FAA A&P Oral and Practical Exam Requirements: What You Need Before You Test

Your experience brought you this far. Be prepared for the next step.

Passing your FAA written examinations is an important milestone toward earning your Airframe and Powerplant certificate. The next step, for most applicants, is the Oral and Practical examination, commonly called the O&P, with a Designated Mechanic Examiner, or DME. These examinations evaluate whether you can explain aviation maintenance concepts and demonstrate the skills required for the rating you are seeking. Federal Aviation Administration

Before scheduling, make sure you understand your eligibility, required documents, testing deadlines, and preparation needs.

1. Confirm Your FAA Eligibility

For the standard mechanic-certification pathway, applicants must meet the applicable experience or training requirements. This generally means completing an appropriate program at an FAA-certificated Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, or documenting at least 18 months of qualifying practical experience for one rating or 30 months of concurrent qualifying experience for both Airframe and Powerplant. Simply working in aviation for that length of time is not enough—the experience must support the rating sought and be acceptable to the FAA. eCFR

Applicants relying on civilian or military experience generally need FAA authorization on Form 8610-2. Qualifying Part 147 graduates and graduates of the Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) program use their applicable graduation or eligibility documentation and do not require the same FAA testing endorsement. They still complete the mechanic-certificate application. Federal Aviation Administration

For certificate issuance, applicants must also be at least 18 years old and generally be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. A narrow exception exists for certain applicants employed outside the United States by a U.S. air carrier. eCFR

An accelerated preparation course does not replace the FAA’s required experience or qualifying Part 147 training. Preparation helps eligible applicants get ready for examinations; it does not independently establish eligibility. eCFR

2. Complete Your Applicable Written Examinations

Under the standard testing sequence, you must pass the applicable FAA written examinations before applying for the O&P. First-time applicants pursuing both ratings normally complete General, Airframe, and Powerplant knowledge testing. Applicants pursuing one rating or adding a rating should confirm which examinations apply to their situation. eCFR

Keep your Airman Knowledge Test Reports (AKTRs). These reports document your results and are part of the information your examiner needs before testing. Federal Aviation Administration

An FAA-authorized early-testing exception exists under 14 CFR § 65.80 for certain Part 147 students. It is not a general exception for accelerated-preparation students. eCFR

Watch the 24-month testing window

Normally, the required written, oral, and practical examinations must be passed within the applicable 24-month period. Check your test dates before scheduling rather than assuming older results remain usable. Limited regulatory exceptions exist, so have your examiner review any unusual timing situation. eCFR

3. Have Your Documents Ready

Before your appointment, review your paperwork with the examiner. Your document package should include:

• FAA Form 8610-2: For a printed application, prepare two matching originals with the required information and signatures. The FAA testing endorsement depends on your eligibility pathway. Federal Aviation Administration

• Passing AKTRs: Provide the written-test reports applicable to the rating or ratings you are seeking, unless you have an authorized early-testing exception. Federal Aviation Administration

• Current government-issued photo identification: Confirm that your identification meets the examiner’s requirements before traveling. Federal Aviation Administration

• Supporting eligibility documents: Bring your applicable Part 147 graduation documentation, JSAMTCC Certificate of Eligibility, or FAA-authorized experience-based application. Federal Aviation Administration

  
  

A Part 147 graduation certificate or JSAMTCC eligibility certificate does not eliminate the Form 8610-2 application requirement. Applicants adding a rating or returning for a retest should also ask the examiner which existing certificates and prior test records to bring. Federal Aviation Administration

4. Understand What the O&P Evaluates

The FAA uses the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to define the applicable knowledge, risk-management, and skill requirements. Preparation should address understanding, safe decision-making, and hands-on performance—not memorization alone. eCFR

The oral portion: You answer the examiner’s questions verbally without reference materials. Your written-test deficiency codes help identify topics that will be addressed, but even a perfect written score does not eliminate oral testing. Federal Aviation Administration

The practical portion: You perform assigned projects and answer related questions. Reference materials may be used during this portion, and applicants must demonstrate the ability to locate and apply the required information. Federal Aviation Administration

Study across the applicable ACS subjects. You must not know the actual examination selections before testing begins. Federal Aviation Administration

5. Preparing with America’s Best AMT Courses

At America’s Best AMT Courses in Goodyear, Arizona, our 3-Day O&P Practical Exam Accelerator provides personalized oral and hands-on practical review for applicants approaching their examinations. Preparation incorporates ACS-based guidance and review of your written-test results. AMT

For our 3-Day O&P course, applicants must already meet FAA eligibility requirements and have passed all applicable written examinations.

To enroll, complete your course purchase first, then submit the Student Agreement and your requested dates. Provide your AKTRs and eligibility documents so our team can coordinate preparation and examination details.

DME examination fees are separate from course tuition and are paid directly to the examiner. Confirm your examination date, reporting time, location, required documents, and payment arrangements before travel. A reserved appointment does not waive FAA eligibility or examination requirements. AMT

6. Understand the Retesting Requirements

An unsuccessful examination does not necessarily mean waiting 30 days to try again. Under 14 CFR § 65.19, an applicant may apply for retesting after 30 days, or sooner with a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating sought. That statement must confirm that the airman provided additional instruction in each failed subject and considers the applicant ready for retesting. eCFR

Ask your examiner about the required retest documentation, scheduling, and fees before making new travel arrangements.

Ready to Prepare for Your O&P?

Bring your experience, organize your documents, and approach your examinations with a clear plan.

Contact America’s Best AMT Courses to discuss your preparation needs and available course dates.

Goodyear, Arizona | (623) 932-3723Explore the 3-Day O&P Practical Exam Accelerator. AMT

Course participation does not guarantee FAA certification. Applicants must satisfy the applicable FAA requirements and successfully complete the required examinations. eCFR