Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
April 6, 2009
DA 09-777
David M. Barron
3712 Cobblestone Court
Bedford, TX 76021
RE:  Commercial Radio Operator Certificates
Dear Mr. Barron:
Thank you for your letter received January 28, 2008, in which you made suggestions regarding 
the commercial radio operator certificates, permits, and licenses issued by the Commission.  You suggest 
that, instead of the current paper form, these license documents should be issued as wallet-size plastic 
cards similar to airman certificates currently issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.  You also 
suggest that the current fee of sixty dollars to obtain a replacement license is excessive, considering the 
cost of producing a paper certificate.  Finally, you state that the documents should be sent to their holders 
electronically.
With respect to the format of the license documents, the current paper license consists of two 
parts:  one suitable for framing, and one wallet-size.  This is necessary because the operator is in some 
circumstances required to post his license.  Moreover, we note that the documents already suggest that the 
wallet-size version be laminated after signing.      
With respect to the fee for obtaining a replacement license, we note that the fee was established 
by Congress rather than the Commission, and must be regularly adjusted for inflation.  Licensees may 
obtain a new copy of their license documents without paying a fee, however, by simply printing out a 
Reference Copy from the Commission’s Universal Licensing System.
Finally, we note that license documents must be mailed to holders because not all holders have an 
e-mail account, and the Commission does not require them to do so.
Thank you again for your suggestions.
Sincerely,
Scot Stone
Deputy Chief, Mobility Division
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau