Is there a practical assessment?

The practical assessments were removed; the Foundation exam is now the written multiple-choice paper alone.

How much power can a Foundation licensee run?

Since the 2024 changes, Foundation licensees may use up to 25 W on most amateur bands. Check the current licence schedule for the exact per-band limits.

What comes after Foundation?

Intermediate, then Full. Each is a separate exam with more theory and more privileges; there is no waiting period between them.

Get a UK amateur radio licence (Foundation)

Book the 26-question RSGB Foundation exam online, pass at 19/26, then claim a free lifetime licence and callsign from Ofcom — usually inside a month.

Time: 2–4 weeks of study · 60-minute exam · licence issued online within days
Cost: £27.50 exam fee (RSGB) · £0 for the Ofcom licence
Reviewed: 5 Sept 2026; 5 steps · 14 checks

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The Foundation licence is the first of three UK amateur licence levels and the fastest route onto the air anywhere in the world: an online exam you can take from home, a pass mark of 19 out of 26, and a licence from Ofcom that costs nothing and is issued within days.

Learn the Foundation syllabus

Download the current RSGB Foundation syllabus and a training book (the RSGB "Foundation Licence Manual" or a club's free course).
Most clubs run a Foundation course over a few evenings or one weekend; the online "Foundation Online" courses are the self-paced equivalent.
Take several mock exams from a site that uses the current syllabus until you pass comfortably.

Book the exam

Book through the RSGB exam booking system: remote invigilation from home (webcam, quiet room) or a club-run session.
Pay the exam fee (£27.50 online at the time of review; clubs may add a small charge for in-person sessions).
Have photo ID ready for the invigilator.

Sit the paper

26 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes, pass mark 19 (73%).
Read each stem twice; the wrong answers are written to look right at a glance.
Results are typically confirmed by email shortly after the session, and the pass is registered with Ofcom by the RSGB.

Claim your licence from Ofcom

Log in to the Ofcom online licensing portal (create an account if needed).
Apply for an amateur radio Foundation licence, quoting your exam pass details.
Choose or accept your callsign (Foundation callsigns are in the M7 series) and download the licence PDF. There is no fee.

Stay licensed

Put a reminder in your calendar to revalidate the licence on Ofcom's portal at least every five years; it is free, but a lapsed licence can be revoked.
Record your station details as the licence requires, and keep the Ofcom licence terms at hand when you set up.

Questions

Is there a practical assessment?: The practical assessments were removed; the Foundation exam is now the written multiple-choice paper alone.
How much power can a Foundation licensee run?: Since the 2024 changes, Foundation licensees may use up to 25 W on most amateur bands. Check the current licence schedule for the exact per-band limits.
What comes after Foundation?: Intermediate, then Full. Each is a separate exam with more theory and more privileges; there is no waiting period between them.

Sources

The numbers above come from these pages. If a fee or date here disagrees with the source, the source wins.

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Get a US ham radio licence (Technician)

An FCC Technician Class licence and a callsign, valid 10 years

2–4 weeks of study · $35 FCC fee + $0–15 exam session fee · 6 steps

Licences & certifications · India

Get an Indian ham radio licence (ASOC)

An ASOC (Restricted or General grade) and a VU callsign licence from the WPC wing of DoT

3–12 months end to end · ₹100 exam fee per grade · 6 steps

1Learn the Foundation syllabus

2Book the exam

3Sit the paper

4Claim your licence from Ofcom

5Stay licensed