Amateur radio licensing in China

Lore & Background

The Certificate of Amateur Radio Operation is supervised and produced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and issued by local radio regulatory authorities. It is valid nationwide and effective for a lifetime. Operation Certificates are divided into three categories: Class A, Class B, and Class C, each granting different operational privileges. First-time applicants face no age restrictions but can only take the Class A exam. Those with a Class A certificate and a station license held for more than 6 months can take the Class B exam. Those with a Class B certificate and a station license specifying bands below 30MHz for more than 18 months can take the Class C exam. Class A and B exams are organized by local authorities, while the Class C exam is uniformly organized by the Chinese Radio Amateurs Club (CRAC).

Reader's Guide

The Amateur Radio Station License is issued by local radio regulatory authorities or the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. It implements a category-based system corresponding to the operation certificate. The station must possess a Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval Code (CMIIT ID) or pass verification testing. Call signs are allocated by the authority; individuals cannot select their own. The license is valid for five years at most, and renewal must be applied for 30 working days before expiration. Minors may apply to set up and use stations operating within 30-3000 MHz with a maximum transmit power of 25 Watts, and must submit a guardian's identity photocopy and proof of relationship.

Did You Know?

• First-time applicants for the operation certificate face no age restrictions.
• Minors can operate amateur radio stations with a maximum transmit power of 25 Watts.