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Summary of FCC Commercial Licenses (Elements 1, 3 and 7)

MARINE RADIO OPERATOR PERMIT (MROP)

The Marine Radio Operator Permit is required to operate radiotelephone stations on board certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes, on large ships and vessels that carry passengers for hire. In addition, the MROP license is necessary for individuals to use radio equipment on vessels that operate sideband radios on medium to high frequencies and at certain aviation and coastal radiotelephone stations. The simple answer to who needs the FCC MROP License? An operator of vessels over 65 feet in length, or any size inspected vessel that is carrying passengers for hire, and any vessel traveling to foreign ports.

Eligibility – A candidate for the FCC MROP must be a legal U.S. resident or eligible for employment in the U.S., and be able to receive and transmit in the English language and pass a written exam (FCC Exam Element One), which covers basic radio law and maritime operating procedures. The FCC Element 1 Exam consists of 24 multiple choice questions, the minimum passing score is 18 of the 24 questions answered correctly (75 percent).

The MROP is issued for the holder's lifetime. (Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for a Marine Radio Operator Permit was five years. Any holder of a Marine Radio Operator Permit that expired prior to March 25, 2008, must still file an application to renew the permit within the five-year grace period after expiration.)

GENERAL RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATORS LICENSE (GROL)

The General Radiotelephone Operators License (GROL) is required for anyone who will adjust, maintain or internally repair transmitters in the aviation, maritime and international fixed public radio services. In addition, to the operating authority granted by the MROP, it also permits the operation of maritime land or ship radio stations of more than 1,500 watts PEP and voluntarily equipped ships or aeronautical stations with more than 1,000 watts PEP. The General Radiotelephone Operator Permits are issued for the holder's lifetime.

Eligibility – A candidate for the FCC GROL license must be a legal U.S. resident or eligible for employment in the U.S., and be able to receive and transmit in the English language and pass two written exams (FCC Exam Element 1), and Element 3, which covers electronics fundamentals and techniques required to repair and maintain radio transmitters and receivers. The GROL replaced the old First and Second Class Radiotelephone license effective June 15, 1984, and now issued as a lifetime license. The FCC Element 3 Exam consists of 76 multiple choice questions, the minimum passing score is 57 of the 76 questions answered correctly (75 percent).

GMDSS OPERATOR LICENSE (ELEMENT 7) Replaced Telegraph in 2002

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Operator’s License is required for those who operate the new satellite-based marine emergency sub-systems and equipment. For mariners serving on GMDSS equipped vessels that are required by regulation to be equipped they must also complete a U.S. Coast Guard approved GMDSS training and certification course to comply with the training requirements of the International STCW Convention and Code.

A GMDSS Radio Operator's License is issued for the holder's lifetime. (Prior to March 25, 2008, the license term for a GMDSS Radio Operator's License was five years. Any holder of a GMDSS Radio Operator's License that expired prior to March 25, 2008, must still file an application to renew the license within the five-year grace period after expiration.)

Eligibility – A candidate for the FCC GMDSS Operator’s license must be a legal U.S. resident or eligible for employment in the U.S., and be able to receive and transmit in the English language and pass two written exams (FCC Exam Element 1), and Element 7, which covers GMDSS radio operating practices. Element 7 consists of 100 multiple choice questions, the minimum passing score is 75 of the 100 questions answered correctly (75 percent).