Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit
The following are means to verify the credit status of someone eligible for credit. At a test session, the VEs will review all
documents presented by applicants. FCC does not require the applicant to have been continuously licensed.
Such valid credit documents may include:
1. For any credit, a CSCE issued within the previous 365 days for Element Credit (credit as indicated) is acceptable.
2. For General written test (Element 3) credit, persons who took a 50-question Technician/General written test before March
21, 1987 receive “grandfather” Technician licensees’ credit. This can be verified if an applicant presents any of the
following:
a. Per FCC Rules, an FCC Technician license issued before March 21, 1987, as indicated on the license.
b. An original Element 3 CSCE issued before March 21, 1987, is acceptable as proof.
c. If licensed in the mid-'70s or after, FCC will issue a License Verification Letter indicating that the applicant was
licensed as a Technician licensee prior to March 21, 1987. To request such a letter, write to FCC, ATTN: Amateur
Section, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (or fax 717-338-2696).
d. For 1966 or more recent records, an FCC Records Contractor extract/certification from FCC Fiche Records can be
obtained. There is a charge for this service. For assistance in acquiring copies of FCC documents, please contact
"Best Copy & Printing, Inc" (BCPI) at: Telephone 202-488-5300; TTY 202-488-5562; Fax 202-488-5563; Email
requests, help & orders: fcc@bcpiweb.com or via the Web at www.bcpiweb.com/fcc_research.html.
e. A 1987 Edition, or earlier, Radio Amateur Callbook listing is acceptable as proof (be sure to include the year of
publication reference, if not printed on the page) so long as the license class is shown in the listing (only Callbooks
Fall 1967 or later show license class).