RYA VHF Marine Radio

Short Range Certificate

1-day Classroom Course

You must do this RYA course and pass the practical exam to apply for your VHF radio operators licence. To use a fixed or handheld VHF marine band radio it's a legal requirement to have the qualification. Your licence is then valid for life.

Your course pack includes the RYA's "VHF Radio Handbook". The final qualifying exam will be held on the same day. Please note, there is a separate exam & certification fee of £60 payable to the RYA. 

If you hold a pre-1999 license you need to update to the new VHF SRC. There have been many significant changes since then. Contact us if you have any questions.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to book

In a hurry?  You can also do the radio course now, online   Read more

There are two steps to gaining your VHF radio operator license.

Step 1. Study the course content: either Online or on a 1-day classroom course

Step 2. Complete the final written & practical exams in person at a training centre.

Pre-course Study
The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires candidates to do 3 hours pre-course study before attending the classroom course. You'll receive your course pack by post once payment is confirmed. You'll also have access to our free quiz & top tips for the practical exam.

Final Exam
This takes place at the end of the day's tuition. There's a mostly multiple choice question paper and a short practical assessment which involves making different kinds of DSC alerts. 

TOP TIP - Familiarise yourself with the ICOM Radio 
Take all the stress out of the final practical assessment. It's so much easier if you familiarise yourself with the menu structure of the radio you'll use in the exam before you come. VHF radios are not as intuitive as mobile phones. Worth a few minutes of your time!

Sending a Routine Alert by DSC

Manually inputting another boat's MMSI number

Manually entering a position
(It's much easier to have your radio permanently connected to GPS!)

Sending a DSC distress Alert

FAQs:

I need to get the license soon. What's the quickest way?

Is there an age limit?

Although there is no age limit to do the course, the minimum age for the assessment is 16.

I have an RYA/MCA 'VHF Restricted Operator's Certificate'. Can I update it to the GMDSS Short Range Certificate?

The easiest thing to do is just take the course again. If you don't want to attend a 1-day course and exam, the online course is perhaps a good alternative.

Click here for course joining instructions