An A&P license is the FAA credential that authorizes a mechanic to maintain, repair, and return civil aircraft to service. The letters stand for Airframe (A) and Powerplant (P), the two ratings of the FAA Aviation Mechanic certificate. A mechanic can hold one rating or both; holding both is what people mean by an A&P. The certificate is governed by 14 CFR Part 65 and, once earned, it does not expire.
What the A&P License Lets You Do
The A&P defines the legal scope of a mechanic’s work. With both ratings, a technician can sign off on maintenance across most of the aircraft rather than a narrow slice of it. Typical authorized work includes:
- Inspecting aircraft and approving them for return to service
- Repairing and overhauling engines, propellers, and fuel systems (Powerplant)
- Maintaining the fuselage, wings, landing gear, and flight controls (Airframe)
- Performing scheduled maintenance checks required to keep an aircraft airworthy
- Documenting each task in the maintenance records the FAA requires
Some higher-level work, such as approving an aircraft after a major repair or alteration, requires an added Inspection Authorization on top of the A&P. The base certificate still covers the bulk of day-to-day maintenance across airlines, repair stations, and general aviation. A certificated mechanic may also supervise and sign off on work performed by uncertificated helpers, which is how many new technicians build the experience that leads to their own rating.
Airframe and Powerplant License: The Two Ratings
The airframe and powerplant license splits the aircraft into two domains. The Airframe rating covers the structure and its systems: the fuselage, wings, hydraulics, and flight controls. The Powerplant rating covers the engine and its systems: fuel, ignition, exhaust, and propellers. A mechanic can stop at one rating, but most pursue both, because carrying the full A&P increases jobs available and the pay employers offer. For a side-by-side look at the electronics specialty, AIM compares the avionics technician and aircraft mechanic roles. Many mechanics start with one rating to enter the field sooner, then add the second while working, but the FAA issues a single certificate that shows which ratings a mechanic holds.
A&P License Requirements
The FAA sets three gates before it issues the certificate. An applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old and able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Meet the experience requirement: graduate from an FAA-approved Part 147 school, or document 18 months of practical experience for one rating (30 months for both)
- Pass the tests: three written exams (General, Airframe, Powerplant) at 70 percent or higher, then oral and practical exams with a Designated Mechanic Examiner
The school route is the most common because it is structured and usually faster, running about 18 to 24 months. AIM breaks down the full A&P license requirements and, for those weighing the paperwork, why the credential matters in its guide to what an A&P is.
How Long the A&P Takes and What It Pays
A Part 147 program typically takes 18 to 24 months, after which graduates are eligible to test. Aircraft mechanics earned a median of $78,680 a year in May 2024, and the field is projected to grow 5 percent through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Because the certificate does not expire, it stays with a mechanic for life as long as recent-experience rules are met.
Why the A&P Is Worth It
The A&P is the entry opportunity for most aviation maintenance careers. Without it, a worker is limited to supervised tasks; with it, a mechanic can inspect, repair, and release aircraft on their own authority. That authority is why airlines, cargo carriers, and repair stations screen for the certificate first. It also travels well, since the FAA credential is recognized nationwide and opens roles from the flight line to the overhaul shop. With a retiring workforce and a growing global fleet, employers are competing for licensed mechanics, which keeps the certificate valuable long after a technician earns it.
Earn Your A&P at AIM
If the certificate is the goal, an FAA-approved program helps you prepare for the exams. The aviation maintenance training program at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) prepares students for the Airframe and Powerplant tests and the hands-on work employers expect. Request program information to compare campuses and start dates.
