Grading, Certification & Post-Session Activities

Grading methods, preparing and signing the CSCE and Form 605, what applicants must be told, and how to close out the session correctly.

Grading methods

Every exam must be graded by three qualified VEs as soon as possible after the applicant completes it §97.509(h) P&P App. 8 §7.1. If an applicant is allowed to retest, a different version of the exam must be used. §97.509(f) P&P App. 4 §2.4.2.3

Manual grading P&P App. 8 §7.2.1

• ✓Use the answer key or overlay matching the exam booklet number on the answer sheet App. 8 §7.2.1.1
• ✓Mark incorrect answers on the sheet (colored pen, or vertical/horizontal/slanted lines) App. 8 §7.2.1.2
• ✓Record the number of correct and incorrect questions; circle pass or fail App. 8 §7.2.1.3
• ✓All three grading VEs initial and/or write their call signs on the answer sheet App. 8 §7.2.1.4
• ✓The Session Leader, if one of the graders, should grade last App. 8 §7.2.1.2 Note

Electronic grading (ExamTools, ZipGrade, etc.) P&P App. 8 §7.2.2

• ✓The system must show correct/incorrect counts, pass/fail result, and generate a printable sheet with failed questions marked App. 8 §7.2.2.1.1
• ✓Only one VE needs to scan the sheet — but three qualified VEs must view and confirm the results App. 8 §7.2.2.1.2
• ✓All three VEs must initial and/or write call signs on the answer sheet App. 8 §7.2.2.2

Form 605 and CSCE rules

Three certifying VEs must independently: P&P App. 8 §10.1–10.3

• ✓Review all applicant paperwork (answer sheets, element credit, Form 605, CSCE) App. 8 §10.2
• ✓Confirm the Form 605 and CSCE are 100% complete and 100% correct App. 8 §10.2
• ✓Correct any errors before signing App. 8 §10.2.1–10.2.2
• ✓Sign and date both documents — the same three VEs must sign both, preferably in the same order §97.509(i) App. 8 §10.3.2

Applicant review and signature P&P App. 8 §11.1

The applicant must review their information on the Form 605 and CSCE. App. 8 §11.1.2 Pay particular attention to: name, address, FRN, email, felony question answer, and any pending FCC applications. App. 8 §11.1.2.1 If anything is incorrect, correct or replace the form(s) and re-sign. The applicant must sign before the CSCE is issued and before they may leave. App. 8 §11.1.4 Note

Required post-exam information for applicants

• 1

  CSCE validity

  Element credit on the CSCE is valid for 365 days from the issue date §97.505(b) P&P App. 8 §12.1.1.

• 2

  Application fee

  New license and renewal applicants must pay the FCC application fee. Payment must be received within 10 days of the FCC assigning a file number. Failure to pay results in the application being dismissed. P&P App. 8 §12.1.2–12.1.3

• 3

  Felony explanation deadline

  Applicants who answered “Yes” to the felony question must submit a written explanation of circumstances to the FCC within 14 days of being assigned a file number. Failure results in dismissal even if the fee is paid — and the fee is not refunded. P&P App. 8 §12.1.4 P&P §7.2.4.1

• 4

  Do not amend online

  Applicants should not attempt to amend their application online — the FCC warns this may cause a 2–3 week delay. For amendments or questions after a file number is assigned, call ULS Help Desk: 877-480-3201 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm ET). P&P App. 8 §12.1.6–12.1.7

• 5

  Expect emails

  Applicants will receive an email from the FCC (with fee payment link) and an email from the Laurel VEC (with fee instructions and, if applicable, felony explanation instructions). P&P App. 8 §12.1.5

After the session ends P&P App. 8 §13

• 1

  Gather and secure all documents

  Collect all exam booklets, answer keys, overlays, blank forms, and applicant paperwork before leaving the facility. App. 8 §13.1

• 2

  Restore the facility

  Return to a clean state; restore furniture to original arrangement; lock/secure as required. App. 8 §13.2–13.3

• 3

  Enter data into SessionManager

  If not done during the session, enter all applicant and exam result data. Review for 100% accuracy and completeness before uploading. App. 8 §13.4 App. 4 §2.20

• 4

  Scan all paperwork

  Scan: Session Summary Report, VE Sign-in Sheet, Registration Log, all Form 605s, all answer sheets (pass and fail), element credit copies, and any optional forms used. All scans must be legible. App. 8 §13.5 App. 4 §2.20

• 5

  Upload to the VE Portal

  Attach scanned documents and the encrypted SessionManager ENC file to the session listed in the VE Portal. If a TL or DTL had a family member apply, they may not upload — contact RC for assistance. App. 8 §13.6 App. 4 §2.21

• 6

  Retain then destroy

  Retain original paper documents for 30 days from the session date, then destroy them. Teams may not keep originals beyond 30 days. SessionManager data may be retained indefinitely. App. 8 §13.7 App. 4 §2.22

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