1.1 Exam Structure, Eligibility & 14 CFR Part 65 Requirements
Key Takeaways
- 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D establishes the regulatory framework for mechanic certification, defining distinct privileges, limitations, and recent experience requirements (§65.71 to §65.83).
- Candidates qualify for the Airframe rating through 18 months of documented practical airframe experience, 30 months of concurrent airframe/powerplant experience for both ratings, or graduation from an FAA-certificated Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS).
- The certification sequence requires passing computer-based knowledge tests (General AMG and Airframe AMA at 70% passing score) followed by the Oral and Practical (O&P) exam administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).
- An Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) expires 24 calendar months after the month in which the written test was completed, under 14 CFR §65.71(a)(3) and (b).
- The Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-1) integrates Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skill elements, directly mapping knowledge test deficiencies to DME oral questioning.
1.1 Exam Structure, Eligibility & 14 CFR Part 65 Requirements
Quick Summary: The FAA Aviation Mechanic — Airframe (AMA) rating is governed by 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D. To earn the certificate, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, fluent in English, qualify through an approved Part 147 school or practical experience (18 months single rating / 30 months concurrent for A&P), pass the 100-question computer-based AMA written exam (70% passing grade, 120-minute limit) and General (AMG) exam, and complete an Oral & Practical (O&P) evaluation with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) within 24 months of testing.
1. Regulatory Framework: 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 65 governs the certification of airmen other than flight crewmembers. Subpart D specifically details the privileges, limitations, eligibility, and testing mandates for aviation mechanics.
Understanding the precise legal structure of Part 65 is essential not only for operational compliance on the hangar floor, but also because regulatory questions represent high-yield items on the FAA General and Airframe examinations.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D │
│ Aviation Mechanics Rules │
└────────────────────┬────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────┐
│ │ │
┌────────┴────────┐ ┌────────┴────────┐ ┌────────┴────────┐
│ Eligibility │ │ Testing & Scope │ │ Privileges & │
│ & Experience │ │ & Retesting │ │ Limitations │
├─────────────────┤ ├─────────────────┤ ├─────────────────┤
│ §65.71 General │ │ §65.75 Knowledge│ │ §65.81 General │
│ §65.73 Ratings │ │ §65.79 Skill │ │ §65.83 Currency │
│ §65.77 Exp. │ │ (DME Oral/Prac) │ │ (6 of 24 mos) │
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
In-Depth Breakdown of Subpart D Regulations
| FAR Section | Title | Key Legal Mandate & Practical Application |
|---|---|---|
| §65.19<br>(Subpart A — applies to all Part 65 tests) | Retesting After Failure | • An applicant who fails a written, oral, or practical test may reapply after 30 days.<br>• The 30-day wait may be waived if the applicant presents a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating sought, certifying that additional instruction was given in each subject failed and that the applicant is ready for retesting.<br>• Citation trap: retesting is §65.19, not §65.49 (which governs air traffic control tower operators). |
| §65.71 | Eligibility Requirements: General | • Minimum age: 18 years old.<br>• Read, write, speak, and understand the English language (or have appropriate operational limitations placed on the certificate if employed outside the U.S. by a U.S. carrier).<br>• Comply with the sections of Subpart D that apply to the rating sought.<br>• §65.71(a)(3): pass all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months. This — not §65.75 — is the regulation behind AKTR expiration.<br>• §65.71(b): a certificated mechanic adding a rating must pass the §65.75 and §65.79 tests for the new rating within 24 calendar months. |
| §65.73 | Ratings | • The FAA issues two distinct ratings on the Mechanic Certificate: Airframe and Powerplant.<br>• The mechanic certificate is a single document; ratings represent individual operational privileges added to that certificate. |
| §65.75 | Knowledge Requirements | • Each applicant must pass a written test, appropriate to the rating sought, covering the aeronautical knowledge subject areas contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant ACS (FAA-S-ACS-1), which §65.75(a) incorporates by reference.<br>• The applicant must pass each section of the test before applying for the oral and practical tests under §65.79.<br>• The 70% minimum passing score is set by FAA airman knowledge testing standards (the Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix and FAA-G-ACS-1), not by the text of §65.75 itself.<br>• A passing applicant is issued an Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). Its 24-calendar-month life comes from §65.71(a)(3) and (b), not from §65.75. |
| §65.77 | Experience Requirements | • Single Rating (Airframe OR Powerplant): At least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, and equipment used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants.<br>• Both Ratings (Airframe AND Powerplant): At least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both ratings.<br>• Or graduation from an FAA-certificated Part 147 school. |
| §65.79 | Skill Requirements | • Each applicant must pass an Oral and Practical (O&P) test administered by an FAA Inspector or Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).<br>• The test evaluates practical bench skills, troubleshooting, inspections, and regulatory compliance aligned with the Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-1). |
| §65.81 | General Privileges and Limitations | • A certificated mechanic may perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations.<br>• Limitation: A mechanic may NOT supervise maintenance or approve work for return to service unless they have satisfactorily performed the work at an earlier date or demonstrated competence to the Administrator.<br>• A mechanic may NOT approve a major repair or major alteration for return to service (requires an Inspection Authorization [IA] under §65.91/§65.95 or appropriate repair station authority). |
| §65.83 | Recent Experience Requirements (Currency) | • A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of their certificate/rating unless within the preceding 24 months they have:<br>1. Served as a mechanic under their certificate and rating for at least 6 months; OR<br>2. Supervised other mechanics for at least 6 months; OR<br>3. Technically supervised aircraft maintenance/alteration for at least 6 months; OR<br>4. Been evaluated and found competent by the Administrator. |
2. Qualifying Pathways: Experience vs. Part 147 AMTS
Before an applicant can sit for the FAA knowledge exams or schedule an O&P with a DME, they must obtain authorization documenting that they meet the statutory requirements of 14 CFR §65.71 and §65.77.
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ Qualifying Pathways for Airframe │
└─────────────────┬─────────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │ │
┌────────┴────────┐ ┌────────┴────────┐ ┌────────┴────────┐
│ Part 147 School │ │ Civilian Exper. │ │ Military Exper. │
├─────────────────┤ ├─────────────────┤ ├─────────────────┤
│ • FAA Approved │ │ • 18 mos (A) │ │ • DD-214 / VMET │
│ • Curriculum │ │ • 30 mos (A&P) │ │ • MOS/AFSC match│
│ • Certificate │ │ • FSDO Interview│ │ • FSDO / JSAMTCC│
│ of Completion │ │ • 8610-2 Signoff│ │ • 8610-2 Signoff│
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
Detailed Comparison of Certification Pathways
| Feature | Part 147 AMTS Graduate | Civilian Practical Experience | Military Aviation Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Authority | 14 CFR Part 147 | 14 CFR §65.77 | 14 CFR §65.77 & FAA Order 8900.1 |
| Time Commitment | 1,400–2,000 curriculum hours (typically 14–24 months) | 18 months (Airframe) or 30 months (Concurrent A&P) | Equivalent active service (typically 30+ months in qualified aviation specialty) |
| Documentation Required | Official Transcript & Certificate of Completion from approved school | Notarized employer letters, detailed task logs, W-2s, signed FAA Form 8610-2 | DD Form 214, VMET (DD-2586), MOS/AFSC training records, JSAMTCC approval letter |
| Approval Process | Direct authorization via school graduation certificate | In-person interview with FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) at a FSDO | In-person interview with FAA ASI at FSDO or military testing coordinator |
| FAA Form 8610-2 | Completed prior to DME practical testing | Must be signed in Section IV by FAA ASI before taking knowledge tests | Must be signed in Section IV by FAA ASI before taking knowledge tests |
| Core Advantage | Structured curriculum covering all ACS elements systematically | Paid on-the-job training; direct real-world line/heavy maintenance exposure | Strong hands-on discipline, heavy systems, turbine, and hydraulic experience |
The 18-Month vs. 30-Month Experience Rule
A critical area of confusion on FAA exams is the difference between single-rating and dual-rating experience thresholds:
- Single Rating (Airframe Only): Requires a minimum of 18 months (approximately 540 days / ~2,880 hours) of practical experience strictly focused on airframe structures, systems, sheet metal, landing gear, hydraulics, and electrical systems.
- Dual Rating (Airframe & Powerplant): Requires a minimum of 30 months of concurrent practical experience. Concurrent means the technician worked simultaneously on airframe structures and powerplant systems during the 30-month calendar span. It does not require $18 + 18 = 36$ months.
3. Computer-Based Testing Logistics & The 3-Test Architecture
To obtain the Airframe mechanic certificate rating, applicants must complete two written exams and one practical battery:
┌───────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────────┐
│ General (AMG) │ + │ Airframe (AMA) │ ──> │ Oral & Practical (O&P)│
│ 60 Questions │ │ 100 Questions │ │ Administered by DME │
│ 120 Mins / 70%+ │ │ 120 Mins / 70%+ │ │ Knowledge, Risk, Skill│
└───────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘ └─────────────────────────┘
Exam Delivery Specifications (PSI Services)
All FAA Airman Knowledge Tests are administered via computer at authorized PSI Testing Centers:
- Test Code:
AMA(Aviation Maintenance Technician — Airframe). - Number of Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions.
- Time Allowed: 120 minutes (2.0 hours).
- Passing Score: 70% (minimum 70 correct answers out of 100).
- Prerequisites for Testing:
- FAA Tracking Number (FTN) generated through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA).
- Government-issued photo identification with current physical address and signature.
- Testing authorization: Two original signed copies of FAA Form 8610-2 (with Section IV endorsed by an FAA ASI) OR an official Certificate of Graduation from a Part 147 school.
Watch the question counts. All three mechanic written tests allow 2.0 hours and require 70%, but they are not the same length. Per the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix and FAA-G-ACS-1: AMG (General) = 60 questions, AMA (Airframe) = 100 questions, AMP (Powerplant) = 100 questions. A common distractor on regulatory items is a "60-question Airframe test" or a "100-question General test."
Test Retake Regulations (14 CFR §65.19)
Retesting after failure is governed by 14 CFR §65.19, a Subpart A rule that applies to every written, oral, and practical test issued under Part 65. It is not §65.49, which is an air traffic control tower operator rule and is a favorite citation distractor.
If an applicant fails the AMA knowledge test (scores below 70%):
- Standard Retake (§65.19(a)): The applicant may apply for retesting after 30 days have elapsed from the date of the failed test.
- Accelerated Retake (§65.19(b)): The applicant may retest before the 30 days expire only by presenting a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating sought, certifying that the airman gave the applicant additional instruction in each of the subjects failed and considers the applicant ready for retesting.
- No Retest for a Higher Score: An applicant who has already passed with 70% or better does not retake the test to improve the score; the AKTR stands until it expires under §65.71(a)(3).
4. The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) Framework
In 2023–2024, the FAA transitioned the mechanic testing system to the Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-1), replacing the legacy Practical Test Standards (PTS). The ACS aligns the knowledge test, oral exam, and practical skills evaluation under a unified matrix.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Airman Certification Standards (ACS) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Knowledge (K): Theoretical understanding, physics, FARs, schematics │
│ • Risk Management (R): Safety hazards, human factors, FOD, toxic chemicals │
│ • Skill (S): Hands-on wrenching, riveting, rigging, wiring, inspection │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Understanding ACS Coding Taxonomy
Every question on the AMA knowledge exam is mapped to a specific ACS code. When an applicant misses a question, the corresponding ACS code is printed on the Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR).
FAA-G-ACS-1 states the structure precisely: the ACS consists of three Sections — General, Airframe, and Powerplant — and each Section contains Subjects. Get the vocabulary right; "Area of Operation" and "Task" belong to the pilot ACS, not the mechanic ACS.
Example Code: AM.II.A.K1
AM= Applicable certificate (Aviation Mechanic).II= Section II: Airframe — the entire airframe discipline, covering both structures and systems. It is not limited to "airframe structures."A= Subject A: Metallic Structures.K1= Knowledge element 1, which for Subject A is "Inspection/testing of metal structures." Sheet metal layout, forming, and drilling is a different element — AM.II.A.K4 — and rivet layout is AM.II.A.K7.
The Airframe Section runs Subject A through Subject O (15 Subjects), and every AMA question maps to one Subject element inside that range.
Direct Impact on the DME Oral & Practical Exam
Written tests list an ACS code for each missed question on the AKTR. Per FAA-G-ACS-1, the applicant presents the original AKTR to the evaluator, and the evaluator assesses the noted areas of deficiency during the oral portion of the practical test — applicants "will be subject to retesting on the subjects identified by the codes shown on the AKTR."
[!IMPORTANT] Missed questions become mandatory oral topics. Codes are tied to elements, so several missed questions that map to the same element collapse into a single deficiency code — the number of codes on your AKTR is not simply "100 minus your score." The incentive is unchanged: the higher your written score, the shorter the deficiency list your DME must work through in the oral.
Under 14 CFR §65.77, what is the minimum practical experience required for an applicant applying for an Airframe rating only via civilian maintenance experience?
To maintain currency and exercise the privileges of an FAA mechanic certificate under 14 CFR §65.83, a certificated mechanic must have performed maintenance under their rating for at least what minimum duration?
An applicant passes the FAA Airframe (AMA) knowledge test on October 15, 2026. Which regulation sets the life of that Airman Knowledge Test Report, and when does it expire if the applicant has not completed the oral and practical tests?
Under the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) coding taxonomy, what does the code 'AM.II.A.K1' designate?