Some information to help people outside the UK who may be looking to operate in the UK.
Got a non-UK licence and want to operate in the UK?
You can potentially operate in the UK with a non-UK licence under certain conditions. There is guidance on what licences are acceptable here: RSGB – Operating for visitors to the UK
Want to take a UK exam from outside the UK?
Yes, this is permitted. According to the RSGB Exam Report for 2021, 26 people sat a Foundation exam from outside the UK. The exam can be taken online, monitored by an RSGB invigilator over webcam.
You can book your exam online via the RSGB website: book exam – As you will see from the booking form, you are asked for a UK postal address. RSGB remote exams have specific requirements, notably:
- Windows or Mac computer (No tablets, Chromebooks or Linux)
- Webcam and microphone
- Stable Internet connection – at least 2Mbps
- Suitable room – quiet, no other people
- Photo ID to be presented
What does the UK Foundation licence get me?
The Foundation licence can only be used to transmit whilst in the UK, and is therefore of little use to people who live outside the UK.
Need a HAREC?
We know that some people like the idea of taking a UK exam and using it to get a reciprocal licence in another country. The Foundation licence isn’t recognised by most countries, so it is of limited use. What you’d need is a UK “Full” licence, not a “Foundation”.
The “Full” UK licence is HAREC-compliant and therefore recognised by many countries. See here for more: HAREC information T/R 61-02
Getting a UK Foundation Licence
Assuming you pass the UK Foundation exam, you will be sent a pass certificate, and with this, you will be able to get a licence from the UK’s regulator, Ofcom.
When applying for the licence, you will have to provide a correspondence address and a “Main Station Address”, which must be in the UK, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. Below is an example from the paper application form, although most will be applying online:
Studying for UK Foundation?
If you’re looking to study for the UK Foundation licence from outside the UK, consider getting a copy of our Foundation Study Guide. This is aimed at helping people to pass the Foundation exam, and includes the exam syllabus, plenty of tables and diagrams, plus exam tips and a complete Foundation mock test. We also have a sister book containing six complete mock tests.
Our Foundation Study Guide is available in paperback and eBook format in many countries and for Kindle, Apple, Google and Kobo formats.
- Foundation Study Guide: Available for Amazon Kindle, Paperback via Amazon, on Apple Books, Google Books, Kobo and now as an Audible Audiobook and Apple Audiobook
- Foundation Mock Tests: Available for Amazon Kindle, Paperback via Amazon, Apple Books, Google Books and Kobo
We also offer an on-demand online training course: Foundation On Demand Course
Studying for UK Full (HAREC)
There are two ways to get a UK “Full” licence:
- Passing three exams: Foundation, the Intermediate and then Full, or
- Passing the “Direct to Full” exam
If you want to study for this exam from overseas, try the Full Licence Manual for self-study.
You can book your exam online via the RSGB website: book exam
Any questions?
Feel free to add them as a comment below, or discuss this in our Essex Ham Forum
If you have any questions about the UK exam itself, we recommend you contact the RSGB, who run the actual exams, at exams@rsgb.org.uk
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