How to Get Your A&P License Through OJT Experience

In short: To earn your FAA A&P certificate through on-the-job training, you need 30 months of documented maintenance experience (18 months for Airframe or Powerplant alone), a signed FAA Form 8610-2 from your local FSDO authorizing you to test, and passing scores on all nine A&P tests (three written, three oral, three practical) within a 24-month window. The OJT pathway is defined under 14 CFR 65.77 and is evaluated by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI).

OJT vs. Part 147 School: Which Path Is Right for You?

There are two legal pathways to an A&P certificate: a Part 147-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) or documented on-the-job experience under 14 CFR 65.77. Here is how they compare:

How Many Months of Experience Do You Need? (14 CFR 65.77)

The foundational regulation for getting your A&P license through on-the-job training is 14 CFR 65.77. It defines the experience required:

• 18 months of practical experience for either Airframe (A) or Powerplant (P) individually
• 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing duties for both Airframe and Powerplant ratings

This experience must include procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants appropriate to the rating sought.

General Eligibility — 14 CFR 65.71A

To be eligible for an aircraft mechanic certificate (A&P rating), you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English (in the United States)
• Pass all prescribed tests within a 24-month period

What Are the 9 FAA A&P Tests?

To earn your A&P certificate, you must pass all nine tests within 24 months of your first test:

1. General Written
2. General Oral
3. General Practical
4. Airframe Written
5. Airframe Oral
6. Airframe Practical
7. Powerplant Written
8. Powerplant Oral
9. Powerplant Practical

Important: Once you start your first test (General Written), the 24-month clock begins. You must complete all remaining tests within that window or retake the ones that expire.

Written Tests — 14 CFR 65.75

Each applicant must pass a written test covering the aeronautical knowledge subject areas in the Aviation Mechanics General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS). You must pass the written test for each section before you can take the oral and practical portions.

Oral & Practical Tests — 14 CFR 65.79

Each applicant must pass an oral and practical test demonstrating satisfactory understanding of knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject in the ACS. The testing standards are the ACS (Airman Certification Standards) — this should be a core part of your study material.

FAA Evaluation of Experience — FAA Order 8900.1

FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 2, Paragraph 5-1134 outlines how the FAA evaluates your experience:

• You must have documented experience in at least 50% of the ACS subject areas applicable to the rating sought
• If pursuing the experience route, you must go through your local FSDO (Flight Standards District Office) to get authorization to test
• Part-time experience is evaluated against a 40-hour work week standard (8 hours/day, 5 days/week, ~160 hours/month)
• Time is cumulative but does not need to be consecutive

What Is FAA Form 8610-2 and How Do I Get One Signed?

The FAA Form 8610-2 is the Application for a Mechanic Certificate or Rating. This is the form you fill out and bring to the FSDO along with all your documented experience.

• Must be filled out and signed by an ASI (Aviation Safety Inspector) at the FSDO before you take any tests
• You must meet the experience requirements of 65.77 before submitting this form
• Pages 4 and 5 of the form contain instructions for each section — read them carefully
• Once the ASI signs Block V of the form, you are authorized to begin testing

The relevant ACS code for this topic is AM.II.K5 — Purpose and use of FAA Form 8610-2.

Document Checklist for Your FSDO Visit

Bring originals and copies of every document below. The ASI will not accept undocumented claims of experience — the more evidence you can produce, the smoother the review.

• Employer letters on company letterhead, signed, stating your dates of employment, job title, and the types of maintenance tasks you performed
• Pay stubs spanning your employment period (first, last, and periodic samples are fine)
• W-2 forms or 1099s covering the full claim period
• DD-214 and military service records, if applicable — plus any formal training certificates (e.g., Navy "A" school, Air Force technical school)
• Task logs or work journals tied to specific ACS subjects (e.g., sheet metal repair, engine teardown, electrical troubleshooting). Purpose-built tools like Grease Pilot's OJT tracker keep these organized by ACS subject automatically so the FSDO review goes faster.
• Signed statements from supervising A&Ps or IAs verifying the work you performed under their oversight
• Photo identification (driver's license or passport) and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA
• A completed draft of FAA Form 8610-2 — the ASI will review and sign Block V on the spot if your experience qualifies

How Long Does the OJT Pathway Take in Real Time?

The 30-month requirement in 14 CFR 65.77 assumes a standard 40-hour work week. Real-calendar timelines vary:

• Full-time mechanic (40 hr/week): The clock runs at 1:1. Thirty months of employment equals 30 months of credit.
• Overtime-heavy (50–60 hr/week): Extra hours count. A candidate working 50 hours/week banks 30 months of credit in roughly 24 calendar months.
• Part-time (20 hr/week): Credit accrues at half speed. Expect ~60 calendar months to reach 30 months of credit.
• Military veteran: The DD-214 and service records usually satisfy the full 30 months in a single review, assuming your MOS/rating covered both airframe and powerplant work.

After experience is approved, plan 3–6 additional months for the testing phase: study prep, scheduling the three written tests at a PSI testing center, and booking the oral and practical with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

How Much Does the A&P Certificate Cost via OJT?

OJT is the budget path. Expect these approximate costs in 2026:

• FSDO experience review and Form 8610-2 signoff: free
• Written tests: ~$175 each × 3 tests = ~$525 at a PSI testing center
• Oral & Practical tests with a DME: ~$900–$1,500 per rating (General, Airframe, Powerplant) — so ~$2,700–$4,500 combined
• Study materials: ~$100–$400 for textbooks, ACS prep guides, and practice-test access
• Grease Pilot OJT tracking software: $29.95/month — logs your hours by ACS subject, captures digital supervisor sign-offs, and generates an FSDO-ready PDF package. Most students subscribe for the 24–36 months they're actively accumulating experience.

Total out-of-pocket: roughly $3,500–$5,500 for the full A&P. Compare that to $15,000–$60,000 for Part 147 tuition — the cost advantage is why OJT remains the most popular pathway for working mechanics and military veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many months of experience do I need for an A&P license through OJT?

Under 14 CFR 65.77, you need 30 months of practical experience for the combined Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. If you only want one rating, you need 18 months. The FAA measures this in calendar months of employment at a 40-hour-per-week standard — you must be working on both airframe and powerplant tasks during that time to qualify for the combined A&P.

What is the step-by-step process for getting an A&P through experience instead of attending a Part 147 school?

The OJT pathway involves five steps: (1) Accumulate 30 months of documented maintenance experience. (2) Gather your evidence — employer letters on company letterhead, pay stubs, W-2s, or military service records. (3) Contact your local FSDO and schedule an experience review. (4) If approved, the FSDO inspector endorses your FAA Form 8610-2, authorizing you to test. (5) Pass the written, oral, and practical exams for each rating through a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

Does military aircraft maintenance experience count toward the A&P license?

Yes. Military experience is one of the most common OJT pathways. The same 14 CFR 65.77 requirements apply. Bring your DD-214, service records, and training certificates to your local FSDO for review. Note that some military specialties (e.g., avionics-only) may only qualify for one rating. The DoD COOL program and SkillBridge can help transitioning service members bridge any gaps in experience.

Can I do the OJT pathway part-time while holding another job?

Yes. FAA Order 8900.1 measures experience against a 40-hour-per-week standard, but time does not have to be consecutive. Part-time maintenance work accrues credit proportionally — 20 hours per week roughly doubles the calendar time needed. Keep dated task logs and pay stubs so the ASI can verify the hours during your FSDO review.

• 14 CFR 65.77 — Experience Requirements
• 14 CFR 65.71 — Eligibility Requirements
• 14 CFR 65.75 — Knowledge Requirements
• 14 CFR 65.79 — Skill Requirements
• Find Your Local FSDO Office
• FAA Form 8610-2 — Mechanic Certificate Application

• 14 CFR 65.77: 18 months experience for A or P individually, or 30 months for both A&P concurrently
• FAA Form 8610-2 is the application you fill out and take to your local FSDO once your experience requirements are met
• Experience (part-time or full-time) must add up to full-time hours (40 hrs/week) — does not have to be consecutive
• You must document experience in at least 50% of the ACS subjects for the area you are testing for (General, Airframe, or Powerplant)
• Once you begin testing, you have 24 months to pass all nine tests