FCC NPRM MD Docket No. 20-270 changing FCC fee structure, including Amateur Radio. $50 for new licenses and renewals and Vanity License Applications

[AK9R]

What happens when you do all the paperwork and testing, yet the applicant delays or never pays the FCC?

Then, they don't get a license. In the scenario where the prospective licensee pays up front, then takes the test, and fails the test, the FCC would have to issue a refund if the prospective licensee didn't pass a test in a given timeframe.

If the FCC worked it like they did back when they were charging for vanity callsigns, you had to pay at the time you made your application (within a certain number of days), and if your application was unsuccessful, you had to apply for a refund. That's a paperwork headache for a Federal agency that is already underfunded, understaffed, and continually struggles with a 1990's vintage computer database system.

 

[k6cpo]

What happens when you do all the paperwork and testing, yet the applicant delays or never pays the FCC?

Applicants should pay up front to the FCC to demonstrate positive intent.

The same thing that happens when somone answer's "yes" on the basic qualification question, then fails to file the required follow-up statement with the FCC. The license just won't be issued. In either case, the VEs and VEC have discharged their responsibilities and are no longer part of the process.

 

[AK9R]

FCC says amateur radio application fees unlikely to go into effect until 2022.

The schedule of FCC amateur radio application fees likely will not go into effect before 2022. FCC staff confirmed during a recent virtual meeting with Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) that the agency is still working on the necessary changes to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) software and other processes and procedures that must be in place before it starts collecting fees from amateur applicants. Earlier this year, the FCC said it would not start collecting fees from amateur applicants before this summer. The new estimate is that the fees won’t go into effect until early next year.

FCC Application Fees Unlikely to Go into Effect Until 2022

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

arrl.org

 

[trentbob]

When applying for a vanity call sign last month I spoke to someone in the FCC who confirmed this information the ARRL just issued. They said the fees would not be going into effect anytime soon.

A VEC I know also said they would have absolutely nothing to do with collecting any fees, nor would any second parties, that would be up to the licensee and the FCC.

That's a bit of good news that there will be a delay.

 

[N4GIX]

Yeah, but that delay just means I have more excuse to postpone working on my Extra exam...

 

[AK9R]

Announcement of effective date of the new fees: FCC announces effective date of new application fees