Foreign Certificate Validation

If you hold a pilot certificate from another country, you can validate it and convert it into an FAA Restricted Private Pilot Certificate.

Any foreign-issued certificate can be validated. For ATP Certificates, additional requirements apply, such as completing a written exam and the ATP-CTP course.

Step-by-Step Guide to Converting Your ICAO License to an FAA License.

The steps for the validation process are outlined as follows:

1

You need to visit website IACRA. This is the web-based certification/rating application that guides the user through the FAA’s airman application process. New User Guide is here.

2

Complete the registration and create an account on the website.

3

Log in to your IACRA account, select the "Start Foreign License Verification Process" button, then follow the prompts to upload your ICAO license and medical documentation.

4

Within 45-90 days, you will receive a letter from the FAA confirming they have received your documents and granting approval to schedule an appointment with an examiner to complete the necessary paperwork.

5

We will schedule an examination date upon your arrival in the United States.

6

At your meeting with the examiner, they will review your documents and confirm your proficiency in the English language. Once you receive your temporary restricted certificate, you will need to complete an FAA Flight Review as outlined in section §61.56 CFR 14.

Important: If the examiner finds your English language proficiency to be lacking for flight training, they may decline to issue the validation.

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The flight review, conducted by a certified flight instructor, includes one hour of ground instruction followed by one hour of flight training. During this review, the instructor will assess the pilot’s knowledge and proficiency in areas such as radio communication, situational awareness, navigation, airspace classification, and any other relevant knowledge required for a private pilot in the U.S.

Upon successfully completing the flight review, the pilot will receive a logbook entry, authorizing them to act as pilot in command for the aircraft class and type specified on their certificate.

Important: The newly validated FAA Certificate is tied to the qualifications of your foreign certificate. As a result, it is a restricted certificate and remains valid only as long as your foreign certificate is valid. We are always available to assist you with the validation process if needed.