What Is an A&P License?

An FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe (A) and Powerplant (P) ratings — commonly called an A&P — authorizes you to maintain, repair, and alter aircraft in the United States under 14 CFR Part 43, and to approve aircraft for return to service with a signed logbook entry. The certificate is issued by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D. Without a certificated mechanic, no aircraft in the US can legally return to service after maintenance or alterations.

The A&P is recognized worldwide as a mark of technical competence in aviation maintenance. A&P mechanics inspect, repair, modify, and certify aircraft across every category — from small single-engine piston aircraft at flight schools to large turbine-powered airliners at major airlines. The certification process is rigorous by design: public safety depends on the competence and integrity of every mechanic who signs an aircraft off for return to service.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

Before you can begin the certification process, the FAA requires you to meet several foundational eligibility criteria under 14 CFR §65.71:

Minimum age — You must be at least 18 years old at the time of certification. There is no maximum age limit.
Language proficiency — You must be able to read, write, and understand English, and speak it to the extent necessary to perform your duties. English is the language of aviation maintenance documentation in the US.
Education — You must have completed secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent). Post-secondary education in aviation or engineering technology is highly advantageous but not mandatory.
Experience or training — You must meet the experience requirements of 14 CFR §65.73 (18 months for one rating, 30 months for both) or graduate from an FAA-approved Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school.
Examinations — You must pass the FAA written (knowledge) tests and the oral and practical (O&P) exam.

These requirements ensure that every candidate entering the certification process has the fundamental capacity to handle the technical and regulatory demands of the profession. Meeting these prerequisites is just the first milestone on a journey that typically takes one to four years depending on your path.

Step 2: Choose Your Path — Part 147 School or On-the-Job Experience

The FAA offers two pathways to qualify for the A&P certificate. Your choice depends on your circumstances, location, and learning preferences:

Path A: FAA-Approved Part 147 School

Graduating from an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) under 14 CFR Part 147 is the most structured route. Part 147 schools — including Spartan College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, and many community colleges — combine classroom instruction in General, Airframe, and Powerplant subjects with extensive hands-on shop work. Programs typically run 18 to 24 months.

The major advantage of the school path is that your graduation certificate substitutes for the practical experience requirement. Graduates can apply for testing immediately after completing the program, which dramatically accelerates the path to certification. Part 147 schools must meet FAA curriculum and facility standards, and their graduates are prepared specifically for the FAA written and O&P exams. For help choosing a program, see our guide to the best A&P schools in the US.

Path B: On-the-Job Experience

The experience path involves working in aircraft maintenance and documenting your practical experience. Under 14 CFR §65.73, you need at least 18 months of practical experience for a single rating (Airframe or Powerplant) and 30 months for both ratings. Your experience must include a broad range of tasks: inspection, repair, troubleshooting, and use of maintenance manuals and approved data.

Experience can be gained at Part 145 repair stations, airline maintenance bases, general aviation shops, flight schools, and even in military aviation maintenance — many veterans apply their documented military maintenance time toward the FAA experience requirement. While this path takes longer, you earn while you learn and build industry connections along the way. Some candidates combine both approaches: completing a Part 147 program to build theory and hands-on skills, then working as a mechanic while preparing for the exams.

Step 3: Get Your FAA Form 8610-2 Signed Off

Before you can take the written tests, you must obtain an eligibility endorsement on FAA Form 8610-2, Application for Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate and/or Rating. This form is the gateway to testing. You complete it with your personal information and evidence of your experience or training, then present it to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) at your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) — or to an authorized examiner — who verifies your eligibility and endorses the form.

Part 147 graduates bring their graduation certificate. Experience-based candidates bring a detailed log of their maintenance experience, ideally organized by the task areas in the FAA's Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS). The 8610-2 endorsement is valid for 24 months from the date it is signed — plan your test schedule so you complete all three written tests and the oral and practical exam within that window.

Step 4: Pass the Three FAA Written Tests

The written examination phase is where most candidates invest the bulk of their study time. You must pass three FAA knowledge tests, each drawn from the FAA's published test question bank and the Aviation Mechanic ACS:

General (AM.I) — 60 questions, 2 hours, 70% passing. Basic electricity, aircraft drawings, weight and balance, materials and processes, physics, inspection fundamentals, and FAA regulations.
Airframe (AM.II) — 100 questions, 2 hours, 70% passing. Airframe structures, sheet metal and composite repair, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, landing gear, flight controls, fuel systems, and cabin systems.
Powerplant (AM.III) — 100 questions, 2 hours, 70% passing. Reciprocating and turbine engine theory, fuel metering, ignition and starting, lubrication, propellers, and engine instrument systems.

The pass mark for all three tests is 70%. Tests are computer-based and administered at FAA-approved knowledge testing centers operated by PSI. If you fail a test, you must wait at least 30 days before retaking it under 14 CFR Part 65. For a detailed breakdown of each test's structure, question counts, and pacing strategy, see our FAA A&P written test structure guide.

Many candidates find that using an AI-powered exam preparation platform like Sky License's AI study tools significantly improves their readiness. Adaptive learning algorithms identify weak areas, generate practice questions at calibrated difficulty levels, and provide instant feedback — dramatically accelerating the learning process compared to traditional textbook study alone.

Step 5: Log Your Practical Experience

If you are pursuing the experience path, the FAA requires documented practical maintenance experience before you can be certified. For both ratings, the minimum is 30 months of hands-on experience; a single rating requires 18 months. Graduates of Part 147 schools are exempt from this requirement because their training substitutes for experience.

The key experience areas you must demonstrate competence in include:

Inspection and testing — Performing scheduled and unscheduled inspections, interpreting inspection findings, and determining airworthiness.
Repair and alteration — Executing structural repairs, component replacements, and approved alterations in accordance with manufacturer specifications, AC 43.13-1B, and approved data.
Troubleshooting and diagnostics — Systematic fault finding using technical manuals, schematic diagrams, and diagnostic equipment.
Record-keeping and certification — Completing maintenance records, logbook entries, and Form 337 major repair/alteration paperwork in compliance with 14 CFR Part 43.
Return to service — Signing off completed work in the aircraft logbook as prescribed by 14 CFR §43.9.

Your experience log is one of the most important documents in your career. It serves as the primary evidence of your experience when your eligibility is reviewed on FAA Form 8610-2. Keep meticulous records, organize your experience by the task areas of the Aviation Mechanic ACS, and have supervising mechanics or your employer confirm your entries.

Step 6: Pass the Oral and Practical Exam

After passing your written tests, you must pass an oral and practical (O&P) examination administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) — an experienced mechanic authorized by the FAA to conduct these tests. This is the final and often most challenging hurdle in the certification process.

The O&P is based on the FAA's Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS) — AM.I for General, AM.II for Airframe, and AM.III for Powerplant. The examiner selects specific subject areas from the ACS and evaluates you orally (questions about theory, regulations, and troubleshooting) and practically (hands-on projects such as fabricating a sheet metal repair, rigging a flight control, timing a magneto, or inspecting a component).

The examiner evaluates your technique, safety awareness, reference to approved data, and compliance with regulations. Unlike the written tests, which are multiple choice, the O&P requires you to articulate your reasoning clearly and demonstrate genuine understanding — not just recognition of correct answers. You must complete the O&P within 24 months of passing your written tests, or the written credit expires.

Preparation for this stage is critical. Study the ACS subject areas thoroughly, review the FAA handbooks (FAA-H-8083-30B General, -31B Airframe, -32B Powerplant), practice using AC 43.13-1B, and consider doing mock oral exams with experienced A&P mechanics. The more scenarios you have thought through in advance, the more confident you will be when facing the examiner.

Step 7: Get Your FAA Mechanic Certificate

Once you have passed all three written tests and the oral and practical exam, and have met the experience or training requirements, the DME issues your FAA mechanic certificate with the Airframe and Powerplant ratings on the spot — or, in some cases, the FAA mails it after processing. The certificate is valid for life and does not require periodic renewal as long as you comply with the privileges and limitations of 14 CFR Part 65.

Once certificated, you are authorized to perform and approve maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on aircraft under Part 43 — a significant professional responsibility and a major career milestone. Many mechanics later pursue an Inspection Authorization (IA) under 14 CFR §65.91, which requires three years of experience as an A&P and a written test, and allows performing annual inspections and approving major repairs and alterations.

A&P Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The demand for certificated A&P mechanics in the US remains exceptionally strong. Boeing's Pilot and Technician Outlook projects the global aviation industry will need more than 700,000 new maintenance technicians by 2043, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 14,000-15,000 openings for aircraft mechanics each year through 2033. Airlines, cargo carriers, MROs, flight schools, and corporate flight departments all compete for certificated A&P talent.

Salary expectations vary by region, employer type, and experience. Entry-level A&P mechanics typically earn between $22 and $30 per hour ($45,000-$62,000 annually). Experienced A&P mechanics commonly earn $28 to $38 per hour ($65,000-$78,000), while senior mechanics and leads at major airlines and cargo carriers can earn $45-$60 per hour or more. A&P mechanics with Inspection Authorization (IA) generally command a premium. For the full breakdown, see our A&P mechanic salary guide.

Beyond base pay, many A&P mechanics receive shift premiums, overtime pay, travel allowances, and comprehensive benefits packages. The career also offers international mobility — the FAA A&P is respected worldwide, and US experience is highly valued by airlines and MROs on every continent.

How Sky License Helps You Prepare

Sky License is an AI-powered study platform built specifically for the FAA A&P written tests. Unlike generic study tools, our platform is engineered around the Aviation Mechanic ACS and the FAA test question bank structure, ensuring complete coverage of every topic you will encounter on exam day.

Full coverage of all three tests — General, Airframe, and Powerplant are each mapped to ACS subject areas with dedicated practice questions and explanations.
Adaptive difficulty — The AI adjusts question difficulty in real time based on your performance. Master one topic, and it shifts focus to your weaker areas — ensuring efficient use of study time.
Real exam simulations — Timed practice exams replicate the actual FAA testing environment (60 questions/2h for General, 100 questions/2h for Airframe and Powerplant), building speed and confidence before the real test.
AI Tutor — Get instant explanations of complex topics in plain language. Ask questions naturally and receive exam-focused answers that reference the FAA handbooks and ACS.
Progress tracking — Detailed analytics show your performance across every subject area and learning objective. You always know exactly where you stand and what needs more work.

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How to Get Your FAA A&P License