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United Kingdom · Licence exam

The Ofcom ham radio licence: levels, power and rules

There are three levels, Foundation, Intermediate and Full, and you get each one by passing its RSGB exam. As of October 2026, Foundation allows up to 25 W on most bands, Intermediate 100 W and Full up to 1,000 W. An Ofcom ham radio licence stays in force until it’s revoked or you give it up, but Ofcom can revoke it if you don’t confirm your details at least once every five years.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Foundation, Intermediate and Full compared

Power figures are peak envelope power from Schedule 1 of the licence, as the RSGB prints it in its 2026 exam reference booklets. Some bands have lower limits, so check the exact band in your own licence.

FoundationIntermediateFull
Exam26 questions, 60 minutes46 questions, 90 minutes58 questions, 2 hours
Power on most HF and VHF bands25 W100 W1,000 W (less on some: 400 W on 30 m and 70 cm, 160 W on 4 m)
Microwave bands1-2 W, up to 10 GHz100 W, up to 250 GHz400 W, or 1,000 W on a few
5 MHz and 472 kHzNoNoYes
Use abroadNot routinely recognisedNot routinely recognisedCEPT T/R 61-01 and T/R 61-02
Every band and its power limit →

What rules come with an Ofcom ham radio licence?

  • Use the station for self-training in radio or as a leisure activity, never for business.
  • Send messages only to other amateur stations. You can help with communications in an emergency or for a user service such as the British Red Cross or St John Ambulance.
  • Don’t encrypt messages to hide their meaning. The only exception is control signals for amateur satellites.
  • Don’t transmit for general reception, apart from initial calls such as CQ and nets of three or more amateurs.
  • Keep your station identifiable, and give your call sign as often as practicable.
  • Other people can operate your station only with your permission and under your direct supervision, and you stay responsible.
  • Don’t cause undue interference. A person authorised by Ofcom can inspect your station and require changes or closedown.
  • Keep a log only if a person authorised by Ofcom asks you to.
  • If you control your station remotely, the link must be secure so nobody else can take control, remote control links on amateur frequencies must be above 30 MHz, you must be able to stop transmissions promptly, and the licence number must be shown on any equipment away from your main address.
  • Above 10 W EIRP (6.1 W ERP), check that your station doesn’t expose the public to electromagnetic fields above the limits, and keep a record.
Call signs and identification →Antennas and EMF checks →

Where you can operate

The licence covers the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, including their territorial seas, and ships or aircraft registered there when they’re in international waters or airspace. On a ship or aircraft you need the captain’s agreement. Airborne use is allowed only on bands that list an airborne power limit, usually 500 mW EIRP.

Abroad, other countries don’t routinely recognise Foundation or Intermediate. Full licence holders can operate under CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01 in countries that apply it, though not on a club licence. The syllabus adds that many countries offer reciprocal licences to UK amateurs with a HAREC Full licence, and you then follow the host country’s rules.

RSGB: Operating abroad ↗

Do you need to renew a ham radio licence?

Not as such, but you must revalidate. That means confirming your details with Ofcom at least once every five years, on the online licensing system or by email to spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom may revoke a licence that isn’t revalidated, so keep your contact details up to date or the reminders won’t reach you.

Tell Ofcom straight away if your name or address changes. The licence can’t be transferred, and you can hold only one personal licence. The RSGB says Ofcom’s portal now needs a password of at least 14 characters.

RSGB: UK amateur licensing ↗
Sources: RSGB and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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