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Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Practice Test 2026

In Canada you need an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate to transmit on the amateur bands. The first step is the Basic Qualification exam, written with an ISED-accredited examiner. This is independent practice written in our own words. It covers every part of the Basic syllabus: rules, operating, station safety, electronics, antennas, propagation and interference.

  • Certification exams
  • Canada
  • 75 questions
  • Checked
  • Edited by A. Singh
  • Fact-checked October 23, 2026

Quick answer

The Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification exam (ISED) has 100 questions. Pass mark: 70% to pass. 80% or more earns Basic with Honours. There is no time limit. It is run by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), with exams given by accredited examiners. Practise here for free with 75 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 22, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.
Plan for my exam date Mistake notebook

  1. Question 1 of 25

    How long does a Canadian Amateur Radio Operator Certificate stay valid?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. For life

    ISED says the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate remains valid for life, so there is no renewal exam.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What is the pass mark on the Basic Qualification exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 70%

    RIC-3 sets the Basic exam pass mark at 70%. A higher score of 80% or more earns Honours.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    What score on the Basic exam earns Basic with Honours?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 80% or more

    A score of 80% or more on the Basic exam gives Basic with Honours, which adds the bands below 30 MHz.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What extra privilege does Basic with Honours give over a plain Basic pass?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Use of the amateur bands below 30 MHz

    Honours adds access to all amateur bands below 30 MHz (the HF bands). Building transmitters and club stations still need the Advanced qualification.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    A person passes the Basic exam with 72% and has no other qualification. Which amateur bands may they use?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. All amateur bands above 30 MHz

    A plain Basic qualification gives access to all amateur bands above 30 MHz. Bands below 30 MHz need Honours, Morse code or Advanced.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    What is the maximum DC input power to the final stage for a Basic qualification holder?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 250 watts

    RBR-4 limits Basic holders to 250 watts DC input to the final stage. Advanced holders may use up to 1000 watts DC input.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    What is the maximum SSB output power, measured as peak envelope power (PEP), for a Basic holder?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 560 watts PEP

    RBR-4 sets the Basic limit for single sideband at 560 watts PEP. The Advanced limit is 2250 watts PEP.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Which qualification do you need to install and operate a transmitter that is not commercially manufactured?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Advanced

    Section 44 of the Radiocommunication Regulations says a home-built transmitter or RF amplifier needs the Advanced qualification.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Who may set up a repeater that receives and retransmits in the same band, or an amateur club station?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An Advanced qualification holder

    Under section 44 of the Radiocommunication Regulations, repeaters of this kind and club stations need an operator with the Advanced qualification.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    During a long contact, how often must you transmit your call sign?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least every 30 minutes, plus at the start and end

    RBR-4 requires identification at the beginning and end of each exchange and at intervals of no more than 30 minutes.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    With which stations may a Canadian amateur station communicate?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only other stations in the amateur radio service

    Section 47 of the Radiocommunication Regulations limits amateur communication to other stations in the amateur radio service.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Which of these may you NOT transmit on an amateur station?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Music

    Section 47 of the Radiocommunication Regulations bans music, commercially recorded material and broadcast programming on amateur stations.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    What kind of code or cipher may an amateur use?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only one that is not secret

    The regulations allow only codes or ciphers that are not secret, so anyone listening could understand the message.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Someone offers to pay you for passing a message by amateur radio. What do the rules say?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You must not accept payment in any form

    Section 49 of the Radiocommunication Regulations says an amateur must not demand or accept payment of any kind for messages sent or received.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    In a real or simulated emergency, on whose behalf may an amateur send messages about the emergency?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A person, a government or a relief organization

    Section 48 of the Radiocommunication Regulations allows emergency messages on behalf of a person, a government or a relief organization.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    A friend with no certificate wants to speak through your amateur station. What is allowed?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They may take part while you are present and supervise

    Section 46 of the Radiocommunication Regulations lets any person take part in communications under the supervision of a qualified operator.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    If you fail the Basic exam, when may you try again?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. As often as needed, with a different exam each time

    ISED lets candidates who fail be retested as often as necessary, but each retest must use a different exam.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Who gives the Basic Qualification exam in most cases?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An ISED-accredited examiner

    Accredited examiners run amateur exams. They hold Basic, Morse code and Advanced qualifications and are at least 18.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What is the minimum age to write the Basic exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. There is no age limit

    RIC-3 says there is no age restriction and no nationality restriction for candidates, but you must show photo ID.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Below 30 MHz, when may you transmit an unmodulated carrier?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only for brief tests

    RBR-4 allows unmodulated carriers below 30 MHz only for brief tests, because a steady carrier carries no information and adds congestion.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    In a band where RBR-4 says amateurs share with other services on a secondary basis, what applies?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Amateurs must not cause interference to other services and get no protection from them

    In these bands an amateur must not interfere with stations in other services and cannot claim protection from interference they cause.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What are the edges of the 2 metre amateur band in Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 144 to 148 MHz

    Schedule I of RBR-4 lists the 2 metre band as 144.000 to 148.000 MHz, available to Basic holders.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    Does Canada prohibit international third-party messages on amateur radio?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No, but the other country may have its own limits

    RBR-4 says Canada does not prohibit international third-party communications. The rules of the other country still apply on their end.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    What is the ITU phonetic word for the letter V?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Victor

    The ITU phonetic alphabet uses Victor for V. Using standard words avoids confusion between letters that sound alike.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the ITU phonetic word for the letter K?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Kilo

    The ITU phonetic alphabet uses Kilo for K. Amateurs use it to spell call signs clearly, as listed in the RIC-3 syllabus.

What to know before the test

  • The Basic exam has 100 questions drawn from 100 topic areas. The pass mark is 70%.
  • A score of 80% or more gives Basic with Honours, which adds all amateur bands below 30 MHz.
  • A new Basic exam took effect on July 15, 2025. All examiners and candidates must use the new exam.
  • No time limit is set. Most candidates finish in about one hour, and an exam should normally not take more than two hours.
  • There is no age or nationality limit for candidates, but you must show the examiner photo ID.
  • If you fail, you may be retested as often as needed. Each retest must use a different exam.
  • Your Amateur Radio Operator Certificate remains valid for life.
  • Basic holders may use up to 250 watts DC input, or 560 watts PEP on single sideband.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Basic amateur radio exam?

100 multiple-choice questions, one from each of 100 topic areas. You need 70% to pass, and 80% or more earns Basic with Honours.

What does Basic with Honours give me?

It adds all amateur bands below 30 MHz (the HF bands). A plain Basic pass gives all bands above 30 MHz.

Where do I write the exam?

With an ISED-accredited examiner. Use the accredited examiner search on the ISED site to find one by area code, city or province. Examiners may charge a fee to cover their own costs.

Does the amateur radio certificate expire?

No. ISED says the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate remains valid for life. You must tell ISED if your mailing address changes.

Is this the official ISED question bank?

No. This is independent practice written in our own words from the ISED rules and syllabus. ISED publishes its own study questions and practice exam on its amateur radio exam generator page.

Is there a time limit?

ISED does not set one. Most people finish in about an hour, and examiners decide what is reasonable.

Sources

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