VEC-02 — Lesson 4 of 5

Running the Session: Session Leader Duties

VE assignment, conflict-of-interest, retest policy, cheating protocol, and accommodation.

Lesson Objectives

Assign VE tasks correctly based on license class and the element being administered
Apply the conflict-of-interest rule before and during the session
Establish and enforce a retest policy that complies with FCC rules
Handle a cheating incident from observation through RC notification
Provide examination accommodation when requested

Part A — Starting the Session

Sub-task 4-1: Assigning VE tasks

Exam elements	Required VE license class
Element 2 only	Amateur Extra, Advanced, or General
Elements 2 and 3	Amateur Extra or Advanced only
Elements 2, 3, and 4	Amateur Extra only

Sub-task 4-2: Conflict of interest

Before the session begins, the Session Leader must ensure that no VE who has a family member, in-law, or household member submitting an application participates in any capacity — monitoring, registration, or grading. App. 8 §4.2.

⚠

FCC definition of family is broad

Prohibited relationships include: spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, siblings, stepsiblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. FCC in-laws include a parent, stepparent, sibling, or stepsibling of a licensee’s spouse. §97.509(d).

Part B — Retest Policy

Setting and enforcing your team’s retest policy

The FCC does not require teams to offer retesting. The TL creates the team’s policy. Three options exist:

No retesting — permitted, and the simplest policy
Retesting allowed, no conditions — applicant may retest immediately
Retesting with conditions — TL may set a minimum failure count or cap attempts

🚫	FCC rule: different exam required for every retest If retesting is offered, the team may never administer the same exam or question set to the applicant during the same session or on a subsequent session on the same day. A different version must be used. §97.509(f) / App. 4 §2.4.2.3.

Part C — Cheating & Accommodation

Cheating

If VEs observe cheating, the exam will not be graded. The Session Leader must: (1) inform the applicant they were observed cheating, (2) inform them they may no longer participate in the session, (3) instruct them to leave the facility, and (4) notify the RC as soon as possible. App. 4 §2.23 and App. 8 §6.1.9.

Accommodation

Applicants may request a large-print exam without proof of visual impairment. App. 8 §6.9.1.
An applicant may request that the exam be read aloud. No documentation required. The Session Leader designates three appropriately qualified VEs. App. 8 §6.9.2.
Large-font exams do not contain figure-based questions, making them suitable for read-aloud administration. App. 8 §6.9.2.1.

Knowledge Check

A General class VE is present. Applicants are testing for both Technician and General. Which elements may this VE administer?

A. Element 2 only B. Elements 2 and 3 C. Elements 2, 3, and 4 D. None — only Amateur Extra VEs may administer any element in a mixed session

Knowledge Check

A VE’s sibling’s spouse is registering to take Element 2 today. What does the Session Leader do?

A. Allow the VE to participate in monitoring only B. Allow the VE to participate fully — a sibling’s spouse is not covered by the FCC family definition C. Allow the VE to administer the exam but prohibit grading or signing D. Prohibit the VE from participating in any capacity during this session — they may observe but not participate

Knowledge Check

As Team Leader you want to allow unlimited retesting attempts. Is this permitted under FCC rules?

A. No — FCC rules cap retesting at two attempts per element per session B. No — the LARC VEC prohibits offering more than two attempts per element C. Yes — teams may set any retest policy including unlimited attempts, provided each retest uses a different exam version D. Yes — unlimited retests are allowed including reusing the same exam after 30 minutes

Knowledge Check

An applicant requests that their exam be read aloud. They provide no documentation of disability. What is the correct response?

A. Require documentation before granting the accommodation B. Grant it — applicants may request a read-aloud exam without proof of disability; the Session Leader selects three qualified VEs to administer it C. Grant it only if the Session Leader judges the request to be genuine D. Refer the applicant to the RC for approval

Knowledge Check

An applicant presents an expired Class C (Conditional) license and a callbook page confirming their information. Class C carried the same operating privileges as Class B (General). What element credit is this applicant entitled to?

A. Element 3 credit — Class C (Conditional) was the pre-modernization equivalent of General class; an expired pre-1987 equivalent license grants Element 3 credit B. No credit — expired licenses from pre-modernization FCC classes are not recognized for element credit C. Element 2 credit only — all expired pre-1987 licenses grant Element 2 credit regardless of original class D. Elements 2 and 3 credit — pre-modernization General equivalent licenses always grant credit for both elements when expired

Knowledge Check

An applicant states he has a cognitive learning disability and requests to take an open-book exam. What is the correct response?

A. Grant the accommodation immediately — FCC Sec. 97.509(k) requires VEs to accommodate any applicant whose disability requires a special examination procedure B. Deny the request — Laurel VEC only accommodates physical disabilities requiring a special exam procedure C. Grant the accommodation if the applicant can provide a physician’s note at the session today D. Deny the open-book request — the FCC has determined open-book exams are not permitted regardless of disability; advise the applicant that for other accommodation types, a physician’s note and RC notification are required before any commitment can be made

Knowledge Check

A General class VE on your team takes and passes his Amateur Extra exam during your morning session. You have another session this afternoon. Can he administer and grade Amateur Extra class exams?

A. No — he may not participate in any VE capacity until the FCC processes and publishes his upgrade B. Yes — passing his Extra exam gives him full authority to administer, grade, and sign all session documents immediately C. He may administer and grade Extra class exams, but may not sign the Form 605 or CSCE since his upgrade will not appear in SessionManager until the FCC processes it D. Yes, but only if the TL countersigns all documents to confirm the VE’s newly earned Extra class status

Knowledge Check

An applicant with a neurological processing disorder asks to take their exam in a separate quiet room to minimize distractions. How should you respond?

A. If your venue has space or you can schedule their exam at a quieter time, you may accommodate this informally — a separate quiet space does not change the exam itself and does not require a physician’s note or RC notification B. Deny it — separate room accommodations are only available for physical disabilities under FCC Sec. 97.509(k) C. Follow the full Sec. 6.9.3 process — tell the applicant the Laurel VEC cannot commit without further information and require a physician’s note before any accommodation of any kind D. Contact the RC during the session for real-time approval before deciding

Reference: Full P&P Document →

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