International A&P Certification Walkthrough Guide

FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certification for Non-U.S. Citizens

This guide provides a step-by-step, regulator-accurate walkthrough for international mechanics pursuing FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification.
Most delays occur due to incorrect sequencing, missing paperwork, or visa misunderstandings. Follow the steps below carefully.

Step 1: FAA Experience Review Through an International Field Office (IFO)

All international applicants must first have their maintenance experience reviewed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

⚠️ Do not attempt to schedule exams before this step is complete.

For foreign applicants outside of the US, this review is conducted through the FAA International Field Office (IFO) assigned to your country.

🔗 FAA International Field Offices directory: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/ifo

What this step includes:

• How the FAA Reviews Your Experience (International Applicants)

  Before you can test, the FAA must decide if your experience is acceptable. This is done by an FAA inspector using FAA Order 8900.1.

• Application Process
  You request permission to test for Airframe, Powerplant, or both (A&P). The FAA will review your experience before allowing you to move forward.

• Experience Evaluation
  The inspector must confirm three things: your experience is hands-on (practical work), related to the rating you want, and meets the required time. Time alone is not enough. The work you performed must be relevant.
  The FAA does not accept foreign mechanic licenses by themselves as qualification. A license can support your application, but it does not replace required experience.
  Acceptable experience includes work on non-U.S. registered aircraft, foreign military aviation, and experience outside the United States. All experience is evaluated the same way: what work you performed, if it applies to the rating, and if it can be documented and verified.

• Required Documentation
  You must provide clear documentation of your experience. This usually includes employer letters, description of work performed, and dates of employment. Your documents must clearly explain what you worked on, what tasks you performed, and how long you performed them. If the information is unclear, it may not be accepted.

• Scope of Experience
  The inspector will check if your experience covers enough areas. Your experience must match the rating and cannot be limited to one small task or specialty. For example, only doing tires or sheet metal is not enough. You must show experience across multiple systems.

• Verification
  The inspector may contact your employer, ask you questions, and review your documents in detail. If your experience cannot be verified, it will not be accepted.

• FAA Decision
  The inspector will either issue FAA Form 8610-2, approve only one rating, or deny the application.

• Important Notes
  The FAA does not approve based on job title alone. The FAA does not accept unclear or vague experience. Your experience must be verifiable and must match the rating you request.

• Summary
  To be approved, you must have hands-on experience, clearly show the work you performed, demonstrate experience across multiple systems, and provide documentation that can be verified. If the inspector cannot clearly understand or verify your experience, you will not be approved to test.

Step 2: Designate a U.S. Agent for Service (Required)

Under 14 CFR § 3.303, all non-U.S. citizens applying for FAA certificates must designate a U.S. Agent for Service.

The FAA provides official guidance in:

📘 FAA Advisory Circular AC 3-1 – Designation of U.S. Agent for Service
🔗 https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_3-1.pdf

Key requirements:

• A real person or business entity

• Physical U.S. address (P.O. boxes are not acceptable)

• Does not need to be an aviation professional

• Must be kept current at all times

Purpose:
The Agent for Service allows the FAA to deliver legal notices, enforcement actions, and official correspondence inside the United States.

✅ Best practice: Complete this step before or concurrent with FAA Form 8610-2 issuance.

Step 3: FAA Form 8610-2 Issuance

Once:

• Your experience is approved by the IFO, and

• Your Agent for Service designation is on file

The FAA issues FAA Form 8610-2, authorizing testing for:

• Airframe

• Powerplant

• Or both

You may not test without this form.

Step 4: Travel to the United States for Written (Knowledge) Exams

All international applicants must physically travel to the United States to take FAA Written (Knowledge) Exams.

• Overseas or remote testing is not permitted

• Exams are administered by PSI / Talogy

Recommended Testing Location

📍 Dover, Delaware
Written exams are available at the Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance (PSAM).

Step 5: Optional A&P Written Exam Preparation

PSAM offers a two-week A&P written exam prep program, ideal for international applicants who:

• Hold an approved FAA Form 8610-2

• Are traveling to the U.S. specifically for testing

• Want to minimize retest risk and travel costs

Step 6: Visa Planning (B-2 Visitor Visa)

Most international applicants will require a B-2 Visitor Visa to:

• Travel to the United States

• Attend exam prep training

• Sit for FAA Written and O&P exams

Visa processing is handled by the U.S. Department of State.

🔗 Official B-2 Visitor Visa information:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

⚠️ Always confirm visa approval before booking exams or travel.

Step 7: Oral & Practical (O&P) Exams

After passing the Written exams, applicants may schedule Oral & Practical (O&P) tests with an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

• Exams are conducted in the United States

• Administered under FAA-S-ACS-1

• All documentation must be current and complete

B-2 Visa FAQ (Exam-Specific)

Can I work in the U.S. on a B-2 visa?
No. The B-2 visa is strictly for visiting, training, and testing. Employment is prohibited.

Is FAA testing allowed on a B-2 visa?
Yes. FAA knowledge testing, oral exams, and practical exams are permitted.

Can I attend exam prep training on a B-2 visa?
Yes, provided the training is short-term and non-credit.

How long does B-2 processing take?
Processing times vary by country and embassy. Apply early.

Correct Sequence Summary

1. FAA IFO experience review

2. U.S. Agent for Service designated (AC 3-1)

3. FAA Form 8610-2 issued

4. Travel to the United States

5. Written (Knowledge) exams

6. Oral & Practical exams

FAA-DME.com | Examiner Guidance for International Applicants

This guide is maintained by Jesse Hauch, FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME), to help international applicants avoid common delays caused by:

• Incorrect paperwork sequencing

• Missing Agent for Service designations

• Visa misunderstandings

• Testing scheduled too early

📧 Contact: jhauch@faa-dme.com

If you are planning FAA A&P certification from outside the United States and want your process done correctly the first time, examiner-level guidance is available.