How to Get Your A&P License: A Step-by-Step Guide to FAA Certification


If you have ever dreamt of a career where you hold the safety of hundreds of passengers in your hands, becoming a certified aircraft technician is one of the most fulfilling paths you can take. The "gold standard" for this profession is the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this certification proves you have the technical knowledge and practical skills to maintain, repair, and inspect aircraft.

Navigating the certification process can seem daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the journey clear. Whether you are coming from a mechanical background or starting from scratch, here is exactly how to earn your A&P license and unlock a high-paying career in aviation.

Step 1: Meet the Basic FAA Eligibility Requirements

Before you dive into the technical training, the FAA requires all applicants to meet a set of baseline criteria. You do not need a college degree to become a mechanic, but you must satisfy these conditions:

  • Age: You must be at least 18 years old to receive the certificate (though you can begin training earlier).

  • Language: You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language fluently, as all technical manuals and safety regulations are written in English.

  • Education: While not strictly mandated by the FAA for the license itself, most employers and schools require a high school diploma or GED.

Step 2: Choose Your Training Pathway

There are three primary ways to gain the "practical experience" required by the FAA to sit for your exams. Your choice will depend on your current lifestyle, budget, and how quickly you want to enter the workforce.

Path A: FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (Part 147)

Attending a Part 147 school is the most popular route. These technical colleges or trade schools offer a structured curriculum that typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete.

  • Pros: You get a mix of classroom theory and hands-on shop time. Graduates often bypass the need to document individual work hours because the school’s graduation certificate serves as proof of eligibility.

  • Curriculum: You will complete roughly 1,900 hours of training covering general aviation concepts, airframe structures, and powerplant (engine) systems.

Path B: On-the-Job Training (OJT)

If you prefer to earn while you learn, you can work under the supervision of a licensed mechanic.

  • Experience Required: You must document 18 months of practical experience for a single rating (either Airframe or Powerplant) or 30 months of concurrent experience for both.

  • Documentation: You must keep a meticulous logbook of every task you perform, signed off by your supervisor, to prove to the FAA that you have mastered the required skills.

Path C: Military Experience

Former service members who worked in aviation maintenance (such as crew chiefs or engine technicians) can often transition their military skills to a civilian license. The FAA evaluates your military specialty code and training records to determine if you meet the requirements.

Step 3: Obtain Your FAA Authorization to Test

Once you have completed your training or logged your hours, you must prove your eligibility to the FAA.

  1. Form 8610-2: You will fill out two copies of the "Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application."

  2. The FSDO Interview: You will meet with an FAA inspector at a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). They will review your logbooks or school certificates and ask technical questions to verify your experience.

  3. Authorization: If approved, the inspector will sign your forms, giving you the "green light" to schedule your exams.

Step 4: Pass the Knowledge (Written) Tests

The testing phase begins with three computer-based, multiple-choice exams. You must score at least a 70% on each.

  • General Test: Covers the fundamentals like math, physics, electricity, and FAA regulations.

  • Airframe Test: Focuses on the "body" of the aircraft—hydraulics, sheet metal, landing gear, and cabin systems.

  • Powerplant Test: Focuses on the engines—reciprocating engines, turbines, propellers, and lubrication systems.

Step 5: The Final Hurdle—Oral and Practical (O&P) Exams

The most rigorous part of the process is the Oral and Practical exam, administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). This is a one-on-one assessment that can last a full day.

  • Oral Exam: The examiner will ask you verbal questions to test your theoretical understanding of maintenance procedures and safety.

  • Practical Exam: You will be given hands-on projects, such as safety-wiring a bolt, timing a magneto, or inspecting a flight control cable. You must demonstrate that you can use the correct tools and follow the technical manuals to the letter.

Step 6: Receive Your Temporary Certificate

Once you pass the O&P, the examiner will issue you a temporary airman certificate. This document is valid for 120 days and allows you to start working as a certified A&P mechanic immediately. Your permanent plastic license will arrive in the mail from the FAA shortly after.

Summary Checklist for Success

MilestoneRequirementTypical Timeframe
TrainingSchool or OJT18 - 30 Months
FAA InterviewForm 8610-2 Approval1 Day
Written Exams3 Tests (General, Airframe, Powerplant)1 - 2 Weeks
O&P ExamHands-on & Verbal Assessment1 Day

Getting your A&P license is a significant commitment, but it is a "license to learn" that offers incredible job security and the potential for a six-figure salary. As the aviation industry continues to grow, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and keep the world flying.


Ultimate Guide to Aviation Mechanic Salary: How Much Can You Earn in Aircraft Maintenance?



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