Get an amateur radio or citizen band (CB) radio licence
Communications Authority of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Fill CA's amateur radio form (CA-F-FSM-02) or citizen band form (CA-F-FSM-24), attach a sworn affidavit with your ID copies and your exam certificate (amateur) or equipment details (CB), and send it to CA's Frequency Spectrum Management office. The amateur licence is KSh 2,000 a year; family radios on 446.0-446.1 MHz need no licence.
- Fee
- KSh 2,000Radio amateur licence, annual fee per station per frequencyKSh 1,000Citizen band radio application feeKSh 500Citizen band radio type-approval/acceptance fee (non-refundable)
- Where
- Frequency Spectrum Management, 1st Floor, CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi (forms on the CA website)
What you need
- Amateur: certificate of a recognized radio amateur exam, or your current valid licence
- Kenyans: sworn affidavit with clear copies of your national ID or passport
- Foreigners: notarised passport copy showing your Kenyan visa
- CB: a sample of the radio with accessories, plus its technical manuals
- CB: copies of your ID or passport and KRA PIN certificate, through a sworn affidavit
Steps
- Download the form from the CA forms page: CA-F-FSM-02 for amateur radio or CA-F-FSM-24 for citizen band.
- Swear an affidavit before a commissioner for oaths attaching clear copies of your ID or passport.
- Pay the fees by mobile money or bank transfer. CA does not take cash.
- Send the completed form to the Director, Frequency Spectrum Management, 1st Floor, CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi. Questions: fsm@ca.go.ke.
Watch out
- Family radios (walkie-talkies) on 446.0-446.1 MHz need no licence. Other bands do.
- A club licence needs you to already be licensed, plus two other licensed members.
- Using a radio transmitter without a CA licence is not allowed, and the licence must be renewed by paying every year.
Who can apply
- Full amateur licence: you must hold a HAREC certificate or its equivalent.
- Amateur licences come as Foundation, Intermediate, Club, Temporary or Full, each with its own exam level.
- CB licence: for anyone using low power radios in the 26925-27403 kHz band.
Official sources (5)
- License Application Forms & Fees ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing Procedures ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Amateur Radio Station Licence Application Form (CA-F-FSM-02) ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Application for Individual Authority to use Citizen Band Radio Communication Equipment (CA-F-FSM-24) ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Frequency Spectrum Fee Schedule Effective July 2018 ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026