What Aircraft Mechanic Certification Requires

Aircraft mechanic certification is a credential issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that proves you can legally perform maintenance and repairs on aircraft. The FAA offers two main certificates: an Airframe certificate (covering the body, wings, and systems of the aircraft) and a Powerplant certificate (covering engines and propulsion systems). Most aircraft mechanics hold both, called an A&P certificate.

To earn either certificate, you must complete technical training, accumulate hands-on work hours, and pass written, oral, and practical exams administered by the FAA. The entire process typically takes 18 months to three years, depending on whether you attend a formal school or learn on the job. There is no single federal pathway — you choose between structured classroom training or a longer apprenticeship route with documented experience.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA issues two separate certificates — Airframe and Powerplant — and most mechanics earn both to work on complete aircraft.
  • You can reach certification through either a Part 147 school (typically 18 to 24 months) or by accumulating 30 months of on-the-job experience without formal schooling.
  • Before taking FAA exams, you must log the required work hours in your specific area and have a supervising mechanic or instructor sign off on your training record.
  • The FAA exam consists of a written test (80 questions), an oral exam with an FAA inspector, and a practical demonstration of your skills on actual aircraft systems.
  • Once certified, you must renew your certificate every 24 calendar months by performing maintenance work or taking recurrent training.

The Two Routes to Certification: School or Experience

The FAA recognizes two legal pathways to certification. The first is attending a Part 147 school — a formal aviation maintenance technician program approved by the FAA. These programs are offered at community colleges, technical institutes, and private aviation schools. A Part 147 program typically runs 18 to 24 months full-time and covers both Airframe and Powerplant material in a structured classroom and lab environment. Upon completion, you graduate with the training hours already documented and can move directly to the exam stage.

The second route is the experience pathway. You work under the supervision of a certificated mechanic or inspector for a set number of hours without attending formal school. For an Airframe certificate, you need 30 months of full-time experience. For a Powerplant certificate, you also need 30 months. If you pursue both, the FAA allows you to count overlapping months, so the total is typically 30 months rather than 60. This route takes longer but costs less upfront and lets you earn while you learn.

Many mechanics combine both routes: they attend a Part 147 school for one certificate (usually Airframe) and then accumulate experience hours toward the second. This hybrid approach shortens the total time compared to the experience-only route while reducing the cost compared to pursuing both certificates through school alone.

What Training Hours and Documentation Look Like

Whether you choose school or experience, the FAA requires documented proof of your training. In a Part 147 school, the school itself maintains your training record and issues a graduation certificate that lists the hours you completed in each subject area. You bring this certificate when you register for the FAA exam.

If you pursue the experience route, you must keep a personal training record — often called a logbook — that documents every shift you work, what systems or aircraft you worked on, and the name of the supervising mechanic. At the end of your 30 months, a certificated mechanic or FAA inspector must review and sign your logbook to certify that you completed the required hours and gained the necessary knowledge. Without this sign-off, the FAA will not let you sit for the exam.

The FAA publishes a list of required subject areas for each certificate. For Airframe, these include aircraft structures, aircraft systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical), and aircraft inspection. For Powerplant, you must demonstrate knowledge of engine theory, fuel systems, ignition systems, and engine maintenance. Your training record — whether from school or your logbook — must show that you covered all required topics.

The FAA Exam: Written, Oral, and Practical Components

Once your training is documented and signed off, you register with the FAA to sit for the exam. The exam has three parts, and you must pass all three to earn your certificate.

The written exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions covering the technical knowledge for your certificate type. You have two hours to complete it. The FAA publishes study guides and sample questions, and many test-prep companies offer practice exams. You take the written test at an FAA-approved testing center, and you receive your score when ready.

The oral exam is a conversation with an FAA inspector (called a Designated Mechanic Examiner, or DME) who asks you questions about aircraft systems, maintenance procedures, and regulations. There is no fixed script — the examiner tailors questions to your background and the certificate you are pursuing. The oral typically lasts 1 to 2 hours. The examiner is assessing whether you understand the "why" behind procedures, not just memorized facts.

The practical exam (also called the "practical test" or "checkride") takes place in a hangar or maintenance facility where you demonstrate hands-on skills. You might be asked to inspect an aircraft system, identify a defect, perform a repair, or troubleshoot a problem. The examiner watches and evaluates whether you work safely, follow procedures, and produce correct results. This portion usually takes 4 to 8 hours depending on what systems are available.

Costs, Timeline, and What Happens After Certification

The cost of certification varies significantly by route. A Part 147 school program typically costs between $15,000 and $35,000 in tuition, depending on the school and whether it is public or private. The experience-only route has minimal upfront cost but requires you to work unpaid or at lower wages while accumulating hours, which extends your timeline.

The timeline also depends on your route. A full-time Part 147 student can complete both Airframe and Powerplant training in 18 to 24 months and sit for exams shortly after. Someone pursuing the experience route works for 30 months before becoming may be able to access to test. A hybrid approach — school for one certificate plus experience for the other — typically takes 24 to 36 months total.

Once you hold an active FAA certificate, you are legally authorized to sign off on maintenance work, meaning your signature certifies that the work meets FAA standards. Your certificate is valid for 24 calendar months. To renew it, you must either perform at least one hour of maintenance work in each of the 24 months preceding renewal, or complete an FAA-approved recurrent training course. Many employers require recurrent training annually regardless of the renewal requirement.

Common Confusion Points and Next Steps

A frequent misunderstanding is that a Part 147 school certificate is itself an FAA certificate — it is not. The school certificate proves you completed training; the FAA certificate comes only after you pass all three exams. Similarly, some people assume they can work as an aircraft mechanic without certification. Federal law requires that anyone performing maintenance on aircraft that carry passengers or cargo must hold an FAA certificate.

Another point of confusion: the difference between an A&P certificate and an IA (Inspection Authorization). An IA is an additional credential that allows you to perform annual inspections on certain aircraft. You must hold an A&P first and have at least 24 months of experience as a certificated mechanic before you can pursue an IA. An IA is not required for most maintenance work — only for performing inspections that the FAA designates as requiring an IA.

If you are ready to move forward, your first step is to decide between the school route and the experience route. If you choose school, research Part 147 programs in your area or online. The FAA maintains a searchable list of approved schools on its website. If you choose the experience route, look for entry-level positions at aircraft maintenance facilities, repair stations, or airlines where you can work under a certificated mechanic's supervision and build your logbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an aircraft mechanic certificate without attending a formal school?

Yes. You can accumulate 30 months of full-time hands-on experience under a certificated mechanic or inspector, document it in a logbook, and have it signed off. Then you sit for the same FAA exams as school graduates. This route takes longer but costs less upfront.

Do I need both Airframe and Powerplant certificates, or can I get just one?

You can get either one alone. However, most employers prefer or require both because an A&P mechanic can work on any part of an aircraft. Getting only one limits your job options. The FAA allows you to pursue them separately or together.

What happens if I fail one of the three exam components?

You can retake the failed portion without retaking the others you passed. There is no limit on retakes, but you must wait at least 30 days between attempts on the same test. Many people retake the oral or practical once or twice before passing.

How much does it cost to take the FAA exams?

The FAA does not charge a fee for the written, oral, or practical exams themselves. However, you pay the testing center or examiner for their services — typically $150 to $300 for the written test and $500 to $1,000 for the oral and practical combined, depending on your location and examiner.

Can I work on aircraft while I am still training but not yet certified?

Yes, but only under the direct supervision of a certificated mechanic. You cannot sign off on work yourself. Your supervisor must review and approve everything you do. This is how the experience pathway works — you build hours while working under supervision.