Types of Commercial Licenses and their requirements
Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP)
Description
MPs are required to operate radiotelephone stations aboard certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes. They are also required to operate radiotelephone stations aboard vessels of more than 300 gross tons and vessels which carry more than six passengers for hire in the open sea or any tidewater area of the United States. They are also required to operate certain aviation radiotelephone stations and certain coast radiotelephone stations.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must:
be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.
Term of License
An MP is issued for the holder's lifetime. (Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for an MP was five years. Any holder of an MP that expired prior to March 25, 2008, was required to file an application to renew the permit within the five-year grace period after expiration.)
How to Obtain a License
Submit FCC Form 605 through electronic filing in ULS along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates (for the requisite written examination element). Please file in ULS to renew a license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLEM if it provides this service to its customers.
Examination
To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must submit, to the Commission, proof of passing written Elements as illustrated in the following table.
For the Marine Radio Operator Permit must pass written element 1 that involved Basic radio law and operating practice with which every maritime radio operator should be familiar. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 18 out of 24 questions.
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General Radio Telephone License (GROL)
Description
A PG is required to adjust, maintain, or internally repair FCC licensed radiotelephone transmitters in the aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. It conveys all of the operating authority of the MP. It is also required to operate the following:
any compulsorily equipped ship radiotelephone station operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power.
voluntarily equipped ship and aeronautical (including aircraft) stations with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must:
be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.
Term of License
A PG is issued for the holder's lifetime.
How to Obtain a License
Submit FCC Form 605 through electronic filing in ULS along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates (for the requisite written examination element). Please file in ULS to renew a license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLEM if it provides this service to its customers.
Examinations
To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must submit, to the Commission, proof of passing written elements. You must pass the elements 1 and 3.
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Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS)
GMDSS Radio Operator's License (DO)
Description
The DO qualifies the holder to operate, and make some basic equipment adjustments to, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio installations. It also confers the operating authority of the MP.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must:
be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.
Term of License
A DO is issued for the holder's lifetime. (Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for a DO was five years. Any holder of a DO that expired prior to March 25, 2008, was required to file an application to renew the license within the five-year grace period after expiration.)
How to Obtain a License
Submit FCC Form 605 through electronic filing in ULS along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates (for the requisite written examination element). Please file in ULS to renew a license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLEM if it provides this service to its customers.
Examinations
To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must pass written element 1 and 7
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GMDSS Radio Maintainer's (DM)
Description
The DM qualifies personnel as GMDSS radio maintainers to perform at sea repair and maintenance of GMDSS equipment. It also confers the operating authority of the PG and MP.
NOTE: In instances where an applicant qualifies for both a DO and a DM, the applicant qualifies to hold a GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License (DB).
Qualifications
To qualify, you must:
be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.
Term of License
A DM is issued for the holder's lifetime. (Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for a DM was five years. Any holder of a DM that expired prior to March 25, 2008, was required to file an application to renew the license within the five-year grace period after expiration.)
How to Obtain a License
Submit FCC Form 605 through electronic filing in ULS along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates (for the requisite written examination element). Please file in ULS to renew a license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLEM if it provides this service to its customers.
Examinations
To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must submit, to the Commission, proof of passing written Elements 1,3&9.
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GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License (DB)
Description
The DB confers the operating authority of the DO and the DM (and, by extension, it also confers the operating authority of the PG and MP).
Qualifications
To qualify, you must:
be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.
Term of License
A DB is issued for the holder's lifetime. (Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for a DM was five years. Any holder of a DM that expired prior to March 25, 2008, was required to file an application to renew the license within the five-year grace period after expiration.)
How to Obtain a License
Submit FCC Form 605 through electronic filing in ULS along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates. (Indicate on Schedule E of FCC Form 605 if you are requesting consolidation of DO and DM operator licenses.) Please file in ULS to renew your license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLEM if it provides this service to its customers.
Examinations
To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must submit, to the Commission, proof of passing written Elements 1,3,7&9.
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Radio Telegraph License (T)
Description
The T authorizes the holder to operate, repair, and maintain ship stations, and to repair and maintain coast radiotelegraph stations in the maritime services. It also confers all of the operating authority of a T2.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must:
be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and
be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and
pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as required by the Rules.
Term of License
The T is issued for the holder's lifetime.
How to Obtain a License
Submit FCC Form 605 along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates to apply. Use the FCC Form 605 and the FCC Form 159 (fee processing form) to renew your license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLEM if it provides this service to its customers.
Examinations
To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must submit, to the Commission, proof of passing written and telegraphy Written Elements 1 and 6 and Telegraphy elements 1 and 2.