A&P License

By Kyle Garrett

To earn your A&P certificate you must have at least 30 months of supervised work experience or attend a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified AMT school. After these qualifications are met, you'll be eligible to take and pass written, oral, and practical tests. You must pass all three tests within 24 months of each other. When you pass, you will have earned your FAA mechanic license with airframe and powerplant certificates (A&P license). Learn about aviation maintenance technician training.

A&P License Currency

Although your A&P certificates don't expire, you must remain current by meeting several criteria, including completing a minimum of 1,000 hours hands on work experience during the previous 24 months (or completing a refresher course) and completing at least 16 hours of additional training every 24 months. The additional training requirement is usually satisfied by attending manufacturer events or with outside contractors hired to hold the training.

Avionics Technician Specialty Training

As an A&P mechanic, if you have the training, qualifications, and tools, the FAA will allow you to work on avionics as well. Avionics technicians are not specifically required to have FAA certification if they received their avionics training in the military or from working for an avionics manufacturer.