How to Get Your A&P License: Requirements, Form 8610-2, and Testing Explained

Every A&P mechanic took the same road: prove you qualify, pass the written tests, then sit for the oral and practical. The rules for that road are in 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D. Here is what they actually say, in plain language, with the section numbers so you can read them yourself.

Basic eligibility (14 CFR 65.71)

To be eligible for a mechanic certificate and ratings, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age (14 CFR 65.71(a)(1)).
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language (14 CFR 65.71(a)(2)).
• Have passed all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months (14 CFR 65.71(a)(3)).
• Meet the sections of Subpart D that apply to the rating you want (14 CFR 65.71(a)(4)).

Part 65 issues two mechanic ratings: Airframe and Powerplant (14 CFR 65.73(a)). Hold both and you are an A&P.

Two ways to qualify: experience or a Part 147 school (14 CFR 65.77)

Each applicant must present one of the following (14 CFR 65.77):

Path 1: Part 147 graduate

An authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school in accordance with 14 CFR 147.21 (14 CFR 65.77(a)). Under 147.21, each certificated school must give every graduating student an authenticated document showing the date of graduation and the curriculum completed (14 CFR 147.21).

Path 2: practical experience

Documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of either:

• At least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought (14 CFR 65.77(b)(1)); or
• At least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings (14 CFR 65.77(b)(2)).

In short: 18 months for one rating, 30 months of concurrent work for both. The key word in the regulation is documentary. Your experience has to be on paper, and the FAA has to accept it.

FAA Form 8610-2: your authorization to test

Part 65 says the application must be made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Administrator (14 CFR 65.11(a)). The FAA’s General handbook identifies that form for mechanic applicants as FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 13, discussion of Section 65.11).

For experience-path applicants, the signed and endorsed 8610-2 is what shows your experience has been accepted under 65.77 so you can go test. Our FAA Form 8610-2 guide walks through the paperwork step by step, including the military routes we see most often.

A note on 14 CFR 65.80

Section 65.80 is often mixed up with the 8610-2. It is actually a rule for students at a Part 147 school. When a certificated school shows the FAA that a student has made satisfactory progress and is prepared for the oral and practical tests, that student may take those tests during the final subjects of training, before meeting the 65.77 experience requirement and before passing each section of the written test (14 CFR 65.80). If you are qualifying on experience, 65.80 does not apply to you.

The knowledge tests: General, Airframe, Powerplant (14 CFR 65.75)

• After meeting the experience requirements of 65.77, you must pass a written test appropriate to the rating sought, covering the subject areas in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS) (14 CFR 65.75(a)).
• For the A&P certificate, that means three separate tests: General, Airframe, and Powerplant (FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 13, discussion of Section 65.75).
• You must pass each section before applying for the oral and practical tests (14 CFR 65.75(b)).
• Exception: you may take the General written before meeting the experience requirement if you present an authenticated document from a certificated school showing you completed the general portion of its curriculum, with the completion date (14 CFR 65.75(c)).
• The minimum passing grade for each test is 70 percent (14 CFR 65.17(b)).

The oral and practical exams (14 CFR 65.79)

Each applicant must pass an oral test and a practical test, appropriate to the rating sought, by demonstrating satisfactory understanding of the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant ACS (14 CFR 65.79). Tests are given at times and places, and by persons, designated by the Administrator (14 CFR 65.17(a)). In practice, that is a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

If you fail any written, oral, or practical test, you may retest after 30 days, or sooner if you bring a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating you are seeking. That statement must certify that the airman gave you additional instruction in each failed subject and considers you ready (14 CFR 65.19).

Putting it together

1. Qualify under 65.77: a Part 147 graduation document, or 18 or 30 months of documented experience.
2. Experience path: get your 8610-2 signed off.
3. Pass the General, Airframe, and Powerplant writtens (65.75).
4. Pass the oral and practical for each rating (65.79).
5. Finish all of the required tests within 24 months (65.71(a)(3)).

Our accelerated A&P prep course at Freeman Field (3JC) in Junction City runs 10–12 days. It covers all three writtens, and we coordinate the oral and practical with local DMEs. When you are ready, enroll here, or call 785-208-4610.

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