Partial credit for expired licenses is available provided the ex-licensee successfully passes a new Technician exam.

The FCC revised the Amateur Service Part 97 rules (in July 2014) to grant partial written examination element credit to holders of expired General, Advanced, and Extra amateur radio licenses.  A license that has expired and gone beyond the two-year grace period will be canceled in the FCC system.

The FCC does not reinstate or renew the expired license and the licensee will not automatically qualify for a new license.  Previous license holders must pass the current 35-question Technician level exam at a VE exam session to return to amateur radio.  Depending on the previous license class, the FCC will give partial examination element credit for the higher-level exam(s). The FCC will issue a new call sign and a new license when the Technician exam is passed.  Please refer to the Exam Element Credit page for further information and instructions.

The FCC also offers partial credit for pre-1987 Technician licenses.  Please refer to the Exam Element Credit page for further information and instructions.

Expired Novice and Tech Plus licenses and Technician licenses issued after March 21, 1987, do not receive any credit.

Proof of the expired license or the pre-1987 Technician license must be presented at the exam session.