How to Get Your FAA A&P License in 2026
- America's Best AMT Team
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
Complete Guide for Experienced Aircraft Maintenance Technicians
If you have real-world aircraft maintenance experience and want to become FAA certified, earning your A&P license can open the door to better pay, stronger career opportunities, and long-term growth in aviation.
An A&P license is officially known as an FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings. The Airframe rating covers aircraft structures, systems, flight controls, landing gear, electrical systems, and other aircraft-related areas. The Powerplant rating covers engines, fuel systems, ignition systems, propellers, turbine engines, reciprocating engines, and related systems.
Most aircraft mechanics choose to earn both ratings, commonly called an “A&P.”
At America’s Best AMT Courses in Goodyear, Arizona, we specialize in helping qualified applicants prepare for the FAA testing process through accelerated, hands-on A&P preparation. Through America’s Best AMT Mexico, we also assist experienced aircraft maintenance technicians in Mexico who are seeking a structured pathway toward FAA certification.
This guide explains how to get your FAA A&P license in 2026, what the requirements are, and how to move through the process the right way.
What Is an FAA A&P License?
An FAA A&P license allows a certificated mechanic to perform, supervise, and approve certain aircraft maintenance work in accordance with FAA regulations.
The certificate may include:
Airframe rating
Powerplant rating
Both Airframe and Powerplant ratings
A mechanic with both ratings is commonly referred to as an A&P mechanic.
This certification is highly respected across airlines, MROs, corporate aviation, general aviation, cargo operators, helicopter companies, and repair stations.
FAA A&P Requirements in 2026
There are two main ways to qualify for FAA A&P testing.
Option 1: Experience Path
This is for applicants who gained practical maintenance experience through military aviation, civilian aircraft maintenance, repair stations, airlines, MROs, or international aviation work.
In general:
18 months of practical experience may qualify you for one rating: Airframe or Powerplant.
30 months of practical experience may qualify you for both Airframe and Powerplant.
Your experience must be practical, documented, and related to aircraft maintenance duties.
Option 2: FAA Part 147 School Path
This path is for students who graduate from an FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School.
A Part 147 school provides formal aviation maintenance education and allows graduates to test for their FAA mechanic certificate after completing the approved program.
America’s Best AMT Courses is not a Part 147 school. We are an accelerated FAA A&P preparation program designed for applicants who already have qualifying aviation maintenance experience or proper FAA authorization to test.
Step 1: Determine If You Qualify
Before starting an A&P prep course, the first question is simple:
Do you already have the aircraft maintenance experience needed to qualify?
Common qualifying backgrounds include:
Military aircraft maintenance
Airline maintenance
MRO maintenance
Repair station work
General aviation maintenance
Helicopter maintenance
Corporate aircraft maintenance
International aircraft maintenance experience
For Mexico-based applicants, America’s Best AMT Mexico helps review aviation maintenance background, AFAC experience, documentation, and FAA pathway options.
Step 2: Gather Your Documentation
If you are using the experience path, documentation matters.
You may need:
Resume
Employment verification letters
Training records
Military records, if applicable
Logbooks or maintenance records, when available
Job descriptions
Certificates or licenses
Supervisor letters
Proof of hands-on maintenance duties
Your goal is to clearly show the FAA that your experience meets the requirements for the rating you are seeking.
For Mexican aircraft maintenance technicians, documentation may include AFAC license information, employer letters, maintenance experience summaries, and aviation training history.
Step 3: Complete the FAA 8610-2 Process
FAA Form 8610-2 is the application used for Airman Certificate and/or Rating authorization.
If you are applying based on experience, you normally work with a Flight Standards District Office, known as a FSDO, or an International Field Office when applicable.
An FAA inspector reviews your documentation and determines whether you meet the experience requirements to test.
If approved, your 8610-2 will be signed, allowing you to begin the FAA testing process.
This is one of the most important steps. Without proper authorization, you cannot move forward with testing through the experience route.
Step 4: Prepare for the FAA Written Exams
To earn both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, applicants must complete three FAA written exams:
General
Airframe
Powerplant
The General exam is normally taken first, followed by Airframe and/or Powerplant.
At America’s Best AMT Courses, students prepare in a structured, accelerated environment. The goal is not just memorization. The goal is understanding the material well enough to move through written testing and prepare for the oral and practical exams.
Our program is designed for experienced technicians who already know aircraft maintenance but need help preparing for the FAA testing format.
Step 5: Prepare for the Oral and Practical Exams
After passing the written exams, applicants must complete the oral and practical testing with a Designated Mechanic Examiner, commonly called a DME.
The oral exam tests your ability to explain aviation maintenance knowledge.
The practical exam tests your ability to perform or demonstrate maintenance tasks.
This is where many applicants struggle if they only studied written test questions. The oral and practical exams require deeper understanding.
America’s Best AMT Courses focuses heavily on oral and practical preparation because we know this is where certification is truly earned.
Step 6: Complete Testing and Earn Your Certificate
Once you complete the required written, oral, and practical exams, you can receive your FAA Mechanic Certificate with the rating or ratings you earned.
For most experienced technicians, the goal is to earn both Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
That A&P certificate can help open doors to:
Airline maintenance jobs
MRO positions
Corporate aviation
Helicopter maintenance
Cargo aviation
General aviation
Contract maintenance
International career opportunities
How Long Does It Take to Get an A&P License?
The full timeline depends on your background.
If you still need experience, it can take years to qualify.
If you already have the required experience and your 8610-2 authorization, the certification process can move much faster.
America’s Best AMT Courses offers accelerated A&P preparation for qualified applicants.
Our 12-Day A&P Certification Program is built for experienced technicians who are ready to prepare, test, and move forward efficiently.
Why Choose America’s Best AMT Courses?
America’s Best AMT Courses is designed for serious applicants who already have maintenance experience and want a focused path toward FAA certification.
Our advantages include:
Accelerated A&P preparation
FAA written test preparation
Oral and practical preparation
PSI testing available on site
DME testing support
Experienced aviation instructors
Support for military applicants
Support for international applicants
Clear step-by-step guidance
Located in Goodyear, Arizona
We understand the process because we work with applicants every day who are moving from experience to certification.
America’s Best AMT Mexico
America’s Best AMT Mexico was created to help experienced Mexican aircraft maintenance technicians understand the FAA certification pathway.
Many technicians in Mexico already have years of hands-on aviation experience. The challenge is understanding how to organize documentation, prepare for FAA requirements, and move through the certification process correctly.
America’s Best AMT Mexico helps guide qualified applicants through:
Initial qualification review
Documentation preparation
FAA pathway education
A&P certification planning
English and technical readiness
Course preparation options
Career pathway discussions
Our goal is to help experienced technicians move from aviation experience to FAA certification and stronger career opportunities.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
Many applicants delay their certification because they do not understand the process.
Common mistakes include:
Waiting too long to start the 8610-2 process
Not gathering proper documentation
Assuming experience automatically qualifies
Studying only written test questions
Not preparing for oral and practical testing
Choosing a course before confirming eligibility
Not understanding the difference between Part 147 and experience-based qualification
The best approach is to get guidance early and build a clear plan before spending time or money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to attend a Part 147 school to get my A&P?
Not always. If you have qualifying aircraft maintenance experience, you may be able to qualify through the FAA experience path.
What is the 8610-2?
FAA Form 8610-2 is the application used to request authorization to test for an FAA mechanic certificate or rating.
Can military aviation experience count?
Yes, military aviation maintenance experience may count if it meets FAA requirements and is properly documented.
Can international experience count?
International experience may be considered, but documentation and FAA review are very important. America’s Best AMT Mexico helps experienced technicians understand this pathway.
How many written exams are required for A&P?
For both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, applicants normally complete General, Airframe, and Powerplant written exams.
Do I still have to take oral and practical exams?
Yes. The FAA certification process includes written, oral, and practical testing.
Where is America’s Best AMT Courses located?
America’s Best AMT Courses is located in Goodyear, Arizona.
Final Thoughts
Getting your FAA A&P license in 2026 can be one of the best career moves an experienced aircraft maintenance technician can make. The key is understanding the process, confirming eligibility, preparing correctly, and choosing a program that understands FAA testing from start to finish.
America’s Best AMT Courses helps qualified applicants move through accelerated A&P preparation with structure, support, and real aviation experience behind the training. For experienced aircraft maintenance technicians in Mexico, America’s Best AMT Mexico provides a dedicated pathway to help applicants understand the FAA certification process and prepare for future opportunities.
If you are ready to move from experience to FAA certification, the first step is simple: Get your documentation ready, confirm your eligibility, and begin the process. America’s Best AMT Courses and America’s Best AMT Mexico are here to help you move forward.
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