How to Get Training in Amateur Radio
Are you interested in getting your Amateur Radio Certification?
For information from Industry Canada's website, visit amateur-radio-operator-certification for a high level description and visit amateur-radio-operator-certificate-services/en for a more interactive view including downloadable files.
News: On May 30, 2025, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) published three important documents related to the Amateur Radio examinations:
ISED updated “RIC-1 – Guide for Examiners Accredited to Conduct Examinations for Amateur Radio Operator Certificates” which sets standards for Amateur Radio certificate examinations
This update to RIC-1 makes three important changes:
- ISED has given specific direction on the conduct of “virtual examinations,” that is, examinations conducted over the internet.
- ISED has dropped geographic restrictions for AEs. AEs in any province or territory may now examine candidates in any province or territory.
- ISED has clarified that both the candidate and the AE must be in Canada at the time of the exam.
On that same date, ISED published two new documents specifically for the Basic exam:
- A sheet of formulas and block diagrams. These are fully labelled. ISED is offering these for training purposes only.
- A very similar sheet of formulas and block diagrams with all labels and context removed. These may be used as approved reference material during all Basic examinations starting on July 15, 2025.
Previously announced on July 5, 2024, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) posted the following announcement on its website:
(Updated July 18, 2025)
Exciting Updates on CARA's Amateur Radio Courses
We had initially planned to resume our in-person Basic and Advanced Amateur Radio classes in Calgary this September. However, after careful consideration, we've realized that launching them this fall would be a bit too ambitious. To ensure we provide the best experience possible, we've decided to postpone the start of these courses to early 2026.
We're thrilled about the upcoming changes! The classes will be held at the CARA Station, located within the Calgary Sports Car Club, with sessions likely scheduled for Sunday afternoons. This is part of our broader initiative to offer ongoing training and learning events as part of our Continuing Education program.
We're also excited to introduce a new team of instructors and are currently reviewing the course outlines and schedules to enhance your learning experience.
Please note that these classes will be based on specific training books:
- Basic Class: Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide
- Advanced Class: Advanced Qualification Study Guide
You'll need to purchase the appropriate guide before classes begin.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to our training coordinator at training@caraham.org.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing you in our classes soon!
Warm regards,
The CARA Training Team
Where else can I get training?
Meanwhile, there are also other options if you want to get your HAM Certificate on your own.
Here are a few options:
On-line courses:
- The most popular by far is the RAC sponsored Annapolis Valley Amateur Radio Club (AVARC) of Nova Scotia. These are offered on your chose of 2 days, Either Thursday evenings or Sunday afternoons. (Starts Jan 30th, 2025)
- Also available is online classes at Peterborough Amateur Radio Club . (These start Jan 13th, 2025)
- RAC maintains a list of provincial Basic classes and Advanced Classes https://www.rac.ca/amateur-radio-courses/
Self-Based training:
In addition, there are community provided self-pace training websites that may be of interest.
- HAMSHACK QSL Courses Discover the Basic and Advanced Amateur Radio Courses from Hamshack.ca, optimized for mobile learning and utilizing the proprietary QSL (Question Specific Learning) method. => https://hamshack.ca/qsl-courses/
- VA6HAL has put together a modular course on line for both Basic and Advanced. => http://www.clares.ca/
There is a lot of valuable video and training based information here. - Ylab's Free Canadian Amateur Radio Training Class ==>> https://www.ylab.ca/radioclass/
This has PDF, PPT, and YouTube Video's of all of the lessons.
Also, this course is also presented as a course on https://quizglobal.com/play/course/203 - Annapolis Valley Amateur Radio Club (Nova Scotia) offers Course material to supplement their RAC Basic and Advanced courses ==> https://avarc.ca/index.php/online-basic-course/ You will want to take their course through RAC.
- TNARC (The Northern Alberta Radio Club) is offering the Basic course (this year) over 6 weekends spread over 3 months. https://www.tnarc.ca/training
Is getting an Amateur Radio Certificate difficult?
The Certification testing objectives and practice exams are available on line at the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ISED website
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/amateur-radio-operator-certificate-services/en/amateur-radio-exam-generator.
The Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide
The Coax Publications Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide includes all information required to pass the current ISED’s exam. The new 4th printing was reprinted and updated for the 2021 study season.
Coax Publications also publishes the Canadian Amateur Radio Advanced Qualification Study Guide (2nd Edition, 2nd Printing). Written to the same high standards as the Basic Study Guide, this book covers all questions in the Industry Canada Advanced Qualification question bank while providing needed context.
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