Aircraft mechanic: FAA Part 147 school or 18–30 months of experience, then the A&P tests
Most aircraft mechanics attend an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school (18 to 24 months) and then pass the FAA's written, oral and practical tests for the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings. Others document 18 months (one rating) or 30 months (both) of supervised experience, civilian or military.
For: Careful, mechanical people who like engines, precise work and aviation safety.
Route 1: FAA-certificated school (Part 147) → A&P tests Most common
A graduation certificate from an AMTS replaces the experience requirement and makes you eligible to test. Programs tied to community colleges can also award an associate's degree.
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Start here
High school diploma or GED
Required to attend an AMTS.
About the GEDFAA
Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft MechanicU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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18–24 months
Aviation Maintenance Technician School (14 CFR part 147)
Airframe and/or Powerplant courses; some add avionics.
FAA
Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft MechanicU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Three knowledge tests
General first, then Airframe and/or Powerplant.
FAA
Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written TestsU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Oral and practical tests
Given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).
FAA
Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written TestsU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
FAA mechanic certificate with A and/or P ratings
At least 18, English, and all tests passed within 24 months.
eCFR
14 CFR 65.71: Mechanic eligibility requirementseCFR (National Archives) · FAA rule- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Route 2: On-the-job experience (civilian or military) → A&P tests Experience route
Usually the cheapest way to gain the experience. Work under a certificated A&P mechanic and log everything; military time counts only for time worked in the specialty, not time in training.
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Start here
Job or volunteer role at a maintenance facility, or military aviation maintenance
FAA
Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft MechanicU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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18 or 30 months
Documented practical experience
18 months for one rating, 30 months for both at once. An FAA inspector reviews your documents.
FAA
Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written TestsU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
Knowledge, oral and practical tests
FAA
Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written TestsU.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
A&P mechanic
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Route 3: Registered Apprenticeship Earn while you learn
Apprentices log supervised experience under certificated mechanics.
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Start here
High school diploma or equivalent
GED or HiSETBLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Find a program
A Registered Apprenticeship
Validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.
USDOL
What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program?U.S. Department of Labor (Apprenticeship.gov)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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5,000 hours
Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic (RAPIDS 0005)
Time-based minimum term: 5,000 hours (an older version 8,000).
USDOL
Approved occupations for Registered Apprenticeship (spreadsheet: RAPIDS code, type, minimum term)U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (Apprenticeship.gov)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Linked from apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations. Term lengths are hours of on-the-job learning; time-based programs list one figure, hybrid programs a range.
View source -
Goal
A&P mechanic
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
National certifications and federal rules
Federal rules apply in every state; voluntary certifications are ones employers may ask for. State rules are in the matrix below.
- Inspection Authorization (IA)
FAA · for A&P mechanics - For A&P mechanics who meet experience and other requirements: lets them review and approve many major repairs and alterations, and opens the best advancement.
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- FCC license (avionics)
Federal Communications Commission - Avionics technicians who work on communications equipment may need one.
BLS
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
State rules
Mechanic certificates are federal: the FAA issues them, and BLS names no separate state license for aircraft mechanics. BLS
View source
Where to go next
Every trade on one matrix: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and the tools of the trade.