What an A&P License Is and Why You Need One

An A&P license — short for Airframe and Powerplant — is a federal certification that allows you to legally perform maintenance and repairs on aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues this license, and you cannot work as a mechanic on any aircraft without one, whether you work for an airline, a repair shop, or a private operator.

The license comes in two parts: the Airframe (A) rating covers the aircraft structure, skin, and systems, while the Powerplant (P) rating covers engines and engine systems. Most mechanics pursue both ratings together, though you can earn them separately. Once you hold an A&P, you can sign off on maintenance work, meaning you take legal responsibility for the safety of that work.

Key Takeaways

  • You must complete either 18 months of on-the-job experience under a licensed mechanic, or attend an FAA-approved school and complete 24 calendar months of training.
  • After meeting experience or schooling requirements, you must pass three written exams (General, Airframe, and Powerplant), an oral exam, and a practical exam administered by an FAA examiner.
  • The written exams cost money to take, and you must schedule them through a testing center; the oral and practical exams are free but require finding an available FAA examiner in your area.
  • The entire process from starting training to holding your license typically takes 18 months to three years, depending on whether you choose work experience or school.

Two Routes to Meet the Experience Requirement

The FAA offers two paths to get the training and experience you need before you can test for your A&P license. The first is on-the-job training, and the second is formal schooling. Both lead to the same license, but they differ in cost, time, and how you learn.

On-the-job training means working under a licensed A&P mechanic for 18 months while performing actual maintenance tasks. You must document your work in a logbook that the FAA provides, recording the specific tasks you performed and the hours you spent on each type of work. Your supervising mechanic signs off on your entries. This route costs less upfront — you earn a wage while training — but it requires finding an employer willing to hire you as an apprentice and a licensed mechanic willing to supervise you. Not all shops take on trainees, and the quality of training depends on what work comes through the door.

FAA-approved school means attending a Part 147 school, which is the FAA's designation for aircraft maintenance training programs. These programs run 24 calendar months and combine classroom instruction with hands-on work in a lab setting. You pay tuition upfront — costs vary widely, from roughly $30,000 to $50,000 depending on the school — but you graduate with structured knowledge and documented training hours. Schools are located across the country; you can search for them on the FAA's website under Part 147 schools. This route is faster if you attend full-time, and you finish with a certificate of completion that satisfies the experience requirement.

The Written Exams: General, Airframe, and Powerplant

Once you have completed your 18 months of experience or your 24-month school program, you are ready to test. The FAA requires you to pass three written exams: the General exam (covers topics all mechanics need), the Airframe exam, and the Powerplant exam. You take these exams at a testing center, not through the FAA directly.

You must schedule your exams through a Computerized Testing Service (CTS) center. The two largest networks are PSI and Pearson VUE; you can find testing locations on their websites. Each exam costs money — the exact fee depends on the testing center, but expect to pay roughly $175 to $200 per exam, so $525 to $600 total for all three. You can take the exams in any order and space them out over time; there is no requirement to take them all at once.

To register for an exam, you will need your Social Security number and a valid government-issued ID. You must also have a valid Airman Knowledge Test Report, which you get by taking a pre-test knowledge exam at the testing center. This pre-test is free and confirms you are ready to sit for the actual exam. You can retake any exam you fail, though you must wait 30 days before retesting the same exam.

The Oral and Practical Exams

After you pass all three written exams, you move on to the oral and practical exams, often called the "checkride." These are administered by an FAA examiner called an Inspection Authorization (IA) holder or an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). The oral exam tests your knowledge in depth — the examiner asks questions about maintenance procedures, regulations, and troubleshooting. The practical exam has you actually perform maintenance tasks on an aircraft or engine to show you can do the work safely and correctly.

The oral and practical exams are free, but you must find an available examiner in your area and schedule with them directly. This can take time; some examiners have long waiting lists. You can find examiners through the FAA's website or by asking your school or employer for recommendations. The exams typically take a full day or are split across two days. You must bring your three passing written exam scores and your logbook documenting your experience.

If you fail the oral or practical exam, you can retake it, but you must schedule a new appointment with an examiner. There is no waiting period between attempts, but finding an available examiner may mean waiting weeks or months.

Costs and Timeline

The total cost of getting an A&P license varies significantly depending on which route you choose. If you pursue on-the-job training, your main costs are the written exams (roughly $525 to $600) and any study materials you buy. You earn a wage during your 18 months of training, so your net cost is low. If you attend an FAA-approved school, expect tuition between $30,000 and $50,000, plus exam fees.

The timeline also depends on your route. On-the-job training takes a minimum of 18 months, but you cannot start testing until you have completed those 18 months. School takes 24 calendar months if you attend full-time, but some schools offer accelerated or part-time options that take longer. Once you finish your training or experience, you can begin testing when ready. Most people complete the written exams within a few months, but scheduling the oral and practical exams can add another two to six months depending on examiner availability in your area.

What Happens After You Pass Your Tests

Once you pass your oral and practical exams, you do not automatically receive your A&P certificate in the mail. Instead, the examiner issues you a temporary airman certificate on the spot, valid for 120 days. During this time, you can work as a licensed A&P mechanic. The FAA then processes your permanent certificate, which arrives by mail within a few weeks.

Your A&P license does not expire, but you must keep your medical certificate current if you want to exercise certain privileges (such as performing test flights). For most maintenance work, your A&P alone is sufficient. You can work for any FAA-certified repair station, airline, or aircraft owner. Some employers may require additional certifications or type ratings for specific aircraft, but the A&P is the foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work on aircraft while I am training for my A&P?

Yes, but only under the direct supervision of a licensed A&P mechanic. If you are doing on-the-job training, your employer must may support a licensed mechanic oversees your work and signs off on your logbook entries. If you attend school, you perform maintenance tasks in the school's lab under instructor supervision, but this does not count as real-world aircraft maintenance.

Do I have to take all three written exams before I can take the oral and practical?

Yes. You must pass the General, Airframe, and Powerplant written exams before you are allowed to schedule your oral and practical exams. However, you do not have to take all three written exams on the same day or in the same testing window.

What if I fail one of the written exams?

You can retake it after 30 days. Your passing scores on the other two exams remain valid. There is no limit to how many times you can retake an exam, but each attempt costs the testing center fee again.

Is an A&P license the same as being an aircraft mechanic?

An A&P license is the federal certification that legally allows you to work as an aircraft mechanic. You cannot legally perform maintenance on aircraft without one. Some people use the terms interchangeably, but technically the license is what makes you a certified mechanic.

Can I get an A&P license if I do not have a high school diploma?

The FAA does not require a high school diploma or GED to pursue an A&P license. However, most FAA-approved schools require a diploma or GED for admission. If you choose on-the-job training, you can start without a diploma as long as an employer hires you, though many employers prefer one.