Become a radio amateur

As a radio amateur you have wide latitude to transmit and to build or modify your own transmitting equipment. Doing that safely and responsibly takes technical and operational know-how, plus a grasp of the regulations. That is why the BIPT (the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications) organizes radio amateur exams.

Passing earns you an operator certificate. With it you may transmit, and you can apply for a station license to set up and operate your own radio station. No prior knowledge of electronics is needed: the courses in the UBA sections start from scratch.

There are three classes of operator certificate. The more privileges you get, the more demanding the exam. Class C is the entry level (the "basic license"); class A grants full privileges.

Your callsign gives away your license

A Belgian callsign consists of a prefix and a suffix — for example ON4OSA, with prefix ON4 and suffix OSA. The digit in the prefix tells you which license was obtained:

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions with four possible answers, one of which is correct. Every correct answer counts for 1 point; a wrong or blank answer for 0 points. There is no penalty for guessing — always answer every question, even if you are unsure.

No exemptions whatsoever are granted: not on the basis of other qualifications, and not because you previously passed particular parts of the exam.

The syllabus for the technical and procedural parts follows the CEPT recommendations (TR 61-02 for class A, ECC (05)06 for class B and ECC Report 89 for class C). As a result the syllabus is similar in all CEPT countries, which is what makes mutual recognition of licenses possible. The regulations part is set by the BIPT and is identical for all three exams.

The BIPT holds the exams at its own offices in Brussels:

BIPT
Koning Albert II-laan 32 bus 10
1000 Brussels
tel. 02 226 88 88 · info@bipt.be

By arrangement with a recognized radio amateur association, an exam can also take place elsewhere; those sessions are announced on the UBA website. Exams are held on business days during office hours only.

Registering

You register by email at examen@bipt.be, stating:

• your first name and surname as they appear on your identity card;
• your full address;
• your phone number (not required, but useful);
• the exam you are registering for (class A, B or C);
• the period in which you want to take the exam — or the place and date if you are registering for a session at another location.

As attachments you add:

• a copy of your identity card (front and back);
• a copy of your practical test certificate — for class C only.

The BIPT then sends a confirmation with the date and time, together with an invitation to pay the registration fee. Your registration is only complete once that payment has been made.

You must be at least 12 years old to take an exam.

On the day

Be on time: if you arrive less than 15 minutes before the exam starts, the BIPT may refuse you entry.

To take the BIPT class C exam you must first have passed the practical test. It is administered by the recognized radio amateur associations, usually at the end of a class C course — the course also prepares you for it.

During the test you demonstrate that you can operate an amateur radio station correctly and make a contact following the proper procedures.

For the class A and class B exams you do not need this certificate.

Morse is no longer required. You do not need to know Morse to obtain an operator certificate or license in Belgium — CW is not part of the class A, B or C exams.

The Morse test does still exist, but it is entirely voluntary. Those who pass receive a certificate of achievement. Holders of a Belgian class A operator certificate can use it to have the endorsement "Morse xx WPM" added to their certificate.

In Flanders the BIPT Morse test is organized by UBA section DST (Diest) — in 2026 for the ninth time, in accordance with the decision of the Council of the BIPT of January 19, 2021.

Two levels

Two tests are held one after the other, at different sending speeds:

Both tests take place on the same day, one after the other, so you can go for the higher level if you wish. The ON4DST website has the current date and location, sample recordings at 5 and 12 WPM, and tips for learning Morse. Radio amateurs from abroad may take part; validating the certificate is then up to their own administration.

• Textbooks. For classes A and B there is the UBA HAREC handbook; for class C the UBA basic license handbook. Both are available from the UBA service bureau.
• Courses in the UBA sections. A class C course usually comprises 12 to 20 teaching hours spread over a few weeks. Class A is a good deal more: 30 to 40 sessions of 2 to 3 hours (80 to 120 teaching hours), spread over six months to a year. Class B sits in between. In most cases no prior knowledge is required.
• The UBA online learning environment. With practice questions per class — roughly 800 questions for class A (plus a mock exam), 400 for class B and 250 for class C — and forums for your questions about the syllabus.

Not sure where to start? Drop by one of our meetings — you will find the dates and places on the home page. We are happy to help you choose a class and prepare for it, whether you already have experience with electronics or are starting from zero.

• UBA — Radioamateurexamen (classes, exam structure, registration and preparation — in Dutch)
• UBA — Roepnamen (prefix per license type — in Dutch)
• ON4DST / UBA section DST — BIPT Morse test (sending speeds, date and location — in Dutch and French)
• BIPT — How do I register for an exam? (registration and minimum age — in Dutch)
• BIPT — Decision of January 19, 2021 (rules governing the tests and exams for radio amateurs — in Dutch)

This page summarizes the official information as an introduction. For the current and binding conditions — including the registration fee — please refer to the BIPT and the UBA.