Frequently Asked Questions

In order to prepare for the ROC-A exam, it is recommended that you study the Radio Information Circular 21 (RIC-21) Study Guide for the Restricted Operator Certificate With Aeronautical Qualification (ROC-A). You can search for an examiner in your area from the Accredited Examiners page. The ROC-A examination may consist of written, practical, and oral exercises.  Accredited examiners may charge a fee in order to recover the cost of administering an examination.

The examiner is to email the temporary certificate request by providing the new certificate confirmation number to the Radio Operator Certificate Service Centre.  The certificate will be produced and sent to you by fax or email and the original copy of your certificate will be sent by mail.

To become an Accredited Examiner one must hold a ROC-A.  RIC-20 Guide for Examiners Conducting Examinations for the Radiotelephone Operator's Restricted Certificate (Aeronautical) is the document that gives information for Accredited Examiners. Please submit an application to become an accredited examiner which can be found on the Accredited Examiners page.

You will then be contacted by an Industry Canada Spectrum Management Officer to schedule a briefing session.  Please review the RIC-20 as well as RIC-21 Study Guide for the Restricted Operator Certificate With Aeronautical Qualification (ROC-A) before your briefing. Once your briefing session is completed and the officer has approved you as an accredited examiner, you will receive an examiner package and authorization letter from the Radio Operator Certificate Service Centre (ROCSC).

You may submit a request to have your certificate reprinted and mailed to you from the Professional Radio Operators Services page. If you have not already created a user account you can do so from the My Account page.

Please mail us the following items for review of your GOC renewal:

1. Full name, current mailing address, and phone number
2. 2 citizenship-style photos (1" by 1¼" or 2.54cm by 3.18cm), signed on the back.
3. Proof of continued professional competency during the preceding 5 years, to be established and verified by:
1. Approved seagoing service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held, for a period of at least 12 months; or
2. 12 months of service on board a ship as a master or mate in charge of the watch; or
3. 24 months of service performing radio communication related functions in a marine related position such as:
1. shore captain, marine superintendent or operations manager, who is in the employment of a ship owner/ship agent
2. a marine surveyor engaged in duties related to the survey or inspection of ships or ships' equipment or cargoes
3. an instructor or training officer in nautical subjects at a recognized institute
4. a radio technician engaged in the maintenance of modern radio apparatus
4. Having successfully completed a refresher course or challenge exam.
4. A copy of your current GOC.

Once your information is received and approved, a new GOC will be mailed to you.

Please notify the Radio Operator Certificate Service Centre (ROCSC) by email at spectrum.certificates@ic.gc.ca of the lost certificate.  To issue a replacement GOC, please mail us a copy of identification (Government issued ID with name, date of birth and mailing address) and 2 citizenship style photos signed on the back to the ROCSC. The Centre will review the information and a new certificate will be mailed to you.

A list of accredited institutions to train and examine candidates for the GOC is provided on the Accredited Institutions for GOC Training and Assessment page.

The accredited institutions offer the ROC-MC and GOC course which is usually given in two separate weeks. The ROC-MC training is done in the first week of the course and the second week is the material for the GOC/GMDSS.  Therefore, if you have not completed the second week of training, please contact an Institute listed on the Accredited Institutions for GOC Training and Assessment page.

An applicant who currently holds a valid GOC is eligible to be issued a ROC-MC.  Please email your request to the Radio Operator Certificate Service Centre (ROCSC) at spectrum.certificates@ic.gc.ca and include your full name, date of birth and current mailing address.

No, a ROC-MC is also a valid certificate for the operation of a VHF radio installed on a pleasure craft.

A list of accredited institutions to train and examine candidates for the ROC-MC is provided on the Accredited Institutions for ROC-MC Examinations page.

The ROCSC does not issue or replace ROC-M's. The Minister has delegated the authority to the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) in 2000 to issue or amend Radio Operator Certificates - Maritime. You can contact CPS by email at hqg@cps-ecp.ca or telephone (416) 293-2438 / 1-888-277-2628.  The Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons website is www.cps-ecp.ca.