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
2025 Dates: Jan 26, July 20, Oct 19
Time: 2 PM
Location: Ames Public Library
Address: 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Exam Fee: FREE
Pre-registration is REQUIRED: https://hamstudy.org/sessions/amesia
More info at http://www.w0yl.com/ve-team
2025 Dates: Apr 27
Time: 2 PM
Location: Iowa State Univerisy- Howe Hall room 2220
Address: 537 Bissell Rd, Ames, IA 50011
Exam Fee: FREE
Pre-registration is REQUIRED: https://hamstudy.org/sessions/amesia
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 7, 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
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.