FAA A&P License Timeline: How Long It Really Takes

The Short Answer

For most candidates, the total time to earn an FAA A&P certificate ranges from 1.5 to 4 years, depending on your chosen pathway. Here is the breakdown at a glance:

These timelines assume you are studying for and passing your FAA written tests while completing your training or accumulating experience — a strategy that saves significant time compared to completing all testing after your experience is done.

Step-by-Step Timeline Breakdown

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements — 0 to 1 month

The FAA's eligibility requirements under 14 CFR §65.71 are minimal: you must be at least 18 years old and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. There is no medical certificate requirement for A&P mechanics and no background check for the initial certificate. Most candidates can confirm their eligibility in a matter of days.

While waiting, you can begin familiarizing yourself with the structure of the three FAA written tests and the general flow of the certification process. The earlier you understand what is ahead, the smoother each subsequent step will be.

Step 2: Complete Training or Start Gaining Experience — 18 to 30+ months

This is the longest phase of the certification process, and your choice here makes the biggest difference to your total timeline.

Part 147 School Pathway: 18 to 24 months

FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (Part 147) offer programs that typically run 18 to 24 months. These programs combine classroom instruction in General, Airframe, and Powerplant subjects with hands-on shop work, and they align their curriculum with the FAA test question bank and the Aviation Mechanic ACS. Institutions like Spartan College, Embry-Riddle, and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics all offer approved programs. The major advantage of this route: your graduation certificate substitutes for the entire practical experience requirement, so you can begin testing immediately after graduation.

On-the-Job Experience Pathway: 30 months

If you go directly into aircraft maintenance work, 14 CFR §65.73 requires a minimum of 30 months of documented practical experience for both ratings (18 months for a single Airframe or Powerplant rating). During this time you work in a maintenance environment — a Part 145 repair station, an airline base, a GA shop, or a flight school — and document your experience across the task areas of the ACS. While the total clock time is longer, you are earning a salary from day one rather than paying tuition.

For a full breakdown of each pathway and how to choose between them, see our A&P mechanic career guide.

Step 3: Get Your 8610-2 Endorsement and Pass Written Tests — 3 to 9 months (can run concurrently)

The three FAA written tests — General (60 questions), Airframe (100 questions), and Powerplant (100 questions) — are often taken DURING the training or experience phase rather than after it. This is the single most important time-saving strategy available to A&P candidates.

To begin testing, you first need your FAA Form 8610-2 endorsed by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector at a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) — a straightforward eligibility review that takes days to a few weeks depending on office availability. The endorsement is valid for 24 months, which is also how long your written test credit lasts.

Each test requires focused study time. Candidates using traditional textbook methods typically spend 4 to 8 weeks per test, meaning completing all three could take 4 to 6 months. However, candidates using adaptive study tools often compress this timeline significantly:

• General Test — Broad but shallow across many topics (electricity, drawings, weight & balance, materials). Expect 4 to 6 weeks of dedicated study for most candidates.
• Airframe Test — Broad technical scope (structures, systems, hydraulics, landing gear). 6 to 10 weeks.
• Powerplant Test — Engine theory and maintenance, both reciprocating and turbine. 6 to 10 weeks.

By studying concurrently with your training or work experience, you can complete all three tests within 3 to 9 months. Platforms like Sky License's AI-powered exam preparation help candidates complete tests faster by identifying weak areas and focusing study time where it matters most.

For pass rates and difficulty levels across each test, see our FAA A&P written test pass rates analysis.

Step 4: Log Practical Experience — 18 to 30 months (experience path only)

As discussed in Step 2, your practical experience period runs concurrently with or after your training. The key point is that the FAA requires a minimum of 30 months of experience for both ratings (or 18 months for one rating) for candidates who did not attend a Part 147 school. Your experience must be documented and organized by the task areas of the Aviation Mechanic ACS.

For detailed guidance on documenting your experience properly, see our maintenance experience documentation guide.

Step 5: Oral and Practical Exam — 1 to 3 months preparation

Once you have passed all three written tests, you must pass an oral and practical (O&P) examination with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). This is often described as the most demanding part of the certification process because it tests applied knowledge and real-world competence, not just textbook recall.

Most candidates spend 1 to 3 months preparing specifically for this exam. Preparation involves reviewing the Aviation Mechanic ACS subject areas, running through mock oral scenarios, and practising common maintenance tasks under simulated exam conditions. Scheduling the exam itself depends on DME availability in your region — typically 2 to 8 weeks out.

Step 6: Certificate Issuance — Same day to 2 weeks

Here is one of the best parts of the FAA process: once you pass the O&P, the DME issues your mechanic certificate on the spot — or it is mailed to you within a couple of weeks. There is no lengthy application review or additional processing period. Your certificate is valid for life and never needs renewal.

How to Accelerate Your Timeline

While the certification process has regulatory minimums, several strategies can help you move through each phase faster:

• Start studying for tests early — Do not wait until you have finished your training or experience. Begin studying for the General test during your first months of school or work, then tackle Airframe and Powerplant as your knowledge grows.
• Use adaptive study tools — Traditional textbook study is slow and inefficient. Adaptive platforms like Sky License focus your time on the specific topics where you need the most practice, cutting study time by 40-60% compared to self-study with textbooks alone.
• Choose the Part 147 school pathway — While school takes 18-24 months of upfront time, graduating exempts you from the 30-month experience requirement, cutting your total timeline by roughly a year compared to the pure experience route.
• Parallel-track everything — Study for written tests while logging experience or attending school. Get your 8610-2 endorsed as soon as you are eligible. Schedule your O&P immediately after passing your last written test.
• Prepare for the O&P early — Start running practice scenarios with experienced A&P mechanics at your workplace as soon as you begin. The more familiar you are with O&P expectations, the less dedicated prep time you will need at the end.

Real-World Example Timelines

Scenario A: Part 147 School Graduate — ~2 years

• Months 1-20: Complete full-time Part 147 program at a school like Spartan or Embry-Riddle
• Months 12-22: Begin studying for and passing written tests (General, then Airframe and Powerplant)
• Month 21: Get 8610-2 endorsed with graduation certificate
• Months 22-24: Oral and practical exam preparation and testing with a DME
• Month 24: Certificate issued on the spot

Total: ~2 years — includes overlap between school and test study.

Scenario B: Full On-the-Job Experience — ~3.5 years

• Months 1-30: Full-time maintenance work at a Part 145 repair station or GA shop, documenting experience
• Months 6-32: Study for and pass all three written tests during employment
• Month 30: 8610-2 endorsed with documented 30 months of experience
• Months 32-36: Oral and practical exam preparation and testing
• Month 36: Certificate issued

Total: ~3 years — drawn out by the full 30-month experience requirement, but accelerated by parallel test study.

Scenario C: Military Veteran — ~2.5 years

• Months 1-30: Documented military aviation maintenance experience (many veterans already exceed 30 months)
• Months 1-6: Prepare for and pass all three written tests after separation
• Month 6: 8610-2 endorsed with military experience documentation
• Months 6-8: Oral and practical exam preparation and testing
• Month 8: Certificate issued

Total: ~8 months after separation — the fastest path for candidates with extensive military maintenance time.

Factors That Can Delay Your Timeline

Being aware of common delays helps you plan around them:

• Testing center availability — PSI knowledge testing center slots vary by region. In high-demand areas, you may need to book tests 2-4 weeks in advance.
• Test failures — If you fail a written test, you must wait 30 days before retaking it under 14 CFR Part 65. Multiple failures can add months to your timeline. Thorough preparation is essential.
• 8610-2 documentation issues — FAA inspectors may reject incomplete or improperly documented experience logs. Have your experience documentation reviewed by an experienced A&P before visiting the FSDO.
• DME availability — Designated Mechanic Examiner schedules vary by region. In some areas, the wait for an O&P appointment can be 4-8 weeks.
• Written test credit expiring — Your written test credit is valid for 24 months. If you let it lapse, you must retake the written tests before attempting the O&P.
• Personal circumstances — Work schedules, family obligations, and financial constraints can all affect how quickly you move through the process.

Airframe vs Powerplant: Does One Rating Take Longer?

Both ratings require the same minimum experience (30 months for both, 18 months for a single rating) and equivalent written test and O&P requirements. The choice of rating does not significantly affect the total timeline, but it does affect the types of employers and aircraft you will work with during your experience phase — which can indirectly affect your timeline if you have difficulty finding appropriate maintenance positions in your area.

Most employers strongly prefer mechanics who hold both ratings, and the added testing time for the second rating is small compared to the career benefit. Even if you start with a single rating, most mechanics add the second rating within a few years. See our FAA A&P exam structure guide for the exact differences between the General, Airframe, and Powerplant tests.

How Sky License Helps You Move Faster

The single biggest controllable factor in your A&P timeline is how quickly you pass the three written tests. Traditional study methods — reading textbooks, taking handwritten notes, and creating your own practice tests — are time-intensive and inefficient. Sky License's AI-powered platform gives you a measurable speed advantage:

• Adaptive learning — The AI identifies your weak areas and generates questions at calibrated difficulty levels, focusing your study time where it has the most impact.
• Full FAA coverage — Every topic from all three tests (General, Airframe, Powerplant) is represented in the question bank, so you never waste time studying material that will not appear on the test.
• Real-time feedback — Every question includes a detailed explanation with references to the FAA handbooks and AC 43.13-1B. You learn why each answer is correct, not just which answer to pick.
• Performance analytics — Track your progress across every test and subject area. Always know exactly how ready you are for each exam.
• Exam simulations — Timed practice exams (60 questions/2h for General, 100 questions/2h for Airframe and Powerplant) build speed and confidence, so you walk into the testing center knowing what to expect.

Candidates using Sky License consistently report reducing their total exam preparation time by 40-60% compared to self-study with textbooks alone. In a process where every month saved gets you closer to your certificate and a full-time A&P salary, that efficiency makes a real difference.

Start your FAA A&P exam preparation with Sky License →