I would presume you have, or had, a third class FCC license. If so, then it would not then, or now, authorize you to operate an amateur radio transmitter. To do so you have to take and pass an FCC written licensing exam of which there are three; technician, general and extra classes. Technician is the entry class and each successive class permits or allows operation on a greater range of frequencies.
If you are interested in becoming a HAM (I hope you are for it is a great hobby) you might call your local emergency management official to ask if there is a local club and point of contact. If you know a local HAM, then ask them. Absent this, go to www.arrl.org and try to navigate their web page for information about local clubs. If you send me your location off list and via Freep mail, perhaps I can point you in the right direction.
No, never had to take tests..so am sure I am not qualified to transmit n HAM.. And, have been interested in HAM for many years, just that I am stuck in Japan (so no idea where to go or what to do to take the test).. .. :/