Frequently asked questions

No. Military experience can count, but you still have to show documented, verifiable experience that an FAA inspector accepts. Some specialties qualify for a JSAMTCC Certificate of Eligibility, which can make that review simpler, but the FAA still decides.

No. Under 14 CFR 65.71 you must be at least 18, be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, and pass all required tests within 24 months, plus meet the experience or school requirement.

No. The rule is 18 months of practical experience for one rating (Airframe or Powerplant), or 30 months of concurrent experience for both. Graduating from a Part 147 school replaces the experience requirement.

Not necessarily. The Mapper is for orientation only. It uses our own simplified assumptions (like converting hours to months) that are not FAA policy. Only an FAA inspector reviewing your documentation can authorize you to test.

Not always. Inspectors look for hands-on experience appropriate to the rating you're seeking, across a range of systems. Narrow specialist experience may need to be supplemented.

Commonly: your DD-214, Joint Services Transcript (JST), training and qualification records, and signed letters from supervisors describing your duties, the aircraft you worked on, and the dates. Your local FSDO can tell you what it expects.

It's the application an FAA inspector signs to authorize you to take the mechanic tests based on your experience. You bring your documentation to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for review.

The Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council issues certificates of eligibility for certain military specialties. Ask your education office whether yours qualifies.

Often, yes. Many members gather records and take tests before separating. DoD SkillBridge may also let eligible members train with an industry employer during their last months of service.

Possibly. Service COOL programs may fund credentials tied to your specialty, and the GI Bill can reimburse licensing and certification test fees. Check eligibility before you pay.

Knowledge (written) tests for General, Airframe, and/or Powerplant, taken at an FAA-approved testing center, plus an oral and practical test given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

Yes. Under 14 CFR 65.71 you must pass all of the required tests within a 24-month period.

The FAA's designee locator lists Designated Mechanic Examiners. Wait times and fees vary, so contact a few early.

As a rough guide: each knowledge test is a few hundred dollars or less at the testing center, and examiner fees for the oral and practical commonly run $1,000–$3,000 or more. Confirm current prices directly.

No. ArcPath is an independent project of YellowArc LLC. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.

Yes. Everything you enter in the Mapper stays in your browser. It is never sent to us. You can clear it at any time.

Not yet. Current listings are samples to show how the jobs page works. They're labeled "Sample" and will be replaced with employer-confirmed listings.