A&P School vs the 30-Month Experience Route

Updated October 16, 2026 · Written and reviewed by the Wrench & Wing editorial team

Part 147 school graduation qualifies you to test
Experience: 18 months (A or P) or 30 months (both)
Experience must be documented and acceptable to the FAA

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The two FAA routes (14 CFR Part 65)

The mechanic certificate rules are in 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D. You must be at least 18, read, write, speak and understand English, and pass three tests: written (knowledge), oral, and practical (§65.71, §65.75).

School route: graduate from an FAA-certificated Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school (§65.77(b)).
Experience route: documented practical experience: 18 months for airframe or powerplant, or 30 months working on both at the same time (§65.77(a)).
Military experience can also qualify. See the FAA's "become a mechanic" page.

Trade-offs

	Part 147 school	Experience route
Cost	Tuition varies by school	Usually no tuition; you need a job that gives qualifying experience
Time	Set by program length	18 or 30 months minimum
Paperwork	Graduation certificate	Detailed records an FAA inspector must accept

Experience route: FAA Form 8610-2 checklist

Experience-route applicants apply on FAA Form 8610-2 (Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application). The FAA's experience page explains the process. Have ready:

Records of your practical experience (for example pay stubs, logbooks, letters from supervisors or employers) showing dates and types of work
Proof that the experience matches the rating(s) sought: 18 months for airframe or powerplant, 30 months for both (§65.77)
A completed 8610-2 for an FAA inspector to review; if approved it authorizes you to take the knowledge tests
Government photo ID

Requirements can change; confirm with the FAA or your local Flight Standards District Office.

According to the ATEC/Oliver Wyman 2026 Pipeline Report, the FAA issued a record 11,103 new mechanic certificates in 2025 (7,496 via Part 147 schools; 1,375 military). Part 147 enrollment was 27,740, with about 62% of seats filled, and about 44% of certificated mechanics are over 60. Shortfall estimates in that report are consultancy projections.

Questions and answers

Can I get an A&P without school?

Yes. 14 CFR 65.77 allows 18 months of documented practical experience for one rating, or 30 months for both, instead of graduating from a Part 147 school.

What is FAA Form 8610-2?

It is the Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application. Experience-route applicants have it reviewed by an FAA inspector, who authorizes testing if the experience qualifies.

Related guides

Pay and outcomes vary; no job or pay is guaranteed. Informational only. Not affiliated with the FAA or any school. No school pays to appear on this site.