Question E1E10:
[97.509(m)] What must the administering VEs do after the administration of a successful examination for an amateur operator license?  

Choices:  
A: They must collect and send the documents directly to the FCC  
B: They must collect and submit the documents to the coordinating VEC for grading  
C: They must submit the application document to the coordinating VEC according to the coordinating VEC instructions  
D: They must return the documents to the applicant for submission to the FCC according to the FCC instructions    

Correct Answer is  C: They must submit the application document to the coordinating VEC according to the coordinating VEC instructions  

Correct answer: C

Why C is correct
- 47 CFR §97.509(m) requires the administering VEs to submit the candidate’s application document to their coordinating VEC, following that VEC’s procedures. The VEC is the entity that interfaces with the FCC and files the application for the new or upgraded license.

Why the others are incorrect
- A: Incorrect. VEs do not send exam documents directly to the FCC; submissions go through the coordinating VEC.
- B: Incorrect. The VEs grade the exams at the session. The VEC does not “grade”; it processes and forwards applications to the FCC.
- D: Incorrect. Applicants do not submit their own exam paperwork to the FCC; the VEC handles FCC submission.

Useful rules of thumb
- Process flow: $Applicant \rightarrow VE \rightarrow VEC \rightarrow FCC$
- VEs: conduct and grade exams, issue CSCE, and submit the application and session paperwork to the VEC.
- VEC: processes the application and submits to the FCC.
- “Application document” is typically the NCVEC Form 605 (or equivalent per the VEC’s instructions).