Amateurs used to have a blanket exemption based on power alone. That went away on May 3, 2023. Every station is now tested against a formula instead — and most modest stations still pass it comfortably, which is worth knowing before you assume you have a problem.
What the test actually is
It compares your effective radiated power against a threshold that depends on your frequency and on how far away the nearest person can get. The threshold rises with the square of the distance, so separation buys headroom very quickly.
| Band | Threshold at 10 ft | at 30 ft | at 60 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 meters | 8,879 W | 79,907 W | 319,628 W |
| 80 meters | 2,279 W | 20,513 W | 82,052 W |
| 60 meters | 1,120 W | 10,078 W | 40,313 W |
| 40 meters | 627 W | 5,643 W | 22,570 W |
| 30 meters | 313 W | 2,814 W | 11,255 W |
| 20 meters | 160 W | 1,436 W | 5,743 W |
| 17 meters | 97.6 W | 879 W | 3,515 W |
| 15 meters | 71.1 W | 640 W | 2,561 W |
| 12 meters | 51.5 W | 464 W | 1,855 W |
| 10 meters | 38.5 W | 347 W | 1,386 W |
| 6 meters | 35.6 W | 320 W | 1,281 W |
| 2 meters | 35.6 W | 320 W | 1,281 W |
| 1.25 meters | 35.6 W | 320 W | 1,281 W |
| 70 centimeters | 52.3 W | 471 W | 1,884 W |
Figures are ERP — power referenced to a dipole, not to an isotropic radiator. If your antenna gain is published in dBi, subtract 2.15 before comparing. Mixing those two up is the most common mistake made with this table, and it makes a station look 64% stronger than it is. The test also only applies beyond the near-field boundary for the band.
Being exempt is not the same as being safe by accident
The exemption means no further evaluation is required of you. It does not mean the limits stopped existing. If you add an amplifier, put up a beam, or someone moves in closer, the answer can change — which is a good reason to know how much room you had.
Work out your own station in Exposure Forge — six questions, and it prints a dated record you can keep.