How long after your test to get your call sign?

[radioruck]

So on Friday I met up with the VE to sign the paperwork he had to submit and then he mailed the new package in. Even if this one does arrive, looks like it'll be a while to be assigned my new call sign:

[SteveShannon]

Yes, earlier today I received the following message:

“FYI, the FCC's EBF system has been closed down for the shutdown.

You may continue to hold exam sessions, but please let your applicants know that we won't be able to upload their applications until the FCC systems are operational again.

Please submit your session scans and ENC files to the Portal as usual while we wait for operations to resume. No need for you to follow up; we will submit the pending applications as soon as the FCC resumes processing.

73

Diane Zimmerman AA3OF, Chairman Laurel Amateur Radio Club Volunteer Examiner Coordinator”

[WRUU653]

 I thought the FCC was self funded. By shutting down they cease to collect money, people are trying to give them money but they can’t take the money because they don’t have money, so you can’t give them money.

[GreggInFL]

Same with the patent office.

[SteveShannon]

On 10/1/2025 at 2:39 PM, SteveShannon said:

Yes, earlier today I received the following message:

“FYI, the FCC's EBF system has been closed down for the shutdown.

You may continue to hold exam sessions, but please let your applicants know that we won't be able to upload their applications until the FCC systems are operational again.

Please submit your session scans and ENC files to the Portal as usual while we wait for operations to resume. No need for you to follow up; we will submit the pending applications as soon as the FCC resumes processing.

73

Diane Zimmerman AA3OF, Chairman Laurel Amateur Radio Club Volunteer Examiner Coordinator”

Corrected, thanks @BoxCar - An interesting fact that I just learned from the same source as above is that during the shutdown no new FRNs will be issued.
The Laurel VEC has temporarily modified their procedures to allow testing without an FRN but the applicant must notify the exam team leader when they get their FRN. Team Leaders are urged to email the applicants who had no FRNs to let them know that the FCC is open again.

[BoxCar]

27 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

An interesting fact that I just learned from the same source as above is that during the shutdown no new FRNs will be issued. Our VEC will not test without an FRN, so people who haven’t already received their FRN will have to find a VEC that’s willing to test and then sit on the results until the shutdown ends and the applicant has an FRN. 

The ARRL is telling their coordinators to leave the field blank on the 605 and when the applicant can get an FRN submit the form. I think WCARS-VEC is doing the same, allowing the exam but holding the 605 until the FRN is presented.

[SteveShannon]

3 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

The ARRL is telling their coordinators to leave the field blank on the 605 and when the applicant can get an FRN submit the form. I think WCARS-VEC is doing the same, allowing the exam but holding the 605 until the FRN is presented.

Thanks, I was wrong. I’ve corrected my post above. 

[WSEZ864]

I just got word from our coordinator that our October amateur radio licensing exam session (tomorrow evening) has been cancelled. A week ago when I RSVP'ed as one of the VEs, we had two candidates pre-registered (and usually that number doubles or triples at exam time), so I am assuming we cancelled this session due to the shutdown.