Same here, i need a refresher course on how the licence & callsign system work these days.
There are currently three levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. Each of these levels has a different prefix to identify the level: M6---, 2x0--- and M0---. The first two levels are gained by attending courses and taking a small exam at the end which is marked by the course tutor.
The Advanced is slightly different; you don't have to attend a course (but it helps!) and then there is an externally marked exam at the end which can now be taken either on-line or traditionally using a paper mark sheet. If you take it on-line then you will know your result almost immediately but paper based ones are posted off and you learn the result a week or two later.
One thing that surprised me was that when you go through the levels is that you can actually keep your previous callsigns and, presumably, use them if you want to. I find it hard to think of a reason to do so but there you go. Quite different from oh-so-many years ago when I passed my morse test and gained my Class A licence. My old Class B went into limbo somewhere and, when my wife recently passed the Advanced licence test, found that it wasn't available for her to take over so he had to apply for a "normal" M0.
All licences are for life now with no fee to pay BUT you have to validate them every five years or less. This can be done on-line or, if you must, by telephone. Ofcom are quite helpful on the phone it has to be said.
If any other hams are reading this - we are in need of a current Code Plug for the Retevis RT3s DMR for the Midlands or North Notts area if anybody can oblige please.
There are but I have absolutely no idea!