Licensing During a Government Shutdown
The most recent shutdown ended in November 2025, and the FCC has resumed normal operations. This page remains available because its guidance applies to any future shutdown. Current processing information is provided under After Passing the Exam.
Effect of a Shutdown on Licensing
During a government shutdown, the FCC does not process license applications. When the FCC reopens, its systems are heavily backlogged. Applications are processed in order of examination date, so it may take several weeks before an application appears in the FCC database.
The FCC licensing system is a legacy platform with known stability issues, maintained by a small number of qualified personnel. Outages and slow processing are likely after a shutdown, and recovery from a system failure can take several days.
Required Actions
- Obtain a valid FRN. A candidate who tested without an FRN, or with ten zeroes in place of one, must obtain an FRN before the examination can be submitted to the FCC. Each person receives only one FRN; an FRN issued for any previous FCC license remains that person’s FRN. Obtain the FRN from FCC CORES as soon as possible (instructions below), then email it to vetesting@yahoo.com with the subject line formatted exactly as follows, using your own number and name: FRN - 0031234567 - First Name Last Name. PARC then updates the paperwork and submits the application, and processing time is counted from that date.
- Pay the $35 license fee as soon as the FCC system allows, to retain the application’s place in the queue. The FCC emails payment instructions to the address on the Form 605 when processing begins; check spam and junk folders regularly. An application is dismissed if the email is missed or the fee is paid late, and the process must then be repeated.
- Felony documentation. A candidate with a felony conviction must submit the required documentation as soon as FCC systems are available. This process is strictly between the candidate and the FCC; PARC cannot assist or intervene.
- Contact. Do not contact the FCC, the ARRL or PARC about the application while FCC systems recover. The FCC call center is operated by a contractor and may not have accurate information.
How to Obtain an FRN
- Go to the FCC CORES website by searching for “FCC CORES Login.”
- Select “Register” or “Create an Account.”
- Enter an email address and create a password.
- After signing in, select “Register for a New FRN.”
- Select “Individual.”
- Enter your name and contact information.
- Submit the form.
- The new FRN appears on the confirmation page. Record it for future use.
How to Pay the $35 Application Fee in CORES
- Sign in to FCC CORES with your email address and password.
- On the main page, select “Submit a New Filing.”
- Select “ULS Application Fee.”
- Enter your FRN and confirm your information.
- Select the $35 Amateur Radio License Fee.
- Follow the prompts to pay by credit card or bank transfer.
- Save or print the payment confirmation for your records.
Expected Processing
- After the FCC reopens, licenses are issued in order of examination date, once payment and any required verification are complete.
- A call sign may appear in the FCC ULS database within days, or within several weeks, depending on the backlog. An application that has been paid but does not appear after several weeks is most likely still in the queue.