Rule and question pool changes
What changed in the FCC amateur rules, the license fee and the exam question pools, newest first. Each entry links the official notice; the eCFR has the current rule text.
The band chart and guides reflect the rules as published in the eCFR on October 8, 2026. This log starts in 2007. It lists each rule since then that amended Part 97 and changed what amateurs may do or must do, except the orbital debris statements required before an amateur satellite launch (47 CFR 97.207(g)). It also lists some rules in other parts that affect amateurs: the license fee and the 3.45 GHz band. Editorial, organizational and conforming amendments, and changes that only rename other services in the Part 97 sharing rules, are left out.
The Federal Register search for rules that amend Part 97 finds the documents left out here. Rules that amend only other parts, such as the license fee (Part 1) and the Table of Frequency Allocations (47 CFR 2.106), do not appear in that search. A search of FCC rules that mention amateur radio finds many of them.
2026
Technician 2026 to 2030 question pool takes effect
Technician exams given from this date draw their questions from this pool.
Sources: Technician 2026 to 2030 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
Technician 2026 to 2030 question pool errata
Question wording modified: T1C01, T5A05, T7A09, T0A10.
Sources: Technician 2026 to 2030 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
60 m band: a new segment beside four channels
Amateurs may transmit in the 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz segment at up to 9.15 W ERP and on four channels centered on 5332, 5348, 5373 and 5405 kHz at up to 100 W ERP. The former channel at 5358.5 kHz, where 100 W ERP was allowed, now lies inside the segment and its 9.15 W ERP limit. Use of 60 m remains limited to General class and higher licensees, and every 60 m emission must stay within 2.8 kHz.
Sources: 91 FR 1405, Implementation of the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2015) (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.301, Authorized frequency bands (eCFR); 47 CFR 97.303, Frequency sharing requirements (eCFR); 47 CFR 97.313, Transmitter power standards (eCFR)
Obsolete Part 97 provisions removed
The FCC removed the sections on FCC modification of a station license grant (97.27) and replacement license documents (97.29), the requirement that a VEC be able to serve at least one VEC region (97.521(b)), and the list of VEC regions (Appendix 2). It also removed an exception to amplifier certification (97.315(b)(2)) that covered amplifiers manufactured before April 28, 1978 that had an FCC marketing waiver, and amplifiers an amateur bought before that date for use at their own station.
Sources: 90 FR 57698, Delete, Delete, Delete; Removal of Obsolete Regulations (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.315 as of February 9, 2026 (eCFR)
Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool errata
E4D05 withdrawn.
Sources: Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool errata
G1A04 and G1C09 withdrawn.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
2025
Technician 2026 to 2030 question pool released
The NCVEC Question Pool Committee released the pool for Technician exams given from July 1, 2026. NCVEC says pools are normally valid for four years, so this pool is expected to stay in use through June 30, 2030.
Sources: Technician 2026 to 2030 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee); Amateur Question Pools (NCVEC)
Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool errata
E6D07 withdrawn (more than one correct answer).
Sources: Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
2024
Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool errata
E2A13 withdrawn.
Sources: Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool errata
G8C01 withdrawn.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool takes effect
Amateur Extra exams given from this date draw their questions from this pool.
Sources: Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool errata
G1E09 withdrawn.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool errata
Figure E9-3 rotated; five questions modified; E9E10 withdrawn; two rule citations updated.
Sources: Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
160 m and HF data: symbol rate limits replaced by a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit
The FCC removed the 300 baud symbol rate limit for RTTY and data on 160 m, 80 m and 30 m and in the data segments of 40 m (7.000 to 7.125 MHz), 20 m, 17 m, 15 m and 12 m, and the 1200 baud limit on 28.0 to 28.3 MHz, and set a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit there instead. Other symbol rate limits did not change: 300 baud on 2200 m and 630 m, 19.6 kilobauds on 6 m and 2 m, and 56 kilobauds on 222 to 225 MHz and 70 cm.
Sources: 88 FR 85126, Amateur Radio Service Rules To Permit Greater Flexibility in Data Communications (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.305, Authorized emission types (eCFR); 47 CFR 97.307, Emission standards (eCFR)
2023
Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool released
The NCVEC Question Pool Committee released the pool for Amateur Extra exams given from July 1, 2024. NCVEC says pools are normally valid for four years, so this pool is expected to stay in use through June 30, 2028.
Sources: Amateur Extra 2024 to 2028 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee); Amateur Question Pools (NCVEC)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool errata
FCC rule change: G1C08 and G1C10 withdrawn; G2E12 modified.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool takes effect
General exams given from this date draw their questions from this pool.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool errata
G1A05, G1E10 and G9D01 modified; G6B09 withdrawn.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
General 2023 to 2027 question pool errata
Nine questions modified; G9C06 and G9D13 withdrawn.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)
2022
General 2023 to 2027 question pool released
The NCVEC Question Pool Committee released the pool for General exams given from July 1, 2023. NCVEC says pools are normally valid for four years, so this pool is expected to stay in use through June 30, 2027.
Sources: General 2023 to 2027 question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee); Amateur Question Pools (NCVEC)
A $35 application fee for amateur licenses
Applications for a new amateur license, a renewal or a vanity call sign cost $35. The FCC adopted the fee in its 2020 fee schedule and began charging it on April 19, 2022. The 2025 inflation update kept it at $35.
Sources: 86 FR 15026, Schedule of Application Fees of the Commission’s Rules (Federal Register); 87 FR 18794, Schedule of Application Fees (new rates on April 19, 2022) (Federal Register); 90 FR 17012, Schedule of Application Fees (2025 update) (Federal Register)
2021
Licensees must give the FCC an email address
Each license grant must show the licensee’s email address as well as a mailing address, and FCC correspondence about licenses moved from paper to electronic delivery.
Sources: 85 FR 85524, Completing the Transition to Electronic Filing, Licenses and Authorizations, and Correspondence (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.23, Mailing and email addresses (eCFR)
9 cm: amateurs leave 3450 to 3500 MHz and may stay in 3300 to 3450 MHz
Amateur operation between 3450 and 3500 MHz had to stop within 90 days of the public notice announcing the close of the 3.45 GHz auction. Amateurs may continue on a secondary basis in 3300 to 3450 MHz while the band’s future uses are finalized, but may be required to stop at any time if they cause harmful interference to flexible-use operations (footnote US103 to the federal table of allocations).
Sources: 86 FR 17920, Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band (Federal Register); 47 CFR 2.106, Table of Frequency Allocations (footnote US103) (eCFR)
RF exposure: new exemption criteria take effect
The general exemption criteria in 1.1307(b), delayed from June 1, 2020 for Paperwork Reduction Act approval, took effect. A station must either qualify for an exemption under them or be evaluated against the exposure limits. Stations that had been exempt from evaluation under the old rules had two years, until May 3, 2023, to complete evaluations and comply.
Sources: 85 FR 18131, Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (Federal Register); 86 FR 20456, Announcement of effective date (Federal Register); 47 CFR 1.1307, Actions that may have a significant environmental effect (eCFR); RF Exposure (ARRL)
2020
9 cm band removed from the Part 97 band tables
The FCC removed the secondary amateur allocation in 3.3 to 3.5 GHz to prepare the spectrum for commercial use. A footnote to the federal table of allocations (then US108) let amateurs already operating in the band continue on a secondary basis until the FCC set a date to stop. In 2021 the FCC set that date for 3450 to 3500 MHz and let amateurs stay in 3300 to 3450 MHz (86 FR 17920).
Sources: 85 FR 64062, Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band (Federal Register); 86 FR 17920, Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band (Federal Register)
RF exposure: the amateur power table is removed
The table in 97.13(c)(1) that exempted amateur stations from routine RF exposure evaluation based on transmitter power alone was replaced by a requirement to comply with the FCC exposure rules in 1.1307(b), 2.1091 and 2.1093. A licensee may evaluate exposure of their own household against the occupational limits if the licensee and household have had appropriate training and information; everyone else is evaluated against the general population limits. The new exemption criteria in 1.1307(b) took effect later, on May 3, 2021.
Sources: 85 FR 18131, Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (Federal Register); 85 FR 33578, Delay of effective date for 1.1307, 2.1091 and 2.1093 (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.13, Restrictions on station location (eCFR)
2017
4 mm band: shared with vehicle radar, 316 W EIRP limit
Vehicle radars may now use the whole 76 to 81 GHz band. The rule ended the suspension of amateur transmissions in 76 to 77 GHz (97.303(s) became reserved) and changed the amateur and amateur-satellite allocations in 77.5 to 78 GHz from primary to secondary, so amateur use of the whole band is secondary. Amateur stations there must not cause interference to radiolocation stations and must accept interference from them, and may not exceed 316 W peak EIRP.
Sources: 82 FR 43865, Permitting Radar Services in the 76-81 GHz Band (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.303 as of October 19, 2017 (eCFR); 47 CFR 97.313, Transmitter power standards (eCFR)
New 2200 m and 630 m bands
General and higher licensees gained 135.7 to 137.8 kHz (2200 m) and 472 to 479 kHz (630 m). Stations must be at fixed locations and may not operate within 1 km, measured horizontally, of a transmission line that carries a power line carrier (PLC) signal in these bands. Before operating, a station must notify the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC); it may begin after 30 days unless UTC replies that it is within 1 km of a PLC system on the same or overlapping frequencies. Antennas may be no higher than 60 m, and radiated power is limited to 1 W EIRP on 2200 m and 5 W EIRP on 630 m (1 W in Alaska within 800 km of Russia).
Sources: 82 FR 27178, WRC-12 Implementation Report and Order (Federal Register); 82 FR 43312, Announcement of effective date for the 2200 m and 630 m rules (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.303, Frequency sharing requirements (eCFR); 47 CFR 97.313, Transmitter power standards (eCFR)
2015
160 m band: 1900 to 2000 kHz becomes a primary allocation
The FCC raised the amateur allocation at 1900 to 2000 kHz from secondary to primary and limited radiolocation in the segment to radio buoys on the open sea (footnote NG92), giving amateurs primary and exclusive use of the segment on the land territory of the United States and its insular areas. The Part 97 sharing requirements that made amateur stations in the segment accept interference from radiolocation and other services were removed.
Sources: 80 FR 38812, WRC-07 Implementation Report and Order and WRC-12 Order (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.303 (2014 edition), Frequency sharing requirements (GovInfo)
2014
Exam credit for expired licenses, remote exams, more emission types
A former licensee whose General, Advanced or Amateur Extra license, or Technician license granted before March 21, 1987, expired beyond the grace period gets credit for Element 3, and a former Amateur Extra also for Element 4; Element 2 must be passed again. Volunteer examiners may administer exams remotely, observing the examinee throughout. Additional phone and data emission types were authorized.
Sources: 79 FR 35290, Amateur Service Rules (Federal Register); 79 FR 52226, Amateur Service Rules (correction) (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.505, Element credit (eCFR); 47 CFR 97.509, Administering VE requirements (eCFR)
2012
60 m channels: one moved, 100 W ERP, CW and data added
The channel centered on 5368 kHz was replaced by one centered on 5358.5 kHz, the power limit rose from 50 W to 100 W PEP ERP, and CW, RTTY and data emissions (150HA1A, 60H0J2B and 2K80J2D) were allowed beside upper sideband voice. Automatically controlled digital stations may not transmit on the 60 m channels.
Sources: 77 FR 5406, Amateur Radio Use of the Allocation at 5 MHz (Federal Register)
2011
Spread spectrum: no automatic power control, 10 W limit
The FCC removed the requirement that a station transmitting a spread spectrum (SS) emission at more than 1 W use automatic power control, and lowered the maximum transmitter output for SS emissions to 10 W PEP.
Sources: 76 FR 17569, Amateur Service Rules (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.313, Transmitter power standards (eCFR)
Vanity and club call sign rules revised
A call sign from a license canceled because the licensee died becomes available to the vanity system two years after the death or two years after the license expired, whichever is sooner, and in-laws joined the relatives who may request it sooner. No new club license is issued to a person who is already a club license trustee, a trustee whose club license shows a vanity call sign is not eligible for another one except on their own primary license, and a change of club trustee must be signed by a club officer.
Sources: 75 FR 78169, Amateur Service Rules (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.19, Application for a vanity call sign (eCFR)
2010
Employees may operate for their employer in emergency drills
The ban on communications on behalf of an employer gained an exception: an amateur may take part for an employer in an emergency preparedness or disaster readiness test or drill, limited to its duration and scope and to operational testing just before it. Drills that are not government-sponsored are limited to one hour per week, except that twice a calendar year they may run up to 72 hours.
Sources: 75 FR 46854, Amateur Radio Service Communications During Government Disaster Drills (Federal Register); 47 CFR 97.113, Prohibited transmissions (eCFR)
2007
No Morse code exam for any license
The FCC removed the Morse code examination for General and Amateur Extra licenses, so no US license requires a Morse test. The same order gave Technician licensees the HF privileges of Novice and Technician Plus licensees.
Sources: 72 FR 3081, Amateur Service Rules (Federal Register)
See also the band chart, the rules on the air guide, and how this site keeps its data current.
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