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In order to get a GMRS license with the FCC, you must be at least 18 years old and not be a representative of a foreign government. A GMRS license lasts for 10 years; and with a license, any of your family members can operate a GMRS radio. GMRS licenses can be renewed starting 90 days out from the expiration date, all the way up to the day of expiration. Should your GMRS license expire, you will need to apply for a new one. We are going to walk you through how to register for a GMRS license right here.

Getting a license to operate GMRS radios is not complicated. Arguably, the overall poor usability of the FCC websites is probably the biggest pain about the whole process. That’s mostly OK though, as we are going to walk you through the GMRS license registration process; and let you know how you can maintain your license(s) as well.

Registering for a GMRS Radio License

Step 1: Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) from the FCC. See post under the Related Content below for details.

Step 2: Go to: FCC Universal Licensing System. (It is NOT the same as the FCC CORES website.) Use your new FRN to log in.

Step 3: Once logged in, click on Apply for a New License (at the time this was written, the link was in the left rail).

Step 4: Select ZA – General Mobile Radio (GMRS) at the very bottom of the dropdown menu’s options and then click the Continue button.

Step 5: Answer the Applicant Questions. (If you do not know what the questions mean or what they are referencing, it is probably OK for you to move forward with the default options selected.) Click the Continue button after you have selected the appropriate answers to the questions.

Step 6: Enter your name and contact information for Licensee Information and then click Continue.

Step 7: You must then answer whether you (or those completing the application for you) have ever been convicted of a felony by any state or federal court. Hopefully, not. After answering, click Continue.

Step 8: Review the data you provided and edit as needed. Otherwise, click Continue to Certify.

Step 9: You will need to read over both the General Certification Statements as well as the Certification Statements for GMRS Applicants/Licensee, as presented, before moving on to provide your digital signature. Once you have read over everything and provided your online, digital signature, Click Submit Application.

Step 10: Next you will follow the process of paying for your GMRS license fee of $35.00 for 10 years (as of 06/01/2025).

GMRS License and Call Sign

You should be notified of your license within just a couple of days, if that, at which time you should also receive your GMRS call-sign. It should not take long. Yes, GMRS utilizes call-signs which, as a GMRS operator, you must use.

Managing Your GMRS License

Once you have one or more GMRS licenses (or even one or more amateur radio licenses), you will be taken to My Licenses page each time you log in. Here, you will see a list of both your amateur as well as your GMRS licenses (with call-signs).

In this area, you can view or update the information for your licenses. You are able to update the licensee name and address associated with the license. As of this post, the Update link is over in the right rail.

Bonus: Safety Tip

Consider using a PO Box or PO Box service instead of your actual address when registering with the FCC. Your address will ultimately be published anywhere and everywhere your callsign will be once you become licensed. This is mostly a safety tip, as you may not like your home address being made public in multiple places.

Resources

• FCC Registration – Commission Registration System (CORES)
• FCC Universal Licensing System
• FCC ULS Login
• FCC GMRS
• MyGMRS
• NotaRubicon Productions (a solid GMRS resource)

Conclusion

GMRS is certainly an option for those wanting a step-up from Family Radio Service (FRS) while not going all the way to amateur (HAM) radio. With GMRS, you get the advantage of antenna options as well as the option of using repeaters. Not bad. Just be sure to thoroughly test where you are. And nothing says you cannot start out with GMRS before moving into amateur. In the meantime, enjoy having the option of radio communications with your family or friends with GMRS. It’s fun. You’ll see.

Have a specific question we have yet to answer about GMRS? Leave them in the comments below.

NOTE: Once you have your license, you are ready to operate a GMRS radio. In order to use a GMRS repeater, you need to request permission to use any GMRS repeater, as a courtesy, if nothing else. You can do this for any repeater you are wanting to utilize through the MyGMRS site listed above.

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