VHF / Marine Radio Short Range Certificate - Exam Only

Candidates of any nationality or residency are eligible to take the UK-SRC exam, provided they are 16 years old or older on the exam day. There is no upper age limit for attending an SRC Training course. Candidates must meet one of the following three qualifying criteria before taking the final SRC exam:

1. Completed a recognised classroom-based SRC course to a satisfactory level, delivered through an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
2. Completed the RYA Online SRC course to a satisfactory level, delivered through an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
3. Hold an acceptable non-GMDSS Maritime Radio Operators certificate pre-1999 (Restricted certificate).

Candidates are required to pay for the examination via the RYA website.

The SRC exam is delivered in two parts:

1. The RYA Theory exam paper is timed at 30 minutes.
2. The practical element includes setting up the Marine VHF DSC radio for a Channel 16 radio watch. Candidates will also be expected to send a Routine Call by voice and DSC alert, an urgency Pan Pan call by voice and DSC alert, and a Distress Call by voice and DSC alert. Additionally, candidates will be asked about other GMDSS equipment covering Sea Area A1, including EPIRBs, SARTs, and Navtex.

It is recommended that candidates study all relevant subjects, including GMDSS, using the RYA VHF Radio Handbook before the final exam. The RYA VHF Radio Handbook should be included in your online course, either as a hard copy or as an eBook, depending on the option chosen.

If you have taken the RYA Online Radio course with another Training Centre, you are welcome to join our SRC scheduled exams. You will need to ask the Training Centre where you booked the original Online VHF Radio course to send us the SRC exam report form.