FCC regulates that aircraft and ship stations permit only people with appropriate FCC-issued GROL licenses to perform maintenance, transmitter operations, and repair assignments. However, if you wish to get a permit, you must pass an examination administered by COLEMs or the Commercial Operator License Examination Managers.

You should get a commercial operator license to repair, operate and maintain specific aircraft and ship radio communication stations. The requirements for managing these stations are essential, which is why you should stay with us to learn more about the process. As soon as you enter here, you will learn everything about FCC GROL certification.

Remember that a commercial operator cannot imply or constitute FCC authorization to transmit signals. Therefore, before you operate a radio station, you must ensure that the station features a certification from an FCC.

Radio Operators

Suppose a ship features more than six passengers, it operates on MF or HF which are medium and high frequencies. You should get a commercial radio operator license to handle the ship radio stations. At the same time, you will need professionals for ships transmitting radiotelegraphy and sailing to foreign ports.

Finally, the ship must surpass three hundred gross tones, which should feature a radio station for safety considerations.

However, you do not need a certification to operate ship stations on VHF frequencies that do not make international communications and avoid traveling to foreign ports. Of course, if the vessel features more than six passengers and is more significant than three hundred gross tones, the regulations state that it should feature a radio station.

At the same time, a person without certification can handle maritime support, shore radiolocation and radar, and radio navigation stations, among other things. You do not require someone with an FCC license to operate the coast station, which works the same with aircraft. Therefore, if your plane uses VHF frequencies, you can rest assured.

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgQW4ZNasRw to learn the entire guide to getting a certification with ease.

Radio Repair and Maintenance

You should get a commercial operator certification to maintain and repair all ship radar and radio stations, coast stations, aircraft stations, and aeronautical ground stations that exist to communicate with a plane. At the same time, you will need someone to maintain hand-carried units that ships use to communicate with coast stations through marine frequencies.

You cannot operate GMRS or amateur radio stations when you possess a commercial operator certification. Instead, only people with specific amateur licenses can handle GMRS stations, which is vital to remember.

Additional Info

Can You Operate with a Pending Application?

Suppose you have filed an application for a commercial operator license with FCC, and you already have proof of passing. That way, you indicate that you have undergone indispensable examinations in the last 365 days. Therefore, you can exercise the privileges and rights of the applied-for operator before you get the application in the next ninety days.

Besides, the FCC must provide you with relevant certification three months after filing an application, which is a vital factor to remember. The situation would change only in moments if someone had previously suspended and revoked the commercial radio operator license.

Renewal Process

If you want to renew this license, you can electronically submit FCC forms, including 159 and 605, through the ULS or the Universal Licensing System. You must pay a separate fee for the process. You can find current information about filing location and expenses on the FCC customer support hotline. You can call or visit their official website.

If you decide to file a renewal application before your current one expires, you can operate under the FCC’s authority until they process your application. You will get a five-year grace period for renewal, which is quite enough for dealing with the process. However, if you fail to renew it, you cannot maintain or operate the equipment as beforehand.

However, if you do not renew your GROL license in a five-year timeframe, you must apply for a new one and pass the exams again. If you feature employment at a particular station where you posted the license, you can use the passing certificate for the renewal procedure, which is a vital factor to remember.

Remember that the ULS will provide you with a temporary option where you can download your license with ease. This is especially important in case you lose it throughout the years.