What Is an A&P Mechanic?

An Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic is a certified professional authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to inspect, repair, modify, and certify aircraft. A&P mechanics are responsible for maintenance record entries and approvals for return to service — the legal certifications that an aircraft is airworthy and safe to fly. Without a certificated mechanic signing off on maintenance work, no US aircraft can legally return to service under 14 CFR Part 43.

The profession is regulated under 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D (certification), with the work itself governed by 14 CFR Part 43 (maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration) and the inspection requirements of Part 91. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees the entire certification process — approving Part 147 training schools, administering the knowledge testing program through PSI, and issuing certificates through Designated Mechanic Examiners (DMEs) and Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs). The official certification standard, the Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS), defines the knowledge and skill requirements that every candidate must meet.

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements

Before you can begin formally working toward your A&P certificate, you must satisfy the basic eligibility criteria established by 14 CFR §65.71:

Age — You must be at least 18 years old to receive a mechanic certificate. There is no upper age limit.
English proficiency — You must be able to read, write, and understand the English language. Aviation maintenance documentation, manuals, and regulatory references are published in English.
Education — There is no formal education requirement, but a high school diploma with strong foundations in mathematics, physics, and mechanical principles is highly beneficial for the knowledge tests.
Citizenship — US citizenship is not required. Non-citizens can earn an A&P certificate, and foreign military or civilian maintenance experience can qualify toward the experience requirement under §65.77.
Clean aviation record — The FAA may review your background for aviation-related infractions, safety violations, or criminal convictions that could affect your suitability for certification.

Meeting these prerequisites ensures that you have the foundational capacity to handle the technical, regulatory, and safety demands of the profession. The certification process is demanding by design — public safety depends on the competence of every certificated mechanic.

Step 2: Choose Your Training Path

The FAA recognizes two main pathways to qualifying for the A&P certificate. Your choice depends on your educational background, learning style, financial situation, and career timeline.

Path A: Attend a Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School

Graduating from an FAA-approved Part 147 school is the most structured and fastest route to certification. Under §65.77(b), a recent graduate of a Part 147 school may substitute successful completion of the school's curriculum for the experience requirement — meaning you can qualify for the oral and practical test without accumulating 30 months of on-the-job experience first. Approved programs are offered at institutions across the country, including:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ. One of the best-known aviation universities in the world, with a rigorous Part 147 A&P program alongside degree programs.
Purdue University — West Lafayette, IN. Offers an aviation maintenance technology program combining Part 147 training with a bachelor's degree.
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — Tulsa, OK. One of the oldest and largest aviation maintenance schools in the country.
National Aviation Academy (NAA) — Clearwater, FL, and Bedford, MA. Fast-paced, hands-on A&P training with strong airline and MRO placement.
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) — Pittsburgh, PA, with campuses in Youngstown, OH, Hagerstown, MD, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Offers A&P diplomas and associate degrees.
Tarrant County College — Fort Worth, TX. A highly regarded community college A&P program in the heart of Texas aviation.
Texas State Technical College — Waco, TX. Extensive hands-on facilities and strong industry connections with Texas MROs.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) — Multiple campuses including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Career-focused A&P training with airline partnerships.
Spokane Community College — Spokane, WA. A well-respected program serving the Pacific Northwest's aviation sector.
Vaughn College — Queens, NY. Offers A&P training and engineering technology degrees in the New York metro area.

The key advantage of the Part 147 path is speed and structure. Most programs run 12–24 months, and graduates can move directly to the FAA knowledge tests and the oral/practical test. Many schools also build knowledge test preparation into the curriculum and administer the FAA tests on campus.

Path B: Apprenticeship / On-the-Job Experience (OJT)

The experience route involves working in aircraft maintenance under the supervision of certificated mechanics while documenting your experience. Per §65.77, you need 18 months of practical experience for one rating (Airframe or Powerplant) and 30 months for both. While it takes longer than the school route, apprenticeship offers the advantage of earning a wage from day one and building real-world industry experience. Many apprentices find that the practical, on-the-job learning environment suits their learning style better than a classroom.

Some candidates take a blended approach: completing a Part 147 program first to build theoretical knowledge and qualify for the experience waiver, then working in a maintenance shop while studying for the knowledge tests. This combined path is increasingly popular and offers the best of both worlds.

Step 3: Choose Airframe, Powerplant, or Both

Before you begin the examination process, you need to decide which ratings you will pursue. This decision affects which tests you take and the scope of work you will be authorized to certify:

Airframe rating — Authorizes maintenance of the airframe: structures, landing gear, flight controls, hydraulics, fuel systems, and cabin systems. The Airframe knowledge test has 100 questions.
Powerplant rating — Authorizes maintenance of engines and propellers: reciprocating and turbine engines, fuel metering, ignition, lubrication, and exhaust systems. The Powerplant knowledge test has 100 questions.
Both (the A&P) — The industry standard. Requires the General, Airframe, and Powerplant knowledge tests plus a single oral/practical covering both ratings, and 30 months of experience (or Part 147 graduation).

Most mechanics pursue both ratings — employers overwhelmingly expect the combined A&P. For a detailed comparison of the ratings, see our guide on Airframe vs Powerplant ratings.

Step 4: Pass the FAA Knowledge Tests

This is the most academically demanding phase of the certification process. You must pass the FAA knowledge tests, each covering a specific subject area defined in the Aviation Mechanic ACS. The pass mark for all tests is 70%.

The Three Knowledge Tests

General (AMG) — 60 questions, 2 hours. Covers regulations (14 CFR Parts 1, 43, 65, 91), mathematics, physics, basic electricity, aircraft drawings, weight & balance, materials and processes, cleaning and corrosion control, ground operations, and human factors.
Airframe (AMA) — 100 questions, 2 hours. Covers airframe structures (wood, fabric, sheet metal, composites, welding, rigging) and airframe systems (electrical, instruments, communication/navigation, hydraulics, landing gear, fuel, environmental, fire protection, ice and rain control, flight controls).
Powerplant (AMP) — 100 questions, 2 hours. Covers reciprocating and turbine engines, engine inspection, engine systems (fuel, ignition, electrical, lubrication, cooling, exhaust), and propellers.

The knowledge tests are computer-based, administered by PSI at testing centers across the United States. You register with your FAA tracking number (FTN), schedule a session, and receive your score immediately. You can schedule the tests individually, allowing you to study and pass one at a time. Many candidates find that using an AI-powered platform like Sky License significantly accelerates their preparation by providing adaptive practice questions, real exam simulations, and instant AI tutor support.

For detailed study strategies and a complete breakdown of each test, including question formats, time management tips, and common pitfalls, see our dedicated FAA A&P written tests guide.

Step 5: Complete Experience, Oral/Practical, and Certification

Once you have passed your knowledge tests, you must complete your experience requirements (unless you are a Part 147 recent graduate) and then pass the oral and practical examination administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

Practical Experience Requirements

The FAA requires 18 months of practical experience for a single rating and 30 months for both, per §65.77 — or graduation from a Part 147 school. Your experience must be documented on FAA Form 8610-2 (Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application), with the experience section endorsed by a supervisor who can attest to the work you performed. The experience must cover the procedures, practices, materials, tools, and equipment generally used in aircraft maintenance, organized across the relevant competency areas:

Inspection and testing procedures
Repair and modification of aircraft structures and systems
Troubleshooting and fault diagnostics
Maintenance record-keeping and certification documentation
Use of technical publications, ADs, and approved data

Oral and Practical Exam

This is the final and most comprehensive assessment. A Designated Mechanic Examiner conducts an oral examination testing your depth of knowledge across the entire ACS, followed by a practical examination where you perform maintenance tasks under observation. The examiner evaluates your technical knowledge, safety awareness, reference to approved data, tool use, and regulatory compliance. You present your FAA Form 8610-2 with a knowledge test results report and any experience documentation at the start of the session.

Certification and Beyond

After passing all components, the DME issues your temporary mechanic certificate on the spot (with the permanent certificate arriving from the FAA by mail). You are then authorized to perform and certify aircraft maintenance within your ratings. Congratulations — you are now a certificated A&P mechanic!

Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

The total time from starting your training to earning your A&P certificate varies significantly depending on your chosen path:

Part 147 school graduate (full-time) — 18 to 24 months total. Most A&P programs run 12–24 months, including built-in knowledge test preparation.
Apprenticeship route — 2.5 to 3.5 years total. 30 months of documented experience + knowledge test and oral/practical preparation interspersed.
Accelerated path (school + focused test prep) — 12 to 18 months. Using tools like Sky License to compress exam preparation can shave months off the timeline.

How Sky License Helps You Become an A&P Faster

Sky License is an AI-powered study platform designed specifically for the FAA knowledge tests. Our platform covers the complete Aviation Mechanic ACS with adaptive technology that helps you learn faster and retain more.

Full ACS coverage — Every subject area is mapped to specific tasks with dedicated practice questions.
Adaptive AI difficulty — The platform adjusts in real time to focus on your weak areas while reinforcing strong ones.
Real exam simulations — Timed practice tests replicate the actual PSI testing environment to build speed and confidence.
AI Tutor — Get instant, syllabus-referenced explanations of any topic in plain language.
Progress tracking — Know exactly where you stand on every subject area before you book your test.

Start preparing with Sky License →