An A&P license certifies that you can legally perform maintenance and repairs on aircraft

An A&P license — short for Airframe and Powerplant license — is a federal credential issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that authorizes a mechanic to work on aircraft structures, engines, and systems. Without this license, you cannot legally sign off on maintenance work or repairs that affect whether an aircraft is safe to fly. Airlines, repair shops, manufacturers, and the military all require A&P-licensed mechanics.

The license has two components: the Airframe (A) rating covers the aircraft body, wings, landing gear, and hydraulic systems; the Powerplant (P) rating covers engines and engine-related systems. Most mechanics pursue both ratings together, though you can hold one without the other. The FAA also issues an Inspection Authorization (IA) to experienced A&P holders who want to perform and sign off on major repairs and annual inspections.

Key Takeaways

  • An A&P license is a federal FAA credential required to legally perform aircraft maintenance and sign off on repairs that affect airworthiness.
  • You need either 18 months of hands-on experience in one rating or 30 months of combined experience, plus passing three written exams and a practical test.
  • Most people attend FAA-approved Part 147 schools, which compress the experience requirement to as little as 18 months of full-time study.
  • The total cost ranges widely depending on whether you attend a school or pursue experience on the job, but school programs typically run $30,000 to $50,000.
  • Once licensed, you must stay current by working in the field regularly; the license itself does not expire, but your ability to sign off on work does if you stop maintaining currency.

Experience requirements: the two paths to an A&P license

The FAA sets two routes to meet the experience requirement. The first is the job-based path: you work as an aircraft mechanic under supervision for 18 months in one rating (Airframe or Powerplant) or 30 months if you want both ratings simultaneously. The second is the school-based path: you attend an FAA-approved Part 147 school, which condenses the requirement to as little as 18 months of full-time classroom and lab work for both ratings combined.

The job-based path is slower but costs less upfront. You start as an apprentice or helper at an airline, maintenance facility, or military base, learning under licensed mechanics. Your supervisor documents your hands-on hours in a logbook. After 18 or 30 months, you have met the experience requirement and can sit for the exams. Many people combine both paths: they attend school for 12 to 18 months, then work part-time while finishing their experience hours.

Part 147 schools are the faster, more structured option. These are accredited technical colleges and trade schools that teach the same material the FAA tests on, with instructors who are themselves A&P-licensed. You attend classes, work in labs on actual aircraft or engines, and graduate with your experience requirement already met. The tradeoff is cost and time commitment — you are in school full-time, and tuition runs higher than the job-based path.

The three written exams and what they cover

Once you have met the experience requirement, you must pass three written exams administered by the FAA: the Knowledge Test, the Oral Exam, and the Practical Test. The Knowledge Test is multiple-choice and covers aircraft systems, maintenance procedures, regulations, and safety. You take separate Knowledge Tests for the Airframe and Powerplant ratings if you are pursuing both.

The Oral Exam is a one-on-one conversation with an FAA examiner (called a Designated Mechanic Examiner, or DME) who asks you to explain concepts, troubleshoot scenarios, and demonstrate your understanding of aircraft systems. This is not a written test — the examiner is assessing whether you can think through real maintenance problems. The Practical Test (also called the "hands-on" test) has you perform actual maintenance tasks on an aircraft or engine under the examiner's observation. You might replace a component, inspect a system, or diagnose a fault.

You must pass all three tests for each rating you pursue. Many people take the Knowledge Test first, then schedule the Oral and Practical together on the same day with a DME. The tests are offered year-round at testing centers and at some schools and maintenance facilities.

Cost and timeline for completing an A&P license

The cost and timeline depend heavily on which path you choose. A Part 147 school program typically costs between $30,000 and $50,000 and takes 18 to 24 months of full-time attendance. Some schools offer payment plans or financial aid. The job-based path costs much less in tuition — often just the cost of study materials and exam fees — but takes longer: 18 to 30 months of working while learning, plus time to study for and take the exams.

Exam fees are set by the FAA and are the same regardless of path. As of recent years, the Knowledge Test costs around $175 per rating, and the combined Oral and Practical Test costs around $300 to $400, though these amounts can vary by examiner and location. Study materials — textbooks, online courses, practice tests — add another $500 to $1,500 depending on what you buy.

The timeline also depends on how quickly you can find a testing slot. In busy areas, DMEs may have a wait of several weeks to months. Some schools have DMEs on staff and can schedule you faster. If you are working full-time while pursuing the job-based path, add several months for studying and waiting for exam appointments.

What you can and cannot do with an A&P license

With an A&P license, you can perform routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections on aircraft and sign off on the work — meaning you certify to the FAA that the work was done correctly and the aircraft is safe to fly. You can work for airlines, repair shops, manufacturers, the military, or as an independent contractor. You can troubleshoot problems, replace components, and perform inspections required by the FAA.

What you cannot do: you cannot perform major repairs or alterations without an Inspection Authorization (IA), a separate credential for experienced A&P holders. You cannot approve major design changes to an aircraft. You cannot work on aircraft you do not have authorization to work on — for example, if you work for an airline, you can only work on that airline's aircraft unless you are also certified for other types. And you cannot legally perform maintenance work if you are not currently employed or contracted by an entity that holds an FAA maintenance certificate.

The license itself does not expire, but your ability to sign off on work does if you stop maintaining currency. The FAA requires that you have worked on aircraft within the past 24 months to remain current. If you take a break from aircraft maintenance, you lose the right to sign off on work until you return to the field and rebuild your currency.

Inspection Authorization (IA): the next step after A&P

An Inspection Authorization is an additional credential for A&P-licensed mechanics who want to perform major repairs, alterations, and annual inspections. To be may be able to access, you must hold an A&P license, have at least three years of experience as an A&P, and pass an additional written exam and practical test focused on inspection procedures and regulations.

With an IA, you can approve major work that affects the airworthiness of an aircraft, issue airworthiness certificates after major repairs, and perform annual inspections. Many independent shops and smaller airlines rely on IA holders to sign off on their work. The IA is not required to work as an A&P, but it opens doors to supervisory roles and independent contracting.

Military experience and reciprocal credit

If you have worked as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. military, you may be able to count some or all of that time toward the A&P experience requirement. The FAA recognizes military maintenance experience, but the amount of credit depends on your specific military specialty code and the rating you are pursuing. You will need to provide military records (usually a DD Form 214 or equivalent) documenting your maintenance experience.

Some military mechanics can meet the full 18-month or 30-month requirement with military time alone. Others may need to supplement with civilian experience or school. Contact the FAA or an approved school to review your military records and determine how much credit you receive. This can significantly shorten the timeline if you are transitioning from military to civilian aircraft maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work on aircraft while I am working toward my A&P license?

Yes. If you are pursuing the job-based path, you work on aircraft under supervision from day one — that work counts toward your experience requirement. If you attend a Part 147 school, you can work part-time at a maintenance facility while in school, and that time counts toward your hours. Many people combine school with part-time work to finish faster.

What happens if I fail one of the three exams?

You can retake any exam you fail. There is no limit on retakes, but you must wait a certain period before retesting — typically 30 days for the Knowledge Test. You pay the exam fee each time you retake it. Many people use the time between attempts to study harder or get more hands-on experience.

Do I need a high school diploma or GED to get an A&P license?

The FAA does not require a high school diploma or GED to pursue an A&P license, though most Part 147 schools do. If you are pursuing the job-based path, you do not need any formal education credential — you just need to find an employer willing to hire you as an apprentice and document your hours.

How often do I need to renew my A&P license?

Your A&P license does not expire and does not require renewal. However, you must maintain currency by working on aircraft within the past 24 months to legally sign off on maintenance. If you take a break from the field, you lose currency but not the license itself — you can regain currency by returning to work.

Can I get an A&P license if I have a criminal record?

The FAA does not automatically disqualify applicants with criminal records, but certain convictions — particularly those involving dishonesty, fraud, or violence — may be grounds for denial. Contact the FAA or an approved school to discuss your specific situation before investing time and money in training.