How to get licensed: United Kingdom
Official procedure
- Prepare for and book the RSGB Foundation exam, either through a club or by remote invigilation. Official procedure [7]
- After passing, use your RSGB candidate number in Ofcom's online licensing portal, select an available call sign and obtain the licence document before transmitting. Official procedure [8]
- Licensing authority
- Ofcom
- Cost
- Foundation exam £35.50; online Ofcom licence free (postal/email application £20 under age 75). [10] [8]
- Processing time
Official timeframe: Ofcom says online licence document is produced as soon as the application is complete; postal or email application may take up to 10 working days to process and invoice, then issues after payment. This is official service guidance, not a statutory deadline. [8]
Applicant report since 2025: In May 2025, an applicant reported waiting a week for RSGB exam results around bank holidays and later confirmed receiving the licence. Another participant estimated that RSGB confirmation can take up to two weeks; once it arrives, the Ofcom online licence is issued almost immediately. These reports do not establish a guaranteed total time. [11]
- Additional requirements
- A passed exam is required; Foundation, Intermediate and Full are different levels. Full is the level recognized for CEPT visitor privileges. [9]
- National amateur radio organization
- Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB)
CEPT and visiting operators
This is a CEPT member that implements T/R 61-01. A qualifying national licence may allow temporary operation in other participating places under the host rules; it does not replace a resident licence. The licence class must be eligible. [4] [5]