How to Study for Your US Amateur Radio License

So you've decided to get into ham radio? That's great! It's an incredible hobby full of fascinating rabbit holes that can seem overwhelming at first. One of the most common challenges early on is the question:
"How do I study and learn all of this RF/electrical theory??!!"

This concern comes up often, but it isn’t as scary as it sounds. Many people have entered the hobby with little more than a basic understanding of electronics, while even some experienced electrical engineers have struggled to pass the entry-level exam on their first attempt.

What are the tests?

In the United States, there are three current levels of amateur radio licenses: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Advancing through the ranks involves passing multiple-choice exams that reflect increasingly broad knowledge of radio operations, regulations, and theory.

Element 2

This is the foundational exam required for all amateur radio operators. It consists of 35 questions randomly selected from a pool of approximately 400. To pass, candidates must correctly answer 26 questions (74%). Most of the questions focus on rules, regulations, safety procedures, and operating practices. There's minimal math or technical RF theory, so it’s possible to pass even if every math-related question is answered incorrectly.

Element 3

Like Element 2, this exam includes 35 questions from a pool of about 400. A 74% passing score (26 correct answers) is required. Passing this element—either concurrently with or after Element 2—earns the General Class license, which opens access to HF privileges. These questions cover more theory and procedures but still emphasize regulatory and operational knowledge.

Element 4

To achieve the Amateur Extra license, candidates must pass Element 4. This exam includes 50 questions drawn from a pool of approximately 600, with a required passing score of 37 correct answers (74%). Element 4 focuses much more heavily on RF and electrical theory, with minimal emphasis on rules and procedures.

Do I need to learn Morse code?

No. The FCC eliminated the Morse code requirement years ago. While many amateur operators still choose to learn CW (Morse code) for personal interest, it is no longer required for licensing.

Ok, cool – how do I study?

There are two common approaches to preparing for each exam:

Ham Radio Village generally supports both approaches depending on the element. Memorization can be very effective for Elements 2 and 3. For Element 4, a deeper understanding of theory is typically preferred. Amateur radio licenses are meant to be a starting point—permission to learn and explore—so once the basic rules and safety concepts are understood, operating legally and practically becomes the real learning opportunity.

Cram it all in

The complete question pools for all three exams are publicly available, including both the questions and correct answers. This makes it possible to study using exactly what will appear on the exams.

HamStudy

The most popular flashcard tool is HamStudy. It includes the entire question pool for all three elements and uses a spaced repetition algorithm to prioritize the topics a learner is struggling with. The app also features practice tests to gauge readiness. The website is free to use, and mobile apps are available for a small fee.

To get started:

  1. Create an account and log in.
  2. Select the element being studied (e.g., Technician for new licensees).
  3. Enter Study mode.
  4. Change the drop down from All Questions to T1 (or relevant sub-element).
  5. Study all questions in T1 until 100% have been seen.
  6. Ensure an Aptitude score of 85% or better before moving to the next sub-element.
  7. Repeat for each sub-element (T2, T3, etc.).
  8. Once 100% of questions have been seen with 85%+ aptitude across all sub-elements, take a practice exam.

Important: Do not rely on practice exams as the sole method of study. Practice exams do not guarantee exposure to the entire question pool unless taken extensively. Use Study mode to ensure coverage.

Other Flashcard Tools

Other flashcard-based tools exist, though results vary. The most important criterion is ensuring 100% of the question pool is covered and well understood. If every question can be answered correctly, passing the test is all but assured.

Study Sites

A variety of books, websites, videos, and tools are available to assist with exam prep—particularly helpful for Element 4. HamStudy’s mobile app also integrates study guides for many of these resources, allowing learners to align their content-based study with question pool review.

Books

KB6NU No-Nonsense Study Guides

Dan, KB6NU, has published No-Nonsense Study Guides since 2006. The Technician-level PDF is available for free; General and Extra guides are available for a small fee.

HamStudy Technician License HamBook

Richard, KD7BBC—founder of HamStudy, ExamTools, and SignalStuff—authored the HamBook for the Element 2 exam. It’s freely available online but does not currently offer a downloadable PDF or print edition.

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual

The ARRL offers an official license manual for each exam. These are available in both paperback and Kindle formats.

Gordon West WB6NOA License Prep

Gordon West is a well-known instructor and co-host of Ham Nation. His study materials are trusted and widely used by aspiring hams.

YouTube Channels

A number of YouTube creators offer video series walking through each license exam.

Ham Radio Crash Course

Josh Nass, KI6NAZ, offers a full Technician Crash Course playlist, walking through each sub-element and explaining the answers.

Dave Casler KE0OG

Dave Casler provides a guided walkthrough of the ARRL license manual, with additional content for Elements 3 and 4.

Gary W4EEY

Gary, W4EEY, publishes class recordings covering the entire question pool, along with detailed explanations.

Classes

Ham Radio Village partners with Dan, KB6NU to offer Ham-In-A-Day classes at many information security conferences across the country. These accelerated sessions provide focused study and testing opportunities designed to help attendees earn their Technician license in a single day. The format is designed to be welcoming and effective for newcomers from all backgrounds, especially those in the tech and infosec communities.

In addition to these conference-based classes, prospective operators are encouraged to connect with a local ham radio club. Many clubs offer regularly scheduled in-person or virtual classes, study groups, and license exam sessions, and are a great way to get involved with the local ham community.

This guide is maintained by Ham Radio Village, a community of builders, learners, and experimenters passionate about growing the amateur radio community. Whether you're just getting started or climbing the ladder toward Amateur Extra, we’re here to help.