Term and renewal
US amateur licenses run ten years. You may renew in the 90 days before expiry, and there is a two-year grace period afterwards during which the license is expired — you may not transmit, but you may renew without retesting. After the grace period, you start over with an exam.
Renewal is done through the FCC ULS with your CORES login and costs $35.
Address changes
Your mailing address must be current. Update it in the ULS the same week you move — this is free, takes five minutes, and undeliverable mail can cost you the license.
Name changes
Update through the ULS. Your call sign does not change.
Set a reminder now
Ten years is long enough that most lapsed licenses are simple forgetfulness. Put the expiry date in a calendar, and enable email notifications in CORES.
Silent keys
When an operator dies, the family should notify the FCC to cancel the license. Clubs frequently apply for the call sign afterwards as a memorial club station.