APPLYING FOR A
STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE
Welcome!
Please review the following steps and complete each item, the best you can before your first lesson. Don’t worry, do one step at a time, and we’re here to help if you have questions!
You apply for a Student Pilot Certificate from the FAA online via the IACRA system to register and complete the form. Include your personal info and English skills. Then meet a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). The CFI checks your identity, verifies your application and submits it for you. You get a temporary certificate as soon as the CFI submits it. The permanent one arrives by mail later. This certificate is crucial for solo flights and typically arrives in a few weeks.
What is IACRA?
IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s official, web-based system for pilots and aspiring pilots to apply for, upgrade, and manage their airman certificates and ratings (like pilot licenses), replacing the old paper forms, ensuring accuracy with electronic signatures and data validation for a faster, streamlined process to get your wings. The application itself is free.
Step-by-Step Process
Meet Student Pilot Requirements:
Under 14 CFR Part 61.83
Be at least 16 years old to solo (but can start training younger), and be able to read, speak, and understand English.
Register on IACRA:
To apply for the Student Certificate, you will submit an electronic application via the FAA’s IACRA system.
First, visit the IACRA website and register online. There is a block on the application for your certificate number, leave this blank.
After you finish registering, IACRA displays your user ID and FAA Tracking Number (FTN). Jot down your FTN and keep it safe. Your CFI needs it to wrap up your student pilot application. Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) need it too for checkrides, along with other certificates and ratings.
Filling out an IACRA form:
Sign in to the IACRA website with your login.
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Click on start a new application, select "Pilot," then "Student Pilot".
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Click “Begin Application”.
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Fill out personal details and confirm you meet eligibility, confirm your English proficiency, and answer questions about prior denials or medical issues.
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Submit the application electronically through the system.
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Bring your driver’s license, proof of US Citizenship (birth certificate or US passport)
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Your CFI will log into their IACRA portal, verify your identity and your application, and electronically sign/submit your application to the FAA's Airmen Certification Branch.
You'll get a temporary paper certificate immediately after your instructor processes it. Once the TSA has performed a background check, the official plastic Student Pilot Certificate will be mailed to you in a few weeks.
