47 CFR § 13.7 - Classification of operator licenses and endorsements.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t47/s13.7"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "47 CFR § 13.7 - Classification of operator licenses and endorsements."
title_number: 47
title_name: "Telecommunication"
section_number: "13.7"
section_name: "Classification of operator licenses and endorsements."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "13"
part_name: "COMMERCIAL RADIO OPERATORS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "47 U.S.C. 154, 303."
regulatory_source: "58 FR 9124, Feb. 19, 1993, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "13"
---


# 13.7 Classification of operator licenses and endorsements.

(a) [Reserved]

(b) There are nine types of commercial radio operator licenses, certificates and permits (licenses). The license's ITU classification, if different from its name, is given in parentheses.

(1)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Radiotelegraph Operator License.

(5) General Radiotelephone Operator License (radiotelephone operator's general certificate).

(6) Marine Radio Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).

(7) Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).

(8) Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit-Limited Use (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).

(9) GMDSS Radio Operator's License (general operator's certificate).

(10) Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License (restricted operator's certificate).

(11) GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License (technical portion of the first-class radio electronic certificate).

(12) GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License (general operator's certificate/technical portion of the first-class radio electronic certificate).

(c) There are three license endorsements affixed by the FCC to provide special authorizations or restrictions. Endorsements may be affixed to the license(s) indicated in parentheses.

(1) Ship Radar Endorsement (Radiotelegraph Operator License, General Radiotelephone Operator License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License).

(2) Six Months Service Endorsement (Radiotelegraph Operator License)

(3) Restrictive endorsements relating to physical disability, English language or literacy waivers, or other matters (all licenses).

(d) A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit-Limited Use issued by the FCC to an aircraft pilot who is not legally eligible for employment in the United States is valid only for operating radio stations on aircraft.

(e) A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit-Limited Use issued by the FCC to a person under the provision of Section 303(1)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is valid only for the operation of radio stations for which that person is the station licensee.

[58 FR 9124, Feb. 19, 1993; 58 FR 12632, Mar. 5, 1993, as amended at 68 FR 46958, Aug. 7, 2003; 73 FR 4479, Jan. 25, 2008; 78 FR 23152, Apr. 18, 2013; 90 FR 57703, Dec. 12, 2025]