For many years, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) required radio stations to have a licensed station operator on duty at all times.  This was usually either an engineer with a first class radiotelephone license or an announcer with a third class radiotelephone license.  The operator was responsible for checking the condition of  transmitters at regular intervals and taking corrective action if there was a malfunction.

Prior to FCC deregulation in the 1980's, many announcers had a license similar to the one shown below.  Obtaining a license required taking a lengthy test at an FCC field office in Philadelphia, Baltimore, or some other large city.

What makes the license below unusual is that I received it just after my 11th birthday.  I passed the test on my first attempt in 1975.  (I was told later that it was not unusual for adults to take the test more than once.)  I was incredibly nervous going into the Philadelphia field office on that July day, and equally as elated coming out.

While I was never able to prove whether I was the youngest person in the country to be a licensed radio station operator, it is likely that I was among the youngest since few people had the opportunity to work at a radio station at such a young age.  In my case, the station was non-commercial, church-owned, volunteer-operated WMSP.  Thanks to the support of my parents and the kindness of several station volunteers (particularly Carol Lupkie of Harrisburg), my childhood hobby became a broadcasting career spanning more than 30 years.

Radiotelephone licenses were issued for five-year periods.  At the end of the term, licenses had to be returned to the FCC for renewal.  When a new license was granted, the commission returned the expired license with a cancellation stamp.