Received 4/2/2020 from ARRL HQ
We know many examiners have canceled Amateur Radio License exam sessions to meet the requirements and recommendations of national and local government and health officials. The health and safety of examinees and our Volunteer Examiners is first and foremost in any decision-making process. ARRL VEC does not offer video supervised online Amateur Radio licensing exams at the present time. However, we know some VE Teams are exploring alternative formats on a local basis. Please continue to use ARRL’s License Exam Search to find scheduled exam sessions in your area and verify with the local exam team that the session is still being held. Please visit www.arrl.org/exam.
ARRL VEC is continuing to process license examination materials received from Volunteer Examiners who have completed exam sessions although under the circumstances there are some delays. For qualified examinees, ARRL VEC forwards electronically all required data to the FCC.
We understand there are examination candidates who continue their studies toward new Amateur Radio Licenses and license upgrades. We also know some will be frustrated that, at this time, ARRL VEC does not offer online licensing exams. Amateur radio is not alone in this challenge, though.
While each of us continues to respond to the immediate evolving crisis, we also know that we must keep an eye to our future. Throughout its decades of service, the VEC system has served the FCC as a shining example of the successes of a privatized system. The ARRL VEC and our Volunteer Examiners are recognized throughout the Amateur Radio Service for our integrity and efficiency. Adapting our all-volunteer license examination administration will be a challenge, but one we are committed to undertake in order to advance the program and improve service.
While we face unprecedented challenges, opportunities also await. We are grateful to support radio amateurs in our common pursuit of skill, service, and discovery. ARRL and ARRL VEC remain steadfast in serving you. We will provide updates as they become available.