# Flashing light for renwal **URL:** \ **Category:** California Maritime\ **Created:** [January 15, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383 "2013-01-15T15:37:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SeaScoundrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@SeaScoundrel](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaScoundrel)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/1 "2013-01-15T15:37:40Z")
I’m new to living in the bay area and am in need of taking flashing light to renew my license. Does anyone know if I can get this knocked out at CMA or know who to contact there to set this up? I know you can do it at TMA no problem, I figured Cal would have a similar set up. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![dredgeboater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@dredgeboater](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dredgeboater)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/2 "2013-01-15T17:01:28Z")
Last time I had to look it up there were no schools that offered it between San Diego, CA and Portland, OR. I ended up doing it in Portland during a trip up there along with RADAR renewal. CMA only was approved through the academy side not their continuing education. You could try and contact them though and see if they offer it now. I believe it is called CMA Extended Learning now. ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/3 "2013-01-16T05:11:48Z")
[QUOTE=SeaScoundrel;94808]I’m new to living in the bay area and am in need of taking flashing light to renew my license. Does anyone know if I can get this knocked out at CMA or know who to contact there to set this up? I know you can do it at TMA no problem, I figured Cal would have a similar set up. Thanks.[/QUOTE] You do not need flashing light to renew a license. You need it to upgrade (for unlimited licenses). ---
**Author:** ![dredgeboater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@dredgeboater](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dredgeboater)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 6:59am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/4 "2013-01-16T06:59:00Z")
Very true. Skipped over the renew part. ---
**Author:** ![SeaScoundrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@SeaScoundrel](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaScoundrel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 8:52am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/5 "2013-01-16T08:52:55Z")
It’ll be a renewal/upgrade on an unlimited license, so I’m still stuck with having to take the test. I was hoping there was a place a little closer to home. ---
**Author:** ![Pikuptruk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5a626/32.png) [@Pikuptruk](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Pikuptruk)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/6 "2013-01-17T04:18:25Z")
You may be able to take it at the REC in Oakland… The NMC website usually has lists of available locations for various tests… ---
**Author:** ![dredgeboater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@dredgeboater](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dredgeboater)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 8:41am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/7 "2013-01-17T08:41:22Z")
> [@"Pikuptruk"](#): > > You may be able to take it at the REC in Oakland… The NMC website usually has lists of available locations for various tests… RECs have not offered flashing light exams for 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![injunear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e95f7d/32.png) [@injunear](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/injunear)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 9:13am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/8 "2013-01-17T09:13:47Z")
[QUOTE=dredgeboater;95057]RECs have not offered flashing light exams for 4 years.[/QUOTE] What do the schools charge for the flashing light exam now? Seems like a rip-off when a computer generated test would be so easy to administer at the RECs. Years ago, my FCC morse code tests were generated on the old Instructograph machines. On 2 occasions, I have witnessed two CG examiners that lacked mechanical skills to operate these machines. ---
**Author:** ![dredgeboater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@dredgeboater](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dredgeboater)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 9:22am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/9 "2013-01-17T09:22:48Z")
> [@"injunear"](#): > > What do the schools charge for the flashing light exam now? Seems like a rip-off when a computer generated test would be so easy to administer at the RECs. > > Years ago, my FCC morse code tests were generated on the old Instructograph machines. On 2 occasions, I have witnessed two CG examiners that lacked mechanical skills to operate these machines. Depends on the school. I want to say the last time I had to do it I looked at PMI and it was $200 or so. Took it at a smaller school, Columbia Pacific Maritime in Portland, OR and I think it was $100. ---
**Author:** ![New3M](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/new3m/32/394_2.png) [@New3M](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/New3M)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 9:52am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/flashing-light-for-renwal/9383/10 "2013-01-17T09:52:43Z")
New York Maritime is $100. Houston Maritime in New Orleans charges $300 for the test, $400 if you need the ‘class,’ whatever the hell that is.