In recognition of international two-way amateur radio communication, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) issues Worked-All-Continents certificates to amateur radio stations of the world.

Qualification for the WAC award is based on an examination by the International Secretariat, or a member-society of the IARU, of QSL cards that the applicant has received from other amateur stations in each of the six continental areas of the world. All contacts must be made from the same country or separate territory within the same continental area of the world. All QSL cards (no photocopies) must show the mode and/or band for any endorsement applied for.

Contacts made on 10/18/24 MHz or via satellites are void for the 5-band certificate and 6-band endorsement. All contacts for the QRP endorsement must be made on or after January 1, 1985 while running a maximum power of 5 watts output or 10 watts input.

The following information should be helpful in determining the continental area of a station located adjacent to a continental boundary.

• North America includes Greenland (OX) and Panama (HP).
• South America includes Trinidad & Tobago (9Y), Aruba (P4), Curacao & Bonaire (PJ2-4) and Easter Island (CE0).
• Oceania includes Minami Torishima (JD1), Philippines (DU), East Malaysia (9M6-8) and Indonesia (YB).
• Asia includes Ogasawara Islands (JD1), Maldives (8Q), Socotra Island (7O), Abu Ail Island (J2/A), Cyprus (5B, ZC4), Eastern Turkey (TA2-8) and Georgia (UF).
• Europe includes the fourth and sixth call areas of Russia (UA4-6), Istanbul (TA1), all Italian islands (I) and Azores (CU).
• Africa includes Ceuta & Melilla (EA9), Madeira (CT3), Gan Island (8Q), French Austral Territory (FT) and Heard Island (VK0).

Applicants in South Africa must be members of the South African Radio League, which is affiliated with the IARU. After completing the application form, the applicant must send the form, the QSL cards and a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to the SARL Awards Manager (PO Box 1721, Strubensvallei, 1735) for verification. The verified application form is then posted, with funds to cover return postage (± $3.00), to the following address: Eileen Sapko, Awards Manager, ARRL, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111, USA.

The application form can be downloaded here (pdf format).