Pilot Foreign License Conversion Guideline

Thinking about flying in the United States with your foreign pilot license? Converting your international credentials to an FAA certificate opens the door to countless opportunities—from flying in one of the world’s busiest airspaces to expanding your career options and flight experience. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about converting a foreign pilot license to an FAA certificate to make your transition to flying under the FAA as smooth as possible.

ICAO License -> FAA Foreign Based Certificate (14 CFR Part 61.75)

For Instrument Rating (Foreign Based, No Further Testing), you’ll need…

1. Pass the “Instrument Foreign Pilot via Non-BASA (IFP)“ knowledge test.
2. FAA Verification Letter (Only valid for 6 months)
3. Valid ICAO Pilot License (Cannot Expire)
4. Hold at least FAA 3rd Class Medical.
5. Pilots must fly with ICAO license, FAA certificate and Verification Letter.

*IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. While acting as PIC in the United States, the holder of a foreign pilot certificate must carry “Valid verification letter, valid foreign license, FAA foreign based certificate and a valid medical” at all times.
2. The purpose of the FAA foreign based certificate is designed to be used to obtain further rating in the United States. Once the holder of a FAA foreign certificate completes a checkride, such as Commercial, then the holder will be issued a full FAA pilot certificate that does not expire.
3. Common Mistake: If you pass the Instrument Checkride in the United States using your FAA foreign based certificate, the Instrument Rating is added to your foreign ICAO license and will still expire when the letter of verification is expired!

EASA License -> FAA Certificate (Refer AC 61-143)

For Private Pilot (Full FAA Conversion, No Further Testing), you’ll need…

1. Verified country of issuance is qualified under EASA.
2. Pass the “Private Pilot Airplane EU Part FCL Conversion” knowledge test.
3. FAA Verification Letter (Only valid for 6 months).
4. Valid ICAO Pilot License (Cannot Expire).
5. Hold at least FAA 3rd Class Medical.
6. Valid FAA Flight Review.
7. Complete Night Training Requirement (If wish to remove Night limitation)

For Instrument Rating (Full FAA Conversion, No Further Testing), you’ll need…

1. Proof of meeting the requirements per Part 61.65.
2. Pass “Instrument Airplane EU Part FCL Conversion (IEP)” knowledge test.
3. Valid FAA Instrument Proficiency Check in addition to a valid Flight Review.
4. FAA Verification Letter (Only valid for 6 months).
5. Valid ICAO Pilot License (Cannot Expire).
6. Hold at least FAA 3rd Class Medical.

Canadian TCCA License -> FAA Certificate (Refer AC 61-135A)

For Private Pilot, you’ll need…

1. Be at least 17 years old.
2. Valid Canadian TCCA Pilot License (Cannot Expire)
3. Hold at least FAA 3rd Class Medical.
4. Proof of PIC flight time in the aircraft category and class.
5. Complete Night Training Requirement (If wish to remove Night limitation)
6. Pass the Private Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion (PCP) knowledge test.

For Instrument Rating, you’ll need…

1. Be at least 17 years old.
2. Valid Canadian TCCA Pilot License with Instrument Rating (Cannot Expire)
3. Hold at least FAA 3rd Class Medical.
4. Proof of PIC flight time in the aircraft category and class.
5. Pass the Instrument Airplane Canadian Conversion (ICP) knowledge test.

For Commercial Pilot , you’ll need…

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Hold at least FAA 3rd Class Medical.
3. Have logged 250 hours flight time (in any aircraft) and have a Land rating on the TCCA CPL.
4. Provide evidence of PIC flight time in the aircraft category and class.
5. Pass the “Commercial Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion (CCP)” knowledge test.

Guide to All FAA Written Tests

Test Code	Test Name	# of Questions	Age	Alloted Time	Passing Score
PAR	Private Pilot Airplane	60	15	2.0	70
PAT	Private Pilot Airplane/Rec Pilot – Transition	30	15	1.5	70
PBG	Private Pilot Balloon – Gas	60	14	2.5	70
PBH	Private Pilot Balloon – Hot Air	60	14	2.5	70
PCH	Private Pilot Helicopter Canadian Conversion	40	16	2.0	70
PCP	Private Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion	40	16	2.0	70
PEP	Private Pilot Airplane EU Part – FCL Conversion	40	16	2.0	70
PFB	Private Pilot Airplane Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)	40	N/A	2.0	70
PGL	Private Pilot Glider	60	14	2.5	70
PGT	Private Pilot Gyroplane/Rec Pilot – Transition	30	15	1.5	70
PHT	Private Pilot Helicopter/Rec Pilot – Transition	30	15	1.5	70
PLA	Private Pilot Airship	60	15	2.5	70
PPP	Private Pilot Powered Parachute	60	15	2.5	70
PRG	Private Pilot Gyroplane	60	15	2.5	70
PRH	Private Pilot Helicopter	60	15	2.0	70
PWS	Private Pilot Weight-Shift-Control	60	15	2.5	70
RPA	Recreational Pilot Airplane	50	15	2.0	70
RPG	Recreational Pilot Gyroplane	50	15	2.0	70
RPH	Recreational Pilot Helicopter	50	15	2.0	70

NOTE: EU = European Union; FCL = Flight Crew Licensing; BASA = Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement

Test Code	Test Name	# of Questions	Age	Alloted Time	Passing Score
ICH	Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian Conversion	40	15	2.0	70
ICP	Instrument Rating Airplane Canadian Conversion	40	15	2.0	70
IEP	Instrument Rating Airplane EU Part – FCL Conversion	40	16	2.0	70
IFB	Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)	40	N/A	2.0	70
IFP	Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via Non-BASA (61.75)	50	N/A	2.5	70
IGI	Ground Instructor Instrument	50	16	2.5	70
IRA	Instrument Rating Airplane	60	15	2.0	70
IRH	Instrument Rating Helicopter	60	15	2.0	70

Test Code	Test Name	# of Questions	Age	Alloted Time	Passing Score
CAX	Commercial Pilot Airplane	100	16	2.5	70
CBG	Commercial Pilot Balloon – Gas	60	16	2.5	70
CBH	Commercial Pilot Balloon – Hot Air	100	16	3.0	70
CCH	Commercial Pilot Helicopter Canadian Conversion	40	18	2.0	70
CCP	Commercial Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion	40	18	2.0	70
CGX	Commercial Pilot Glider	100	16	3.0	70
CLA	Commercial Pilot Airship	100	16	3.0	70
CRG	Commercial Pilot Gyroplane	100	16	3.0	70
CRH	Commercial Pilot Helicopter	100	16	2.5	70
MCN	Military Competence Non-Category	50	18	2.0	70