How Much Does an A&P License Cost?

There isn’t one national price for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate because the total depends on how someone qualifies for testing.

The cost has three parts:

1. Training or eligibility expenses.
2. Required certification tests.
3. Supporting costs such as tools, preparation and travel.

As of August 2026, PSI Services lists organizational vouchers for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Knowledge Tests at $175 each. That makes $525 plus tax a planning benchmark for the three tests required for both the Airframe (A) and the Powerplant (P) ratings, though individual candidate pricing may differ. The oral and practical examinations carry separate fees from a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME), and the FAA does not publish a standard national DME price.

School-based costs are much higher than testing costs alone because they include tuition and related education expenses. Universal Technical Institute (UTI), for example, offers the Airframe & Powerplant Technician program and the Aviation Maintenance Technology program for students pursuing the school pathway.⁷⁹ Applicants who qualify through civilian on-the-job or military experience may avoid school tuition, but they can still have testing, preparation, tool and travel costs.

Terminology note: “A&P Certificate” and “A&P license” are common terms for an FAA Aviation Mechanic certificate with both the Airframe and the Powerplant ratings.

Here is the clearest way to compare the three cost profiles:

The pathway changes the math, but it does not make the other costs disappear. A useful estimate separates what is included from what still needs a quote.

How Much Does an A&P License Cost by Eligibility Pathway?

The school route usually carries the largest direct price because it includes a formal training program. Civilian on-the-job and military experience routes can remove that tuition expense, but they require qualifying hands-on experience and still lead to the applicable certification tests.

School pathway costs

An FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) provides an approved curriculum that can establish eligibility to take the mechanic tests. The FAA estimates that most AMTS programs take 18 to 24 months, depending on the rating or ratings pursued. Graduation makes a student eligible to test when the other requirements are met; it does not award the A&P Certificate itself.

School costs can include tuition, institutional fees, books, tools, safety equipment and living expenses. Test preparation or exam fees may be included, subsidized or billed separately, so tuition may not tell the whole story.

For one current, campus-specific example, the UTI Canton catalog lists a total of $52,998.70 for its Airframe & Powerplant Technician certificate program and $59,330.38 for its Aviation Maintenance Technology associate of applied science degree program. Those figures apply to enrollment dates on or after August 1, 2026. They are UTI Canton program prices — not national estimates — and they do not include each student’s individual living expenses.

Read: Why Is Trade School So Expensive? (And Is It Really?)

Civilian work experience pathway costs

Someone may also qualify for testing through documented civilian on-the-job training (OJT) performed under appropriate supervision. The FAA requires at least 18 months of practical experience for one rating or 30 months performed concurrently for both. An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector reviews the documentation before authorizing an experience-based applicant to test.

This route removes the requirement to attend an AMTS, but it is not automatically cost-free. Work tools, transportation, maintenance logs, study resources, testing and travel can all add to the total. Access matters too: The experience must involve qualifying maintenance work, and time spent only in training does not count as practical experience under the FAA’s determination.

Military experience pathway costs

Qualifying military aviation maintenance experience may count toward testing for an Airframe rating, a Powerplant rating, or both. Service by itself is not enough. The FAA evaluates the applicant’s specialty, actual maintenance experience and supporting records.

The Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) provides another route for eligible military personnel. Under the FAA’s current agreement, eligible active-duty, guard and reserve personnel, their dependents, U.S. military retirees, Department of Defense civilians, and Department of Homeland Security civilians may take Aviation Maintenance Technician knowledge tests at no cost. The provision does not automatically cover the DME examination, preparation, documentation or travel.

Read: How the GI Bill® Supports Veterans Pursuing Trade School

How Much Do the Required A&P Tests Cost?

People pursuing both the Airframe and the Powerplant ratings generally complete the General, Airframe, and Powerplant knowledge tests, followed by an oral and a practical examination. The FAA sets the testing requirements, while commercial FAA-approved testing centers and DMEs charge the applicable fees.

For a closer look at the tests, the table below keeps the posted benchmark separate from the examiner quote.

Testing cost takeaway: Plan for three knowledge tests when pursuing both ratings, plus separate oral and practical fees. Treat the voucher subtotal as a planning benchmark, not an individual quote.

General, Airframe, and Powerplant knowledge tests

The General knowledge test comes first, followed by the Airframe and/or the Powerplant test, depending on the rating sought. Someone pursuing both ratings takes all three tests. Individual candidates should confirm the price displayed when registering rather than assuming the organizational voucher amount will be their final charge.

Read: No Diploma? Here’s What To Know Before A&P School

Oral and practical examinations

After completing the applicable knowledge tests, the candidate must schedule oral and practical testing with an FAA-approved DME. A quote is the only dependable price here because the FAA does not publish a national fee.

Use the FAA Designee Locator to find authorized examiners. Before booking, ask for the full price, deposit and cancellation terms, retest charges, and whether General, Airframe, and Powerplant testing are priced together or separately.

Retesting and rescheduling

A failed knowledge, oral or practical test can create another fee and may add instruction or travel costs. Under current FAA retesting guidance, candidates may retest after 30 days. You may apply earlier with a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating sought that confirms additional instruction was provided and the candidate is ready to retest.

Testing centers and DMEs may also have their own cancellation and rescheduling policies. Check those terms before a test that requires substantial travel.

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Paying for Trade School: Financial Aid, Grants and Loans

What Other A&P Costs Should You Budget For?

Testing is only one piece of the A&P certification cost. The table below separates expenses that usually belong in the plan from those that depend on the school, location or outcome of a test.

Tools, supplies and safety equipment

An AMTS may require hand tools, uniforms, safety glasses or other personal protective equipment. Some schools include particular items in their published price; others give students a separate purchasing list.

People qualifying for testing through experience may already own many tools, but they should still ask what the DME provides for the practical examination. That quick check can prevent paying twice for an item or arriving without something required.

Read: How Hard Is It To Become an Aircraft Mechanic? Learning Step by Step

Study materials and test preparation

Paid test preparation is not required. The FAA provides Aviation Maintenance Technician handbooks for the General, Airframe, and Powerplant subjects at no cost, and schools may include preparation in their curricula.

Commercial study guides or focused prep courses can be useful for some candidates. Before buying one, compare it with the resources already available and confirm that it reflects current FAA testing standards.

Travel, lodging and living expenses

A school in another city can introduce housing, food, transportation and other personal expenses. These are indirect education costs, not FAA certification fees, but they still affect the amount someone needs to plan for.

Testing can add a separate travel layer. If the nearest available DME is several hours away, include transportation, lodging and time away from work rather than budgeting for the exam fee alone.

How To Calculate Your A&P Certification Cost

The cleanest estimate starts with the pathway, adds the testing and supporting expenses that actually apply, then subtracts only assistance that has been confirmed.

Do not subtract an estimated scholarship, benefit or exam subsidy simply because it may be available. Waiting for a confirmed amount produces a more realistic out-of-pocket estimate and makes it easier to compare pathways on equal terms.

Read: 3 Airplane Mechanic Jobs to Explore After Career Training

Is an A&P Certificate Worth the Cost?

An A&P Certificate may be worth the cost for someone pursuing aviation maintenance roles that require or prefer both FAA ratings. The decision becomes clearer when the price is compared with the actual requirements of the jobs the person wants — not with aviation careers in general.

Four questions can help frame the choice:

• Do the target roles require or prefer both ratings?
• What is the complete out-of-pocket cost after confirmed assistance?
• How much time does the selected eligibility route require?
• What training, tools, testing and student support are included?

A lower-cost route is not always the easier route. Civilian on-the-job experience can reduce formal education expenses but depends on access to qualifying supervised work. An AMTS costs more directly, but it provides a structured FAA-approved curriculum. The better fit depends on the person’s starting point, resources and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About A&P License Costs

How much does an A&P license cost in total?

There is no single total. The school pathway combines tuition and education expenses with any uncovered testing and supporting costs. The civilian-experience pathway removes required AMTS tuition but still includes testing, preparation, tools and travel. Eligible military-affiliated candidates may receive no-cost knowledge tests, although other expenses can remain.

How much do the three A&P knowledge tests cost?

Using PSI’s August 2026 organizational voucher price as a planning benchmark, three vouchers total $525 plus applicable tax. That is not a confirmed price for an individual candidate. Check the amount displayed during PSI registration before finalizing the testing budget.

Does the FAA charge a fee to issue an A&P certificate?

The FAA’s mechanic guidance identifies fees for commercial knowledge testing and DME-administered oral and practical testing, but it does not list a separate certificate-issuance price. Candidates should still review current FAA application and testing requirements before beginning the process.

What is included in A&P school tuition?

Inclusions vary by school, program and campus. Ask whether the quoted price covers registration and lab fees, books, tools, uniforms, safety equipment, test preparation, and certification exams. Housing, food and transportation are typically tracked separately as indirect cost-of-attendance expenses.

Can financial aid help cover A&P training costs?

Financial aid may help qualifying students attending an eligible school and program.¹⁰ The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal aid, but submitting it does not guarantee an award. Compare confirmed aid with the program’s complete direct and indirect costs.

Can military applicants take A&P tests at no cost?

Some can. The FAA currently allows specified military-affiliated groups to take Aviation Maintenance Technician knowledge tests at no cost under its JSAMTCC agreement. Eligibility must be confirmed, and the provision does not necessarily cover the DME examinations, preparation, documentation or travel.

Explore A&P Training Options at UTI!

If you’re considering the school pathway, Universal Technical Institute offers an Airframe & Powerplant Technician program and an Aviation Maintenance Technology program. Both can prepare graduates to apply and test for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification.^79,128 Program length, credential and availability vary by location, so it helps to compare the options at the campus you’re considering.

To get a fuller picture of the cost, use UTI’s Cost of Attendance tool and current catalogs to compare direct costs with indirect expenses such as housing, food and transportation.

Want to compare current program costs and campus options? Request information from UTI or call an Admissions Representative at 1-800-834-7308.