First-Class Radiotelegraph Ticket SK

As of May 20, 2013, the FCC will stop accepting applications for First Class, Second Class or Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator certificates. The ARRL Letter reports that current certificates will remain valid until expiration but will be renewed under a new licensing plan in which the old First Class and Second Class commercial licenses will be merged into a new Radiotelegraph Operator License, while the Third Class license will be consolidated with the Marine Radio Operator Permit and all current Third Class licenses will be renewed as Marine permits. This move is similar to FCC action more than 25 years ago on commercial radiotelephone licenses.