FAA A&P Mechanic exam-day guide
FAA A&P Mechanic · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Unexpired government-issued photo ID
Bring a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The name on the ID must match the name on your application and knowledge test reports. Confirm acceptable ID forms with your examiner before test day.
FAA knowledge test reports (General, Airframe, Powerplant)
Bring the printed, embossed knowledge test reports for each rating you are testing. Results generally must be within their validity window (commonly stated as 24 months for mechanic applicants) - confirm the exact currency rule and any exceptions with your examiner or the local FSDO.
FAA Form 8610-2, completed and signed
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application with the experience certification completed by the authorized person who verified your experience. Confirm signature requirements and whether the examiner or FSDO signs it in your case.
Experience records and logbook
Bring documentation of the required practical experience (commonly 18 months for a single rating, 30 months for both Airframe and Powerplant). Highlight entries that support the tasks you may be asked to perform.
Basic hand tools
Most examiners expect you to work with your own tools. Typical items include combination wrenches and sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, safety wire pliers and wire, torque wrench, inspection mirror, flashlight, and a multimeter. Confirm the exact tool list with your examiner (needs_review - requirements vary by examiner and test site).
Personal safety equipment
Safety glasses, hearing protection, work gloves, and closed-toe, non-slip shoes. Some tasks involve running engines, electrical work, or chemicals where PPE is expected.
Work clothing
Coveralls or shop-appropriate clothing you can move and bend in; secure long hair and remove jewelry, rings, and loose sleeves that could create a hazard around rotating or electrical equipment.
Approved reference materials
Bring the FAA handbooks (General, Airframe, Powerplant) and AC 43.13-1B/2B if permitted. Ask what references, tabbing, and notes are allowed; some examiners restrict pre-tabbed or annotated material (needs_review - confirm with your examiner).
Appointment confirmation and site logistics
Confirm date, time, address, entry procedure, and parking with the examiner's office a few days ahead. Save the examiner's phone number in case of travel delay.
Examiner fee and payment method
Examiner fees are separate from FAA fees. Confirm the amount, accepted payment method, and whether payment is due before or after the test (needs_review - fees and methods vary by examiner).
Small personal items
Pencil/pen, notepad, basic calculator (if approved), water, snack, and any personal medication. Plan bathroom and meal breaks into your arrival schedule.
Accommodation request, if needed
If you need testing accommodations, request them well in advance and in writing. Approval is not guaranteed on test day (needs_review - confirm the process with the examiner or FAA).
Phone and smartwatch plan
Plan to silence or stow devices before entering the testing area. Confirm the examiner's device policy in advance so you are not caught off guard.
Plan the day
Reconfirm the appointment, site, fee, and required documents with the examiner. Verify your knowledge test reports are still valid and that your 8610-2 is properly completed and signed. Finalize your tool inventory against the examiner's list.
Shift from reading to doing: practice high-risk practical tasks - safety wiring, torque wrench use, rigging checks, logbook entries, AD and airworthiness-directive research, weight and balance, and pre-oil/run-up procedures. Rehearse talking through what you are doing and why, since the oral and practical portions are commonly integrated.
Pack your tools and bag from the checklist, lay out ID and paperwork in one folder, and load the vehicle or confirm travel arrangements. Check weather and traffic for the route. Eat a normal meal, set two alarms, and get a full night's sleep instead of last-minute cramming.
Do a light review of the practical test standards task list and the reference material you plan to use in front of the examiner. Stop studying early enough to sleep.
Eat breakfast and hydrate. Arrive 30–45 minutes early to park, check in, and settle. Keep your ID, knowledge test reports, and 8610-2 in hand. Turn your phone off or stow it as directed.
Listen to the examiner's briefing on the test sequence, time expectations, break policy, and what reference material is permitted. Ask questions about the process now, before tasks begin.
Read or listen to each task carefully, ask for clarification if instructions are ambiguous, and state your safety precautions before starting. Use the approved references when unsure rather than guessing. Work steadily, and clean up and account for tools after each task.
Ask for a debrief on how each area went, confirm what paperwork is completed and submitted, and get clear instructions on next steps if any task needs re-examination.
Rules to check
Present a valid, unexpired government photo ID at check-in; the name must match your application and test records. Confirm acceptable ID with the examiner beforehand.
Perform only the tasks the examiner assigns, in the order and manner directed. Do not substitute your own preferred procedure for the one the task specifies.
Ask for clarification when a task instruction is unclear - asking is not a failure, but proceeding on a guess can be.
Treat safety as non-negotiable: unsafe acts, bypassing lockout or PPE requirements, or damage to equipment may result in disapproval of the affected task or the test. Confirm the examiner's specific safety criteria at the start.
Reference materials, calculators, and notes may be restricted. Confirm in advance what you may bring into the testing area and keep unapproved items stowed.
Breaks are typically available on request, and the examiner controls the schedule and any time expectations. Ask about the break policy during the opening briefing.
Phones, smartwatches, and recording devices are generally not permitted in the testing area, and exam content is confidential. Do not discuss specific tasks or questions afterward in a way that compromises test security.
If a task is not satisfactorily completed, re-examination is usually required on that area. The retest process, eligibility, and any waiting period are set by the FAA and the examiner - confirm the exact policy with your examiner or the local FSDO rather than relying on rumor.