The FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate — universally called the A&P — is the foundational credential for aircraft maintenance professionals in the United States. It authorizes you to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on aircraft, and to approve those aircraft for return to service.
Here is what you need to know about earning it.
What Is the A&P Certificate?
The A&P is actually two certificates in one:
Airframe (A): Authorizes maintenance on the aircraft structure, flight controls, hydraulics, electrical systems, avionics, and everything that is not the engine.
Powerplant (P): Authorizes maintenance on aircraft engines, propellers, and related systems.
Most people earn both at the same time, which is why they are referred to together as the A&P. It is possible to hold only one, but most employers and most maintenance work requires both.
The Three Paths to Eligibility
Path 1 — FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School
This is the most common route. Part 147 schools are FAA-approved programs that provide structured training covering all the knowledge and skill areas required for the A&P certificate.
Part 147 programs typically run 18–24 months for a full Airframe and Powerplant curriculum. You graduate having met the FAA's training hour requirements (1,900 hours for combined A&P) and ready to take the written, oral, and practical tests.
Path 2 — Military Experience
Veterans who worked in aviation maintenance military occupational specialties (MOS) may be eligible to apply directly for A&P certification based on their military experience. The FAA evaluates military training and experience on a case-by-case basis. Contact your local FSDO for evaluation.
Path 3 — General Civil Aviation Experience
The FAA allows applicants to demonstrate eligibility through documented civilian work experience — 18 months for either Airframe or Powerplant alone, or 30 months for combined A&P. This path requires working under a certificated A&P and keeping detailed records of your experience.
Most people find the Part 147 school path cleaner and faster than accumulating work experience, especially since schools provide structured preparation for the tests.
The FAA Tests
Regardless of which path you take to eligibility, all A&P candidates must pass the same three tests for each rating (six tests total for combined A&P):
Written test: Multiple choice questions covering regulations, maintenance theory, materials, and systems. Administered at FAA-approved testing centers.
Oral test: An FAA examiner asks questions to verify your understanding of maintenance theory and regulations.
Practical test: You demonstrate hands-on maintenance skills to the examiner's satisfaction.
All three must be passed within a 24-month window.
What Does Part 147 School Cost?
Part 147 program costs vary significantly by school type and location:
Community colleges with aviation programs: $15,000–$30,000 total for the full program. Often the most affordable option and eligible for federal financial aid.
Private aviation maintenance schools: $35,000–$60,000 total. These programs sometimes offer accelerated schedules or stronger industry placement networks.
For-profit aviation universities: $60,000–$90,000+. Premium cost, often with additional aviation program options.
Financial aid, VA benefits (at approved schools), and employer sponsorship programs can significantly offset these costs.
The A&P Career Outlook
The demand for aviation maintenance technicians is strong and growing. Boeing projects a need for 193,000 new maintenance technicians in North America over the next 20 years. The existing workforce is aging — the average A&P mechanic is in their mid-50s — meaning significant retirement-driven turnover is coming.
Entry-level A&P salaries range from $45,000–$65,000 depending on location and employer. Experienced mechanics at major airlines and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facilities earn $80,000–$120,000 and above. Adding an Inspection Authorization (IA) credential — which requires additional experience beyond the A&P — increases both earning potential and the scope of work you can legally sign off.
How to Find the Right A&P School
Not all Part 147 schools are equal. Factors that matter:
- Completion rates and job placement statistics
- Relationships with regional employers and airlines
- Quality and recency of training equipment and aircraft
- Financial aid availability and veterans benefits approval
- Schedule flexibility (some schools offer evening and weekend programs)
Aeradex matches students with FAA Part 147 A&P schools based on their state, schedule, budget, and career goals — for free.
Find A&P Schools Near Me →
The Bottom Line
The A&P certificate is a durable, federally recognized credential that opens doors across the aviation industry — from small general aviation shops to major airlines to aircraft manufacturers. The path requires real commitment — 18–24 months of school and six FAA tests — but the career outcomes are strong and the demand is not going away.
If you are considering aviation maintenance as a career, the shortage of qualified technicians means the market is in your favor.