and creator of My HAM Hub · November 3, 2026
One of the best things about ham radio is how little it costs to get started. There's no monthly bill and no subscription to the airwaves. Here's every cost, from studying to your first radio, with 2026 prices.
The short answer
$35 to about $50 for the license itself: the FCC's $35 application fee, plus an exam session fee that's often around $10 to $15 (and sometimes free).
Add about $25 to $60 for a basic handheld radio, and you can be on the air for under $100.
What the license itself costs
| Cost | How much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FRN (FCC Registration Number) | Free | Register online in FCC CORES before your exam. |
| Study material | Free to about $30 | The question pool is public. Free and paid study sites, apps and books all work. |
| Exam session fee | Often $10 to $15, sometimes free | Set by the volunteer examiner team, not the FCC. Paid at or before the exam. |
| FCC application fee | $35 | Paid online to the FCC after you pass, within 10 days of the FCC's email. |
That's it. There's no charge for your call sign, no paper license to buy, and nothing to pay every year.
Studying is the one place your choice changes the cost. You can study free from the public question pool, or use a course that teaches the material. The My HAM Hub Technician course has free lessons to start; the full course is $17.95 for 3 months.
Study for the Technician exam, freeShort lessons with the real exam questions, and why every answer is right. Try it freeCosts after you're licensed
- Renewal: $35 every 10 years. You can renew online starting 90 days before your license expires.
- Upgrading to General or Extra: no FCC fee. You only pay the exam session fee, if there is one.
- Changing your address or email with the FCC: free.
- A vanity call sign (choosing your own call, like a short one or your initials): $35, optional.
- Club membership: optional. Many local clubs charge modest yearly dues, and they're the best place to find help, exam sessions and used gear.
What a first radio costs
You don't need expensive gear to start. Most new hams begin with a dual-band (2 meter and 70 cm) handheld and talk through local repeaters, which can reach 20 to 50 miles or more.
| Gear | Rough price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic dual-band handheld | $25 to $60 | Local repeaters and nets. Plenty to start. |
| Better handheld antenna | $15 to $40 | The cheapest big improvement over the antenna in the box. |
| Programming cable | $15 to $25 | Load repeaters into your radio with free CHIRP software instead of the keypad. |
| Mobile (car) radio and antenna | $100 to $300 | More power and a roof antenna for much better range on the road. |
| HF radio (for General and Extra) | $600 and up | Long-distance contacts across the country and the world. |
Prices are rough 2026 ranges for new gear. Not sure which to get? See four good first radios. Once you have a radio, import your area's repeaters on the Repeaters tab and export a CHIRP file to program them all at once.
Ways to spend less
- Study free first. Start with free lessons and practice questions, and only pay for a course if it helps.
- Look for free exam sessions. Some teams don't charge, and some waive the fee for kids, students or military. HamStudy shows each session's fee.
- Pass two exams in one visit. If you pass Technician, many teams let you try General at the same session. Ask the team whether a second exam costs extra.
- Buy used. Hamfests, club swap meets and club members are great sources of good used radios.
- Start with a handheld. Get on the air first, then decide what you want next.
- Use free software. CHIRP programs most radios for free, and My HAM Hub's call sign lookup, QSO log, nets calendar and repeater list are free too.
Ready to see what's involved? Read how to get your ham radio license in 2026, step by step.
Questions people ask
Do I pay the $35 FCC fee at the exam?
No. The examiners only collect their session fee, if they have one. The FCC emails you a payment link after your exam, and you pay the $35 online within 10 days.
Is there a monthly or yearly fee to be a ham?
No. There's no monthly or yearly license fee. Your license lasts 10 years, and renewing costs $35. Local repeaters are free to use, though many are run by clubs that welcome donations or membership dues.
Does it cost more to upgrade to General or Extra?
The FCC doesn't charge for upgrades. You only pay the exam session fee, if the team charges one, and many teams let you take the next exam at the same session.
Can kids or students get licensed for free?
The $35 FCC fee applies to everyone. Some exam teams waive their session fee for kids, students or military members, and some never charge at all. Check the session listing.
What if I fail the exam?
You can try again, usually at the same session or a later one. You pay the session fee again if the team charges one, but there's no FCC fee until you pass.