1. The Volunteer Examiner System
Roger Reini, KD8CSE November 9, 2017

2. Before the VE System The FCC administered exams until 1984
Only given at the 23 FCC district offices – during working hours
Some exams conducted by mail for those 125 miles away from an office
Examiners gave code exams first, and if you passed those, then you were given the theory exam

3. Why the VE System Budget cuts to the FCC
September 1982: law authorizes FCC to seek the help of private individuals and organizations in preparing and administering amateur radio examinations
Various organizations get together to determine how to prepare the questions to be asked and how to administer the exams
1984: Anchorage ARC becomes the first certified VEC and gives the first exam under the new system

4. How the VE System Works
A small number of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC’s) that serve as the go-betweens between the FCC and the examiners
Initially 28 VEC’s certified by the FCC; number is now down to 14
Each VEC qualifies and certifies its Volunteer Examiners (VE’s), who administer exams and submit paperwork per their VEC’s procedures
The VEC will take the results of the exams and enter licensee information into FCC databases
VEC’s cooperate in developing question pools for exams through National Conference of VEC’s (NCVEC)

5. Duties of a Volunteer Examiner
Administer and grade licence exams (minimum of 3 per session, more can be used)
Principle: VE’s administer exams for classes below the one they hold (although Extra Class amateurs can administer Extra Class exams)
Process the paperwork for each applicant and for the session overall
Collect any fees that are required
Give CSCE’s (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) to successful applicants

6. How to become a Volunteer Examiner (ARRL)
Must hold at least a General Class license
Study the procedures in the ARRL VE Manual
Fill out application and take the test (Open Book)
Send the results to ARRL-VEC
Get a badge and certificate that serve as official VE credentials
More info:
One can hold accreditation with multiple VEC’s

7. List of VEC’s ARRL – the largest VEC W5YI – the second largest
Anchorage ARC VEC – first VEC to be certified and first to give an exam; does not charge for its exame; operates in Alaska only
Central America CAVEC -- HQ in Alabama
Golden Empire Amateur Radio Society (GEARS)
Greater LA Amateur Radio Group
Jefferson Amateur Radio Club – VEC – HQ in Louisiana

8. List of VEC’s (continued)
Laurel Amateur Radio Club – HQ in Maryland; does not charge for its exams; administers the tests at Hamvention
MRAC VEC – operates in the Milwaukee area only
MO-KAN VE Coordinator
Sandarc-VEC
Sunnyvale VEC Amateur Radio Club – operates in Silicon Valley
W4VEC
Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society VEC

9. Resources
National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators:
List of VE resources (ARRL):