Time To Validate Your Licence?

Time To Validate Your Licence?

Amateur licensees are reminded that their licence (now “lifetime”) must be validated at least once every 5 years in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of their licence.

Due to the anticipated workload at the time of the London Olympic and Parlaympic Games in 2012, exceptionally, Ofcom has automatically validated Amateur licences which were issued from November 2006 to August 2007, extending by one year the latest date that these particular licences would need their first validation – i.e. November 2012 to August 2013 or 6 years from their respective dates of issue.

Licences issued after August 2007 will need validation as usual in the normal way – at least once every 5 years.

It only takes a few minutes to register your details and make any necessary updates to your licence online.

If you are experiencing difficulties or need assistance in processing your licence on-line, please call 0300 123 1000 or 020 7981 3131 or Textphone: 020 7981 3043 or 0300 123 2024 (please note that textphone numbers only work with special equipment used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing).

Why has Ofcom taken this decision?

Ofcom has taken this decision to avoid having a large number of validations to process around the time of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

How do I know if my licence is affected?

Your lifetime licence will have an issue date between 1st November 2006 and 31st August 2007. Please make sure you have the most up to date version of your licence document as the issue date would have changed if you have made any amendments or validated the licence recently.

My licence details are incorrect and needs updating. What do I do?

Register your details with the Ofcom online licensing services and make the necessary changes to your licence online. This includes changes to station and mailing addresses.

Do I have to validate my licence?

Yes You must validate your licence at least once every five years from the date of issue (even if there have been no changes to your licence details). You do not have to wait for 5 years. You can validate your licence any time you wish to. Your next validation period will commence from the latter of the dates that you either re-validate your licence or that you make any changes to your station and / or mailing addresses.

The easiest way is to register your details with the Ofcom online licensing service and validate your details online. This only takes a few minutes.

Why is it important to validate?

It is important to validate because it is part of the terms, conditions and limitations of the licence. Ofcom must be notified of any changes to the details of the licence.

Will I get a new licence document after Ofcom extends the validation period?

Ofcom will not be issuing any new licence documents to affected licensees. The main point to note is that if your licence has an issue date for instance 31st March 2007 then its new validation due date will be 30th March 2013. This is within six years as opposed to the normal five years.

When should licences that were issued after August 2007 be validated?

Licences issued after 31 August 2007 will need their initial validation as usual at the latest, five years after the relevant date of issue.

What do I do if a licensed family member or a friend is deceased and someone needs advice?

Ofcom would require a written notification with a copy of the death certificate or power of attorney to cancel the licence.