FAA A&P vs EASA Part-66: How the US and European Aircraft Mechanic Licences Compare
If you hold — or are studying for — an EASA Part-66 licence and wonder how it relates to the US A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) certificate, the honest answer is that these are two separate systems. Here is the plain-English comparison, where the knowledge overlaps, and the path across — with official sources at the foot of the page.
The bottom line
The FAA A&P certificate (14 CFR Part 65) and EASA Part-66 are two separate licensing systems — different regulator, different exam structure, and no automatic recognition between them. EASA Part-66 practice is not a substitute for the FAA written tests, which are built on the FAA handbooks and Airman Certification Standards. But the underlying engineering knowledge overlaps heavily, and aircraft type ratings are the same on either side. If your goal is the US A&P, our sister site amtprep.com is built specifically for the FAA tests.
At a glance
Where the knowledge overlaps
- Core theory is shared — aerodynamics, electrical fundamentals, materials & hardware, gas-turbine and piston theory
- Aircraft type ratings are jurisdiction-neutral — an A320 or 737 type course is the same knowledge either side
- Both offer a school route or a documented-experience route into the certificate
- Both finish with a hands-on competency assessment, not just written exams
Where the systems differ
- Separate regulator (FAA) and regulation (14 CFR Part 65) — no link to EASA
- The FAA tests three subjects (General, Airframe, Powerplant), not 17 modules
- FAA written tests are built on FAA handbooks + the ACS, not the EASA modules
- 70% pass mark (FAA) vs 75% (EASA); no mutual licence recognition
Is the FAA A&P part of “Part 66”?
No. The United States does not use EASA Part-66 at all. US aircraft mechanics are certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 65 (Subpart D — Mechanics). Where EASA issues an Aircraft Maintenance Licence across 17 basic-knowledge modules, the FAA issues a Mechanic certificate with an Airframe rating, a Powerplant rating, or both (“A&P”).
The two systems grew up independently. EASA Part-66 (Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014) organises basic knowledge into Modules 1–17 and licence categories A, B1, B2, B2L, B3, C and L. The FAA structures the same trade around General, Airframe and Powerplant knowledge, assessed by three written tests plus an oral and practical test. Neither authority recognises the other’s licence automatically.
EASA Part-66 vs FAA A&P, side by side
The technical knowledge overlaps, but the framework, exams and licence structure are different. Here is the side-by-side:
| What | EASA Part-66 | FAA A&P (14 CFR Part 65) | Same? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing rule | Part-66 (Reg (EU) No 1321/2014) | 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D | |
| Knowledge structure | 17 basic-knowledge modules | General + Airframe + Powerplant | |
| Written exams † | Module exams, 75% pass | 3 written tests, 70% pass | |
| Practical assessment | Type/practical training + on-the-job | Oral & practical before a DME | |
| Licence categories | A, B1, B2, B2L, B3, C, L | A&P, plus Inspection Authorization (IA) | |
| Entry routes | Part-147 course or experience + exams | Part 147 AMTS, or 18/30 months experience | |
| Aircraft type ratings | A320, A330, 737, A220, B787… | Same type knowledge (jurisdiction-neutral) | |
| Licence recognition | — | No individual EASA ↔ FAA swap |
† The FAA sets the number of questions and the time allowed for each written test (General, Airframe, Powerplant) in the Airman Certification Standards; the 70% minimum pass mark is the FAA standard. Confirm the current test parameters with the FAA or your testing centre before relying on them.
The US A&P certificate structure
14 CFR Part 65 defines a Mechanic certificate with two ratings. Hold one or both:
The two ratings
- A — Airframe — structures, systems, hydraulics, fuel, environmental
- P — Powerplant — reciprocating & turbine engines and their systems
- A&P — both ratings, the standard line-mechanic qualification
- IA — Inspection Authorization, an add-on for experienced A&Ps
Each rating is tested three ways
- Written — a General test plus the Airframe and/or Powerplant test
- Oral — questioning by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME)
- Practical — hands-on tasks demonstrated to the DME
Studying for the US A&P? Meet amtprep.com
Because the FAA written tests follow a different syllabus, EASA Part-66 questions won’t prepare you for them. AMTprep is our sister platform, built specifically for the FAA General, Airframe and Powerplant tests around the Airman Certification Standards — the same way Part66Online is built for the 17 EASA modules.
Holding an EASA Part-66 licence? Moving to the FAA A&P
There is no automatic swap between an EASA licence and an FAA certificate — the US–EU Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement covers approved organisations, not individual mechanics. To earn an FAA A&P you go through the standard FAA route, but your EASA experience can help you qualify to test:
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1. No direct conversion
The FAA does not issue an A&P on the strength of a foreign licence alone — you must meet 14 CFR Part 65 on its own terms.
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2. Document your experience
Show an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that you meet §65.77 — 18 months (single rating) / 30 months (both), or Part 147 graduation. Relevant EASA experience can be assessed toward this.
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3. Get authorisation to test
The FSDO authorises you (Form 8610-2 / IACRA) to sit the FAA written, oral and practical tests.
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4. Pass the FAA tests
Three written tests (General, Airframe, Powerplant), then the oral & practical before a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).
FAA procedures and forms change — always confirm your exact route with the FAA (links below) or your local FSDO before you start.
Which path are you on?
Going for the EASA Part-66 licence? Our question bank covers all 17 modules for the European, UK, Gulf and Asia-Pacific authorities that use the Part-66 standard. Heading for the US A&P instead? The FAA tests are a different syllabus — use AMTprep, our sister site built around the FAA Airman Certification Standards.
Sources
Primary statements on this page come from the eCFR (US federal regulation) and the FAA. Exam-format details (marked † above) come from the FAA’s testing standards and are labelled as secondary. Verify each point directly:
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eCFR — 14 CFR Part 65 (Subpart D, Mechanics) · the federal rule for US mechanic certificates (eligibility, experience, ratings, IA).
ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-65 -
14 CFR §65.77 — Experience requirements · the 18-month / 30-month experience and Part 147 school routes (Cornell LII mirror).
law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/65.77 -
FAA — Become an Aviation Mechanic · the official certification overview (General/Airframe/Powerplant, written + oral + practical).
faa.gov/mechanics -
FAA — Airman Certification Standards (ACS) & knowledge testing · secondary: written-test subjects, question counts, time and pass mark.
faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs -
FAA — IACRA / Form 8610-2 · the application and authorisation-to-test system for the mechanic certificate.
iacra.faa.gov -
AMTprep — FAA A&P test prep · our sister platform for the US General / Airframe / Powerplant tests.
amtprep.com
Information last verified against the sources above: June 2026.
This page is general information to help you compare the two systems, not legal advice. Regulations can change — always confirm your own licensing situation on the official FAA and EASA websites before making decisions.