First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (T1)

A T1 is required only for those who serve as the chief radio operator on a U.S. passenger ship. It also conveys 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 described below under Examinations; and

• be at least 21 years old; and

• have one year experience in sending and receiving public correspondence by radiotelegraph at a public coast station or both.

The FIrst Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate is issued for a period of five (5) years. These licenses may be renewed from anytime within the last 90 days of their term up to five years following expiration without having to re-take an examination. After the five year grace period expires, applicants must retake the requisite written and/or telegraphy examination(s). An expired certificate is not valid for any radio operations.

Submit FCC Form 605 and FCC Form 159 (fee processing form) along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates (for the requisite written and/or telegraphy examination elements) to apply for any commercial operator license, with the exception that endorsement examinations do not require the filing of the Form 159 or any fees. Also, Restricted Radiotelephone Operator permits have no proof of passing certificate requirement. Use the FCC Form 605 and the FCC Form 159 to renew your license or to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated license. Many Commercial Operator License Examination (COLE) Managers file these documents for applicants who test with them. Ask your COLE Manager if they provide this service to their customers.

 Photographs Required for Radiotelegraph Licenses and Six Months Service Endorsements

Examinations

To obtain an FCC Commercial Operator License, applicants must submit, to the Commission, proof of passing written and/or telegraphy Elements as illustrated in the following table.

View License Comparison Chart Written Elements Telegraphy Elements Type of License 1 3 5 6 7 7R 8 9 1 2 3 4 First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate

Written Examination Elements

• Element 1 - 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.

• Element 5 - Radiotelegraph Operating Procedure. Radio operating procedures and practices generally followed or required in communicating by means of radiotelegraph stations. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 38 out of 50 questions.

• Element 6 - Advanced Radiotelegraph. Technical, legal, and other matters applicable to the operation of all classes of radiotelegraph stations. To pass, an examinee must correctly answer at least 75 out of 100 questions.

Telegraphy Examinations Elements

• Element 3 - 20 code groups per minute.

• Element 4 - 25 code groups per minute.

Telegraphy exams consist of both transmitting and receiving tests. Examinees must copy by ear and send by hand plain text and code groups in the international Morse code using all the letters of the alphabet, numerals 0-9, period, comma, question mark, slant mark, and prosigns AR, BT, and SK. Examinees must copy and send at the required speeds for one continuous minute without making any errors. Each test lasts approximately five minutes. The failing of any code test automatically terminates the examination.

Code speeds are computed using five letters per word or code group. Punctuation symbols and numbers count as two letters each.

Examinees may use their own typewriter or similar device to copy the 25 words-per-minute receiving test, but must copy tests at lower speeds by hand. Likewise, examinees may use their own semi-automatic key to send the 25 word-per-minute sending test, but must send tests at lower speeds using a hand key.

The Commission will grant credit for Telegraphy Elements 1 and 2 to applicants who hold an unexpired (or within the grace period) FCC-issued Amateur Extra Class operator license.

 Additional Examination Information

 Testing Managers, Locations, Schedules and Fees

 Additional Licensing Information

Return to Top

Last reviewed/updated on 12/5/2005.