really i think the easiest way to determine is by checking out where ure buying it from, the handies tat requires license like yaesu, icom or a motorola gp338plus canot be found in any shops wan as sellers also hav their restrictions for the licensed sets, they'd probably nt sell to u if u dun even hav a basic knowledge of amatuer radio. So if ure buying it frm shops, worry not, those dun need license