FCC's Morse Code Report & Order
The FCC's 05-235 R&O on the Commission's proposal to eliminate the Morse code requirement for all license classes was issued on 12/19/2006. However, it does NOT go into effect until 30 days from the time it is printed in the "Federal Register". The Federal Register Publication Date and the Effective Date are NOT yet known. As soon as the R&O is published in the Federal Register the ARRL will verify the effective date and publicize it on the ARRL Web and in QST.
The FCC has clarified that there will be no changes in the administration of Amateur Radio examination elements or upgrades and in granting a Certificate for Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE). CSCEs are only valid for examination credit for 365 days from date of issuance per FCC Rule 97.505(a)(6); applicants cannot use CSCEs older than that to upgrade. Amateurs possessing CSCEs that have gone beyond the 365 day window must retest. The FCC will not make any exceptions to this rule. Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) will handle all upgrades through volunteer examiner teams.
Candidates for General or Amateur Extra testing between now and the effective date of the new rules will still have to pass Element 1 (5 WPM Morse code) to obtain new privileges. Those earning Element 3 or Element 4 credit between now and the effective date of the new rules will receive a CSCE from the VE team. Once the new rules are in place, anyone holding a valid CSCE may apply for an upgrade at a VE examination session. As with any candidate who attends a test session, the candidate must present a photo ID, their current license and CSCE document, pay the $14 test session fee and fill out a NCVEC form 605 to have the upgrade paperwork processed. The upgrade may NOT be sent directly to the FCC or the VEC.