Subj : ARRL/VEC VE Newsletter To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Mar 31 2022 18:38:47 Important Message Update from ARRL VEC March 31, 2022 New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply To Amateur Radio License Upgrades The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade a licensee's operator class, and changes to club station trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on April 19, 2022. "We are pleased that the FCC will not charge licensees the FCC application fee for license upgrade applications," said ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager, Maria Somma, AB1FM. "While applicants for a new license will need to pay the $35 FCC application fee, there will be no FCC charge for future upgrades and administrative updates such as a change of mailing or email address. Most current licensees therefore will not be charged the new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for a new vanity call sign." ARRL previously reported that the new $35 application fee for Amateur Radio licenses will become effective on April 19, 2022. Further information and instructions about the FCC application fee will follow as it's being released. ================================================================= FCC $35 Amateur Application Fee Effective Date Will Be April 19, 2022 The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission's authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress. UPDATED INFORMATION: The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, renewal, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application processed by the FCC. If the applicant fails to pay within the 10-day window, the application will be dismissed by the FCC. The application will have to be refiled with the FCC, which will restart the 10-day window. For examinees, an application can be refiled to the FCC, by the coordinating VEC, at any time before the CSCE expires. UPDATED INFORMATION: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and modification applications to upgrade an amateur radio licensee's operator class*, will be exempt from fees. (*this new information was just confirmed by FCC staff on Tuesday, March 29.) ARRL News on Facebook | Follow us for the most up to date information. March 30, 2022 New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply To Amateur Radio License Upgrades https://facebook.com/ARRL.org/posts/10159132430912408 ======================================================================== The ARRL VEC Staff is Ready to Serve You As always, the dedicated VEC staff are here to answer any questions you may have. ARRL VEC: 1-860-594-0300 (regular business hours, US Eastern Time) Address: ARRL VEC, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111 Email: VEC@arrl.org Web: www.arrl.org/volunteer-examiners ARRL VEC Fax: 860-594-0339 Maria Somma, AB1FM, Manager Amanda O’Brien, N1NHL, Assistant Manager Stephanie Borden W2MAU, Service Representative Lisa Riendeau, Service Representative Joshua Nance, Service Representative Ann Brinius, Service Representative We thank you for your support of the ARRL VEC program. ======================================================================== ARRL VEC VE Newsletter is published by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. - The National Association for Amateur Radio (R). Material from the ARRL VE E-Newsletter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL VEC. ARRL VEC 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111 USA Sincerely, Maria Somma, AB1FM - VEC Manager / Editor ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio (R) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 USA msomma@arrl.org --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (618:250/33) .