Download Your FCC Ham Radio License
Your FCC amateur radio license is a public record — you can download an official PDF directly from the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) any time. Here's exactly how to do it.
🖥️ Method 1 — FCC ULS License Manager (Recommended)
Open wireless.fcc.gov/uls in your browser. This is the official FCC Universal Licensing System — no third-party sites needed.
Under the Search menu on the left, click License Search. You don't need to log in to search for your license.
In the Callsign field, type your callsign (e.g. KE6MGB) and click Search. Your license record will appear in the results.
Click the callsign in the results to open your license detail page. You'll see your name, license class, grant date, and expiration date.
At the top of the license detail page, click the Print License button. This opens an official print-ready PDF of your license. Save it, print it, and keep a copy on your phone.
Direct License Lookup
Skip the navigation — go straight to the FCC license search and type your callsign. Works on desktop and mobile.
📱 Method 2 — Via QRZ.com
Visit qrz.com and type your callsign in the search box.
Your QRZ page shows your FCC license data pulled from ULS in real time. At the bottom of your license info, there's a link directly to your FCC license record.
Click through to the FCC record and use Print License as in Method 1. QRZ itself does not issue official license PDFs — always print from the FCC directly.
💡 Tips
The FCC explicitly allows showing your license on a mobile device when operating. A screenshot of your license PDF on your phone is acceptable. Just make sure it's legible and shows your full name, callsign, class, and expiration.
Print your license at roughly 50% scale and laminate it for a wallet card. Many hams keep the full sheet in their shack logbook and the wallet card on them when operating portable or mobile.
Ham licenses are valid for 10 years. You can renew starting 90 days before expiration — also through the FCC ULS. If your license expires, you have a 2-year grace period to renew without retesting.
After passing your exam, your license typically appears in the FCC ULS within 1–2 business days. You cannot legally transmit until your callsign appears in the ULS database — not just when you receive your CSCE.
After upgrading (e.g. Technician → General), your new privileges are active as soon as the upgrade appears in ULS. Download a new copy of your license — it will show your updated class.
The FCC stopped mailing paper licenses in 2015. The ULS PDF is your official license. There is no other document — if someone asks to see your license, the ULS printout is what you show.
License data is maintained by the FCC. Always verify your license status directly at wireless.fcc.gov/uls. KE6MGB has no affiliation with the FCC.