To obtain an FCC commercial operator license, an applicant must submit an original Proof of Passing Certificate issued by a Commercial Operator License Examination Manager (COLEM), or have the application filed electronically by the COLEM, demonstrating that the applicant has passed the required written and/or telegraphy elements, as illustrated in the table below.
| Written Elements | Telegraphy Elements | ||||||||
| Type of License | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7R | 8 | 9 | 1 | 2 |
| Radiotelegraph Operator License | X |  |
X | |
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X | X
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| General Radiotelephone Operator License | X | X | |
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| Marine Radio Operator Permit | X | |
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| GMDSS Radio Operator’s License | X | |
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X | |
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| Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator’s License | X | |
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X | |
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| GMDSS Radio Maintainer’s License | X | X | |
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X |
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| Ship Radar Endorsement | |
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X | |
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Written Examination Elements
[Note: From time to time, the Commission may change the number of questions to be included in the examination for a particular element and/or the number of answers needed to pass the examination. The Commission will issue a public notice or take other action to inform the public of any such change.]
Element 1: Basic radio law and operating practice with which every maritime radio operator should be familiar. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 18 out of 24 questions.
Element 3: General Radiotelephone. Electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer 75 out of 100 questions, from the following categories:
- operating procedures
- radio wave propagation
- radio practice
- electrical principles
- circuit components
- practical circuits
- signals and emissions
- antennas and feed lines
Element 6: Advanced Radiotelegraph. Technical, legal, and other matters applicable to the operation of all classes of radiotelegraph stations. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 75 out of 100 questions.
Element 7: GMDSS Radio Operating Practices. GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices sufficient to show detailed practical knowledge of the operation of all GMDSS sub-systems and equipment. The exam consists of questions from the following categories: general information, narrow-band direct-printing, INMARSAT, NAVTEX, digital selective calling, and survival craft. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least at least 75 out of 100 questions.
Element 7R: Restricted GMDSS Radio Operating Practices. Fifty questions concerning those GMDSS radio operating procedures and practices that are applicable to ship stations on vessels that sail exclusively in sea area A1, as defined in sections 80.1069 and 80.1081 of the Commission’s Rules. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions.
Element 8: Ship Radar Techniques. Specialized theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing, and maintenance of ship radar equipment in general use for marine navigation purposes. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions.
Element 9: GMDSS Radio Maintenance Practices and Procedures. Requirements set forth in IMO Assembly on Training for Radio Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 5 and IMO Assembly on Radio Maintenance Guidelines for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System related to Sea Areas A3 and A4. The exam consists of questions from the following categories: radio system theory, amplifiers, power sources, troubleshooting, digital theory, and GMDSS equipment and regulations. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions.
Telegraphy Examination Elements
Element 1 – 16 code groups per minute.
Element 2 – 20 words per minute.
Telegraphy exams may consist of both transmitting and receiving tests or just a receiving test. Although the FCC rules provide that passing a telegraphy receiving examination is adequate proof of an examinee’s ability to both send and receive telegraphy, a COLEM may nonetheless include a sending segment in a telegraphy examination. Examinees must copy by ear and, if subject to a sending test, send by hand plain text and code groups in the international Morse code using all the letters of the alphabet, numerals 0-9, period, comma, question mark, slant mark, and prosigns AR, BT, and SK. Examinees must copy and send at the required speeds for one continuous minute without making any errors. Each test lasts approximately five minutes. The failing of any code test automatically terminates the examination. Code speeds are computed using five letters per word or code group. Punctuation symbols and numbers count as two letters each.
NOTES: 1. There is still a Morse Code Waiver for Telegraphy Elements 1 & 2 for Amatuer Extra Class Holders who were issued the license, active or expired, prior to April 15, 2000. Proof of this license must be presented at the time of the exam for the Radiotelegraph License.
2. An applicant with a current Third Class Radiotelegraph License issued prior to the FCC revision on May 20, 2013 will receive Morse Code credit for Telegraphy Elements 1 & 2. Proof of this license must be presented at the time of the exam for the Radiotelegraph Operators License.
Question Pools and Study Guides
Examination question pools, with answers, are available for downloading here. The question pools can also be purchased through the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 488-5300 or (800) 378-3160, facsimile (202) 488-5563 or via e-mail at fcc@bcpiweb.com.
The FCC does not certify schools or review study materials, and the FCC does not recommend any particular school or publication.
Examination Procedures
Use of reference materials in commercial operator license examinations is not permitted. Do not bring any books, papers, notes, study guides, or other unauthorized aids or devices to an examination.