How to become an aircraft mechanic: the FAA path to an A&P

In the US, an aircraft mechanic's credential is a single FAA mechanic certificate with an Airframe rating, a Powerplant rating, or both, and holding both is what people mean by an "A&P" (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). Those are the only two mechanic ratings in Part 65 (14 CFR 65.73), and the FAA doesn't require you to get both (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). The route has the same basic shape for nearly everyone: qualify through a school or documented work experience, pass the written tests, then pass an oral test and a practical test (14 CFR 65.75) (14 CFR 65.79). Here it is step by step.

Step 1: Check the basic requirements

To be eligible for a mechanic certificate, you must (14 CFR 65.71(a)):

• be at least 18 years old;
• be able to read, write, speak and understand English (there is a narrow exception for some people employed outside the US by a US air carrier, whose certificate is then marked as valid only outside the US);
• pass all of the required tests within a period of 24 months; and
• meet the parts of Part 65, Subpart D that apply to the rating you want.

A few things people expect aren't on that list. The FAA sets no general education requirement, though some employers ask for a high school diploma or GED, and you don't need a medical certificate (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). The testing matrix shows no minimum age for the three mechanic knowledge tests (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, p. 6); the age of 18 is about being eligible for the certificate itself.

Step 2: Qualify through school or work experience

Before you can test, you have to show the FAA one of these (14 CFR 65.77):

• School: an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS), often called a Part 147 school (FAA: Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic).
• Experience for one rating: at least 18 months of practical experience with the tools, equipment and methods used to build, maintain or alter airframes or powerplants, matched to that rating.
• Experience for both ratings: at least 30 months of practical experience doing the work of both ratings at the same time.

The experience route runs on the calendar, measured against a normal 40-hour week, so long weeks don't shorten it. The FAA's own example is an apprentice who logged 3,120 hours in one year and still didn't qualify, because nothing less than 18 months counts (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). Time spent in training doesn't count either; the FAA wants proof that you actually did maintenance (FAA: Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic). Keep records from day one. Pay receipts for tasks, or logs signed by a certificated supervisor showing the hours, the work and the aircraft registration number, are the FAA's examples of acceptable evidence (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic).

Military maintenance work can count. Depending on your specialty, the FAA may credit it toward one or both ratings, but serving doesn't by itself authorize you to test, and only time spent working in the specialty counts, not time spent training for it (FAA: Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic).

The school route swaps time on the job for a structured program. The FAA says most Part 147 schools ask for a high school diploma or GED, and that finishing takes about 18 to 24 months depending on the ratings (FAA: Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic). We weigh the two routes against each other in Part 147 school or work experience.

Step 3: Get authorized to take the knowledge tests

On the experience route, you take two completed copies of FAA Form 8610-2 and all your evidence to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). An aviation safety inspector reviews it and, if it's enough, signs the form to authorize you to test. School graduates use their graduation certificate instead (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). The testing center accepts either of these, or a military certificate of eligibility, as your authorization (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, p. 6).

If you're still at a Part 147 school, you may be able to start early: the General written test can be taken before you meet the experience requirement if the school gives you an authenticated document showing you finished the General part of its curriculum, with the date (14 CFR 65.75(c)).

You also need an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), which you get by registering in IACRA, the FAA's online airman application system. The number stays with you through every test, and with it you register for the knowledge tests with PSI, the FAA's testing provider. One quirk: IACRA can't take mechanic certificate applications yet, so that application is still a paper form (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic).

Step 4: Pass the knowledge tests

There are three mechanic knowledge tests. You take General first, then Airframe, Powerplant or both (FAA: Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written Tests). The testing matrix sets the format (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, p. 6):

The questions are objective multiple choice (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic), and 70 percent is the minimum passing grade for each test (14 CFR 65.17(b)). They cover the subject areas in the FAA's Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for your rating (14 CFR 65.75(a)), and the FAA says many are based on its free Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbooks (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). You must pass each written test before applying for the oral and practical tests (14 CFR 65.75(b)). The exception is a Part 147 student whose school shows the FAA that the student has made satisfactory progress and is prepared for them: that student may take the oral and practical tests during the final subjects of their training (14 CFR 65.80).

Fail one, and you can retest once 30 days have passed since the failed attempt, or sooner with a signed statement from someone holding the certificate and rating you're after, saying they've given you more instruction in each failed subject and think you're ready (14 CFR 65.19). For a closer look at each test, see our guides to the General test, the Airframe test and the Powerplant test, and how hard the A&P tests are.

Step 5: The oral and practical tests

With the written tests passed, you book the oral and practical tests with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). Part 65 requires both, covering the knowledge, risk management and skill elements of the ACS for your rating (14 CFR 65.79). Your written results come with you: the oral includes questions on the topics behind the codes on your test reports plus questions picked at random, and you answer without reference material. In the practical part you complete projects and may use references for the questions asked along the way (Aviation Mechanic ACS, p. A-1). Our guide to the A&P oral and practical tests walks through that stage.

Step 6: Your certificate

After you pass the oral and practical tests, you're issued a temporary mechanic certificate (FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic). A temporary certificate lasts no more than 120 days while the FAA reviews your application and issues the permanent one (14 CFR 65.13). The mechanic certificate itself doesn't expire: it stays in effect until it is surrendered, suspended or revoked (14 CFR 65.15(a)).

Holding the certificate doesn't mean you may take on any job. You may only supervise or approve work you have done before (or have shown you can do), you must understand the current manufacturer's instructions and manuals for the task (14 CFR 65.81), and to keep using it you need recent experience (or an FAA finding that you can do the work) within the past 24 months (14 CFR 65.83). Our post on what an A&P mechanic can and can't do covers the details. If you start with one rating, you can add the other later by meeting its experience requirement and passing its written, oral and practical tests within 24 calendar months (14 CFR 65.71(b)); an added rating doesn't need the General test again (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, p. 6).

How long does it take?

On experience alone, the minimum is 18 months for one rating or 30 months for both (14 CFR 65.77). The FAA puts most Part 147 programs at 18 to 24 months (FAA: Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic). Then come the tests, and all of them must be passed within 24 months (14 CFR 65.71(a)(3)). Once you're authorized to test, how soon you finish depends mostly on how quickly you're ready for each test and can book it.

Getting ready for the written tests

If you'd like a structured way through the written tests, A&P Complete, our course for all three mechanic tests, is $49, paid once. It has 40 lessons, one for each ACS subject, explained practice questions and 15 timed mock exams for each test in the FAA's format. It is text-only practice, so it doesn't prepare you for questions that use images. The first lesson of each module is free, so you can start with the Mathematics lesson from the General module. For a study plan, read how to study for the A&P written tests.

Questions people ask

Do I need both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings?

No. The FAA issues one mechanic certificate with an Airframe rating, a Powerplant rating or both, and there is no requirement to get both. Holding both is what people call an A&P.

Do I have to go to an aviation maintenance school?

No. Under 14 CFR 65.77 you can qualify with documented practical experience instead: at least 18 months for one rating, or 30 months doing the work of both. Graduating from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school is the other way to qualify.

Do I need a medical certificate to become an aircraft mechanic?

No. The FAA says no medical certificate is needed, although some employers set their own physical or medical requirements.

How old do I have to be to get a mechanic certificate?

At least 18 to be eligible for the certificate (14 CFR 65.71). The FAA testing matrix lists no minimum age for the mechanic knowledge tests themselves.

Can I convert an aircraft maintenance license from another country?

No. The FAA says that even if another country issued you a similar license, you still have to meet the FAA eligibility requirements and pass the required tests.