How to take the A&P General test

The steps

1. Get authorization to test. If you are qualifying on experience, fill out FAA Form 8610-2 and present it to an Aviation Safety Inspector at a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). The inspector evaluates your experience and, if you meet the requirements, signs the form “authorizing you to test.” If you graduated from an FAA mechanic school, you do not need to take the form to an inspector; your graduation certificate is your authorization. [FAA mechanic FAQ]
2. Get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN). If you do not have one, you must register for one before the knowledge test. You do that through IACRA, the FAA’s online application system, though the FAA says IACRA is “not yet programmed to accept Aviation Mechanic certificate applications,” so the certificate application itself is on paper. [FAA mechanic FAQ]
3. Book the test. Make an appointment with an Airman Knowledge Testing Center. The tests are “administered through commercial, FAA-approved testing centers,” and the FAA sends you to PSI to find a center and schedule. Bring your signed Form 8610-2, or your school graduation certificate. [FAA mechanic FAQ]
4. Take the test. You have up to two hours for the General test. [FAA mechanic FAQ]
5. Keep your test report. You will need it for the oral and practical. A passing score is 70% or greater. [FAA mechanic FAQ] What happens next.

If you are still in school

You can take the General test before you meet the experience requirement if you present an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school showing you completed the General part of the curriculum, with the completion date. [14 CFR §65.75(c)]

What to bring

The FAA’s identification rules say your ID must be valid and current, and must include all of these: a photo, your date of birth, your signature and your physical, residential address. [FAA testing matrix p.6] U.S. citizens and resident aliens can use an identification card issued by any U.S. state, territory or government entity, a passport, or an alien residency card. The matrix lists what non-citizens need and what counts as proof of address. [FAA testing matrix p.6]

What it costs

The FAA does not publish the fee. The FAA’s FAQ says: “You may contact PSI for additional information on testing fees.” [FAA mechanic FAQ] We do not list a number because the FAA does not.

Some people test at no cost. Under an agreement between the FAA and the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council, these groups can take their knowledge tests free: active-duty, guard and reserve personnel, their dependents, U.S. military retirees, and Defense and Homeland Security civilians. [FAA mechanic FAQ]

The FAA does not charge for issuing the certificate itself. [FAA mechanic FAQ]

If you fail

You can retest after 30 days. You can retest sooner if you present a signed statement from an airman who holds the certificate and rating you are after, saying they gave you additional instruction in each subject you failed and consider you ready. [14 CFR §65.19]

When you retest after a failure, you submit your failed test report to the testing center first. [FAA testing matrix p.6]

The 24-month rule

To be eligible for a mechanic certificate you must have “passed all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months.” [14 CFR §65.71(a)(3)] Part 65 prescribes the written test [14 CFR §65.75] and the oral and practical [14 CFR §65.79].