Intermediate Licence

Now that you have your amateur radio licence and have gained experience operating, it may be time for you to move on to an Intermediate Licence

The Intermediate Licence carries with it more privileges and also more responsibilities on you as a radio amateur.

The advantages of stepping up to the Intermediate Licence include an increase in permitted operating power, repeater/beacon possibilities and access to the hi-tech frequencies in the microwave bands.

The course

It’s not necessary to take a course to sit the Intermediate exam, but we would strongly recommend doing so.

A list of online courses can be found on our Online Training Resources page.

You can also use our Course and Exam Finder to find a club that will provide the Intermediate course near you. Please check with your local club to find out what training and support they can offer, before and after the exam.

The clubs and training organisations may or may not charge for their services, the RSGB recommends you check thoroughly before committing to sign up to a course.

Understandably, the Intermediate course is longer and more challenging than the Foundation.

It aims to teach many of the fundamentals of radio in a stimulating way, building on the experience you have gained as a Foundation Licence holder.

The exam

The exam consists of 46 multiple choice questions, each with four possible responses, which cover the remainder of the syllabus.

The examination lasts 90 minutes.

The exam may be taken online or on paper at an RSGB registered venue, or at home online with a remote invigilator.

You will be given your result immediately after you complete the online exam, together with detailed feedback regarding your performance.

For the Intermediate Licence exam there is a fee of £39.00.

Don’t forget that you need to have passed the Foundation exam first!

What happens after the exam?

You will receive an official result notification in the post from the RSGB Examinations Department.

This takes around six working days from your exam date.

If you have passed, you will also receive a certificate and your candidate number.

The RSGB Examinations Department will upload your pass to the UK communications regulator Ofcom, which is responsible for issuing amateur radio licences.

You may then log on to the Ofcom licensing system to apply for your licence.

If you apply for your Intermediate licence on the Ofcom website, your licence is free of charge.

Visit the Ofcom amateur radio pages to find out more about applying for an amateur radio licence.

Ofcom will then issue your new, upgraded radio licence and you can get started immediately on the Intermediate frequency allocations with your enhanced privileges.

Now you are not only a licensed radio amateur, but you are one step closer to having the Full Licence — an internationally-recognised qualification that will enable you to travel and transmit legally almost anywhere in the world.

Finding help where you live

The RSGB is organised in regions and there are volunteer Regional and District Representatives across the UK. To find out who is your nearest representative take a look at our Regional Team information. They will be very happy to answer questions or give you advice on your next steps.

To find out more about the Intermediate licence, call the RSGB Examinations Department on 01234 832 700 and we will be pleased to answer your questions.

The RSGB wishes you the best of luck with your Intermediate studies.