Central Iowa Testing Opportunities
Exam Candidates are REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES system and receive a Federal Registration Number (FRN) before exam day. Bring the FRN with you on exam day. The FCC CORES User Account and Registration page is https://apps.fcc.gov/cores
The FCC requires a $35 application fee for new, renewal, rule waiver, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. More information is available at https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee. This fee is in addition to session exam fees noted below.
Free Testing
Sponsored by Story County Amateur Radio Club
AMES
Testing sessions are held at the Danfoss room on the second floor of the Ames Public Library at 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA 50010 (map).
- Saturday, January 24, 2026 10:00am at the Ames Library (pre-register)
- Sunday, April 19, 2026 2pm at the Ames Library (pre-register)
- Sunday, July 19, 2026 2pm at the Ames Library (pre-register)
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 2pm at the Ames Library (pre-register)
Exam Fee: FREE
Pre-registration is REQUIRED
More info at http://www.w0yl.com/ve-team
Testing
by other VE teams
Please verify testing dates and locations with the VE team.
BOONE
2025 Dates: Feb 8, Apr 12, Jun 14, Aug 9, Oct 11, Dec 13
Time: 9:00 AM (check in at 8:30am)
Location: Boone Pioneer Center
Address: 1112 Story street, Boone, IA
Website: https://www.qsl.net/kb0tlm/
Talk-In: 146.850
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Steve Huffman, N0NEU, 515-230-0459
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
Saturday, October 18, 2025 at the 3900 Club Hamboree
Hours: 9:00 AM
Location: Boone County Fair Grounds, Erb Center
Address: 1601 Industrial Park Road, Boone, IA 50036
MARSHALLTOWN
2025 Dates: Mar 2, May 11, Aug 10, Dec 7
Time: 10:00 AM (check-in at 9:30am) No walk-ins, Please call/email ahead to register
Location: Marshall County Emergency Management Office
Third Floor Emergency Operations Center
Address: 2369 Jessup Ave, Marshalltown, IA
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Brian Krumm, N0MXK, 641-751-2492
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
West Des Moines
2025 Dates: Jan 19, Mar 16, May 18, Jul 20, Sep 21, Nov 16
Time: 1:00 PM (No walk-ins, Please email ahead to register)
Location: Johnstone Supply Company classroom
Address: 11000 Justin Drive, Urbandale, IA
Not Handicapped Accessible
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
West Des Moines
2025 Dates: April 26
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: DMRAA Hamfest - Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
Perry
2025 Dates: Feb 22
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Winter RF Fest / Perry National Guard Armory
Address: 2930 Willis Ave., Perry, IA 50220
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
Indianola
2025 Dates: Feb 2, Apr 16
Time: 12:30 PM
Address: Maple Creek Construction, 12160 R57th Hwy, Indianola, IA
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net 2025 Dates: Sep 20
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: St. Thomas Church
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
Creston
2025 Dates: Jun ?
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Union County Emergency Management - Creston Hamfest
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
Mason City
2025 Dates: Apr 12
Time: 12:30 AM
Location: Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management Agency, 2716 S Federal Ave, Mason City, IA
Exam Fee: $15
Contact: Rick Allen, N0CFL
Email: (his call sign)@arrl.net
Further Info
Other Iowa testing opportunities can be found on the ARRL Exam Sessions for Iowa page and at the HamStudy website.