Testing Matrix
Testing Matrix
MATRIX
January 27, 2025
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Federal Tracking Number (FTN):
Airman applicants, WHO DO NOT ALREADY HAVE AN FTN, should establish an FTN, by creating a profile in
the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) System, PRIOR TO taking an FAA Airman
Knowledge Test. This FTN is printed on the applicant’s Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR).
Notes:
• The information, in the table above, may be presented in more than one form.
• If the acceptable form(s) of identification (as listed in the table above) does not include valid and current
proof of the applicant’s physical/residential address, the applicant may utilize their parent’s
physical/residential address; or the applicant may provide proof of their physical/residential address by
presenting one of the Acceptable Forms of Applicant Address Verification listed on page 4 of this
document. Examples of an unacceptable physical/residential address are a post office box, rural route,
flight school address (unless the applicant resides at the school), or a commercial business/employer
address.
• In the case of an applicant under the age of 18, who does not possess an acceptable form(s) of
identification, a parent or legal guardian is required to accompany the applicant, and after presenting
identification as described in the above table, may attest to the applicant’s identity.
• An applicant, who does not possess a passport, due to asylum status, may present government-issued
documentation, to an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or FAA International Field Office (IFO),
for approval as an acceptable form of identification, in lieu of a passport. The FSDO or IFO will contact the
FAA’s Testing Standards Section with notification of approval or disapproval.
Acceptable Forms of Age Verification
• An applicant must present state or federal government-issued photo identification as proof they
are at least the minimum eligibility age required for the requested knowledge test as listed in the
applicable table of this document and as stated in the applicable portion(s) of 14 CFR Part 61,
sections (§§) 61.35(a)(3), 61.96(b)(1), 61.103(a)(b), 61.123(a), 61.153(a), 61.183(a),
61.213(a)(1), 61.305(a)(1); or 14 CFR Part 65, § 65.53(a).
• Refer to the applicable certification/rating page of this document for specific information on
acceptable forms of airman knowledge test and retest authorization.
• For a test taken on or before January 10, 2020, an applicant no longer possessing an AKTR
may navigate here for instructions on securing a replacement.
• For a test taken on or after January 13, 2020, an applicant no longer possessing an AKTR
may navigate to the PSI Website to print a duplicate.
o Test Codes, NOT highlighted in blue, indicate the corresponding test has Learning
Statement Codes (LSCs) displayed on the resulting AKTR. Matching the LSCs, printed on
the AKTR, with the associated Learning Statements, assists in the evaluation of subject areas
shown to be deficient on the knowledge test. The Learning Statement Reference Guide for
Airman Knowledge Testing is available here.
o Test Codes, highlighted in blue, indicate the corresponding test has Airman Certification
Standards (ACS) Codes displayed on the resulting AKTR. Matching the ACS Codes, printed
on the AKTR, with the associated code descriptions, assists in the evaluation of subject areas
shown to be deficient on the knowledge test. ACS Codes are displayed ONLY on AKTRs for
knowledge tests taken after the effective date of the corresponding ACS document. The
ACS documents are available here.
Validation Questions
• Any of the tests, described in this Matrix, may include validation questions, which are questions
used to accumulate data for statistical analysis of test question validity and performance.
o Validation questions are NOT scored, and do NOT count for or against the applicant’s final
test score.
o The listed “ALLOTTED TIME” includes the time required to respond to validation
questions.
• The proctor scans and verifies electronic capture of any identification and authorization documents presented
at the time of applicant processing.
• FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors (as
amended)
• A U.S. pilot wishing to obtain a Canadian license, or a Canadian pilot wishing to obtain a U.S.
certificate, should review FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 61-135, Conversion Process for Pilot
Certificates in Accordance with the Implementation Procedures for Licensing as Part of the Bilateral
Aviation Safety Agreement Between the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil
Aviation Authority for Pilot Licensing (as amended)
• Mortgage statement
• Letter, on official letterhead, signed by a school/university staff/faculty member, stating the applicant
resides at that school/university
• Property deed
*The ATM airman knowledge test has a validity period of 60 calendar months.
Authorization for ALL tests listed above (except ACM and ATM):
• NO instructor endorsement or other form of written authorization is required for an initial attempt. (14 CFR
§§ 61.153(f), 63.51, and 65.53)
Acceptable forms of retest authorization for all tests listed above (except ADX and FNX):
• Passing AKTR
• Expired AKTR, or other acceptable form of first take authorization, if an authorization is required.
• Failed AKTR
o NOTE: An applicant retesting AFTER FAILURE is required to submit the applicable AKTR (whether valid or expired) indicating failure.
The applicant must also present an endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave the applicant additional training and has
determined the applicant proficient to pass the test.
This endorsement may be in the form of a signed written statement, a signed logbook notation, or by completing the Authorized
Instructor’s Statement portion of the failed AKTR. (14 CFR § 61.49(a)(2))
(For the ACM and ATM tests, the endorsement must be provided by an ATP CTP authorized ground instructor.)
o PROCTOR ACTION: Scan the AKTR, presented as authorization, verify the authorization is successfully scanned and electronically
stored, and then destroy the failed AKTR.
Acceptable forms of retest authorization for ADX and FNX tests only:
• Passing AKTR
• Expired AKTR, or other acceptable form of first take authorization, if an authorization is required.
• Failed AKTR
o NOTE: A 30-day waiting period is required, before retesting, if the applicant presents a failed AKTR with no retesting endorsement.
The applicant is required to submit the applicable AKTR indicating failure to the testing center prior to retesting.
ADX: Retests do not require a 30-day waiting period, if the applicant presents a signed statement from an airman holding the
certificate and the rating sought by the applicant, certifying that the airman has given the applicant additional instruction in each of
the failed subjects, and that the airman considers the applicant ready for retesting. (14 CFR § 65.19)
FNX: Retests do not require a 30-day waiting period if the applicant presents a signed statement from a certificated flight navigator,
certificated ground instructor, or any other qualified person approved by the FAA Administrator. (14 CFR § 63.59) This statement
must certify that the individual has given the applicant additional instruction, in each of the failed subjects, and that the individual
considers the applicant ready for retesting.
o PROCTOR ACTION: Scan the AKTR, presented as authorization, verify the authorization is successfully scanned and electronically
stored, and then destroy the failed AKTR.
An airman applicant may present one or more of the following acceptable forms of
authorization for ALL tests listed above:
• Original FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application-Mechanic and Parachute Rigger
o PROCTOR ACTION:
Verify the applicable blocks are marked (in the upper left corner of the form). Those not applicable have a
line drawn through them. If either or both the AIRFRAME and POWERPLANT boxes are checked on the
Form 8610-2, along with the ORIGINAL ISSUANCE box (and NOT the ADDED RATING box), this serves
as authorization for the Aviation Maintenance Technician General (AMG) test. Do NOT accept an
original issuance application for an AMG test only. (If the ADDED RATING box is marked, this
indicates that the AMG test is NOT required.)
Ensure block V is completed, including the date, FAA official signature, and the FAA Office/Designator
No.
The applicant must retain both original 8610-2 forms issued by the FSDO. Scan the form and
return the original to the applicant.
• An authenticated document from an FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS)
o The document may be a certificate, letter, etc. that includes the AMTS name and certificate number, graduation
date, curriculum from which the applicant graduated, and applicant name. (14 CFR § Part 147.21)
o A document showing graduation from an Airframe and/or Powerplant curriculum also authorizes the applicant
to take the AMG.
o An airman applicant who has not graduated from an FAA-certificated AMTS may take the AMG test
prior to graduation by presenting an authenticated document indicating satisfactory completion of the
General curriculum. (14 CFR §§ 65.75(c) and 147.31)
• Military Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for tests authorized on the certificate.
o PROCTOR ACTION: Scan the COE and return the original to the applicant.
*Effective January 27, 2025, the Commercial Pilot Helicopter (CRH) allotted test time will be reduced from 3.0 hours to 2.5 hours.
An airman applicant may present one or more of the following acceptable forms of
authorization for all tests listed above (except CCH, CCP, and MCN):
• Certificate of graduation or a statement of accomplishment certifying the satisfactory completion of the
ground school portion of a course for the certificate or rating sought. The certificate or statement may
be issued by an FAA certificated pilot school or an agency, such as a high school, college, adult
education program, Civil Air Patrol, or Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) flight training school.
• Written statement or logbook endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor certifying that
the applicant completed an applicable ground training or home study course and is prepared for the
knowledge test. (AC 61-65, as amended) (14 CFR § 61.35)
An airman applicant may present one or more of the following acceptable forms of
authorization for ALL BASIC tests listed above:
• FAA or International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member nation unrestricted commercial pilot
certificate or license with an instrument rating; or airline transport pilot certificate or license not limited to
visual flight rules (VFR).
• Original FAA Form 8060-7, Airman’s Authorization for Written/Knowledge Test.
o PROCTOR ACTION: Verify all applicable blocks are completed, including the endorser’s printed
name and original signature.
Acceptable form of authorization for ALL ADDED RATING tests listed above:
• Flight Engineer Certificate or an Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) for a flight engineer original
class rating. (14 CFR § 63.33)
*The above Added Rating tests may be taken ONLY if the applicant already holds a Flight Instructor Certificate. (14 CFR § 61
Subpart H) These tests do not apply to Flight Instructors with only a Sport Pilot Rating. (14 CFR § 61 Subpart K)
**See SPORT PILOT Flight Instructor information below.
NOTE: EU = European Union; FCL = Flight Crew Licensing; BASA = Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement.
*Effective January 27, 2025, the Instrument Rating Helicopter (IRH) allotted test time will be reduced from 2.5 hours to 2.0 hours.
Authorization for AIF, FIH, FII, HIF, ICH, ICP, IEP, IFB, IFP, and IGI:
• Requires NO instructor endorsement or other form of written authorization.
An airman applicant may present one or more of the following acceptable forms of
authorization for IRA and IRH:
• Certificate of graduation or a statement of accomplishment certifying the satisfactory completion of the
ground school portion of a course from a FAA certificated pilot school. (14 CFR § 61.71(a))
• Written statement or logbook endorsement from an FAA authorized ground or flight instructor certifying
that the applicant is prepared to take the required knowledge test. (14 CFR § 61.65(a)(4))
NOTE: EU = European Union; FCL = Flight Crew Licensing; BASA = Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement.
*Effective January 27, 2025, the Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH) allotted test time will be reduced from 2.5 hours to 2.0 hours.
An airman applicant may present one or more of the following acceptable forms of
authorization for all tests listed above (except PCH, PCP, PEP, and PFB):
• Certificate of graduation issued by an FAA certificated pilot school. (14 CFR § 61.71(a))
• Written statement or logbook endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor certifying that
the applicant completed an applicable ground training or home study course and is prepared for the
knowledge test. (14 CFR § 61.35, 61.96(b)(3) or 61.103(d)(2))
An airman applicant may present one or more of the following acceptable forms of
authorization for ALL tests listed above:
• Certificate of graduation issued by an FAA certificated pilot school. (14 CFR § 61.71(a))
• Written statement or logbook endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor
certifying that the applicant completed an applicable ground training or home study course
and is prepared for the knowledge test. (14 CFR § 61.309)