Ability to skip a test

15 votes

If a person with a expired license take a technician they get credit for tests already taken i.e. an expired advanced get credit for a general. currently there is no way to 'skip' the general so he can take the extra test. the Administer VE/CVE needs a way to credit a test to force a skip

Planned Suggested by: Allan Batteiger (12 May, '20) • Upvoted: 22 Mar, '24 • Comments: 9

Comments: 9

12 May, '20
n2ygk
It seems this case would also apply if a candidate has other CSCE credit (e.g. they've passed an element but it has not yet been entered into CORES/ULS). On ARRL/VEC rosters we indicate this with a "C" where the usual "P/F" would go on the roster.
12 May, '20
n2ygk
And on the CSCE the credit Allan references shows as circling the appropriate lines of the top-right box:

The applicant named herein has
presented valid proof for the exam
element credit(s) indicated below.
Element 3 credit
Element 4 credit
19 May, '20
NT1K
We've tested people (in person) that moved to the US from other (CEPT) countries and they would take the exams in a different order. They would come in and take element 3, get a CSCE and then come back and take element 4 and 2. That way they'll be issued an extra class call and won't lose any privileges compared to being issued a tech license.
19 May, '20
Richard Bateman Admin
To me it sounds like there are two requests here, then; the first is to be able to say "grant this applicant credit for ______" so that it will report them eligible for a license which we don't have test information for. The second is the ability to say "yeah I know this isn't the next element, but this is the one I'm going to take" -- or rather probably for a VE to specify an override so that they do that.
13 Aug, '20
Dan Sherwood W6DAS
Richard - great job. Anything to reduce the amount of rework of batch filings to the FCC would be welcome. We get multiple requests each week for element credit for expired licenses. Adrienne currently has to manually create a mini-session for every applicant that needs this accommodation. All about automating as much as possible
14 Aug, '20
Richard Bateman
Absolutely. this is in progress and the top of my "new features" queue; I plan to do this so that it can be used for generating administrative updates as well.
06 Oct, '20
Norm Goodkin
Now that we have the ability to issue element credit right in ET, can we delete this? The "take exams in any order" is at odds with GLAARG VEC policy - we ask them to take the exams in order to minimize the interruption of our exam workflow and make it easier on our VEs. Relying on CSCEs should be a last resort and reserved for cases where it's needed, like between exam sessions where the guy upgrades before he gets a license.
06 Oct, '20
Richard Bateman Admin
This is something other VECs want support for, so it'll be added. (ability to take exams out of order)
07 Oct, '20
Jeffrey Bail - NT1K
Thanks. I think it should be implemented. Even more so if the FCC starts asking for application fees. This can allow candidates to take exams out of order in order to save $50 to $100 (if the NPRM is implemented). If they know they are going for extra (within 365 days of their first exam), they can take the exams out of order and submit an application fee at the end instead .