§ 61.191 — Additional Flight Instructor Ratings

Regulation Text

§ 61.191 Additional flight instructor ratings.

(a) A person who applies for an additional flight instructor rating on a flight instructor certificate must meet the eligibility requirements listed in § 61.183 of this part that apply to the flight instructor rating sought.

(b) A person who applies for an additional rating on a flight instructor certificate is not required to pass the knowledge test on the areas listed in § 61.185(a)(1) of this part.

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40907, July 30, 1997]

Research Notes

Research Notes — § 61.191 Additional Flight Instructor Ratings

Adding Ratings: The Two-Part Rule

§ 61.191 does two things: (a) you still need to meet the § 61.183 eligibility requirements for the new rating — same standards as a new applicant for that rating; but (b) you do not have to take the FOI knowledge test again. This is because holding an existing CFI certificate already demonstrates that you've met the FOI requirement at some point. Source: 14 CFR § 61.191

Common Rating Additions

The most common additions to a flight instructor certificate in general aviation:

CFII (Instrument Instructor): Adds instrument instructor privileges to an airplane or other category CFI. Requires meeting § 61.183 for the instrument rating, including the FII knowledge test (but not the FOI test again).
MEI (Multiengine Instructor): Adds multiengine airplane class rating to a CFI-A. Requires meeting § 61.183 for the multiengine class, including 5 hours PIC in the specific make/model per § 61.195(f).
Glider or Rotorcraft additions: Less common but follow the same pattern.

Source: 14 CFR § 61.183

Knowledge Test Requirements for Additional Ratings

The FIA (Flight Instructor Airplane) knowledge test is waived when adding a rating, per § 61.191(b). However, additional rating-specific tests may still be required depending on the rating sought. For a CFII addition, the FII knowledge test is required. For a multiengine class rating addition, no additional written test is required (the class rating was already demonstrated at the commercial level). Source: FAA Testing

CFI Commentary

Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.

Amendment History

1997-07-30

Originally issued 1997 as part of the Part 61 rewrite. Amdt. 61-103 made conforming changes.

Amendment: 61.191

AOA Notes

These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.

Pro Tip: Adding CFII or MEI: You Skip the FOI Test, But Not the Rating-Specific Requirements

§ 61.191(b) eliminates the FOI knowledge test when you're adding a rating to an existing CFI certificate — because you already demonstrated that knowledge when you got your original certificate. What it does not eliminate is the practical test for the new rating, the aeronautical experience requirements, or any rating-specific knowledge tests. For CFII candidates: you still need to pass the FII (Flight Instructor Instrument) knowledge test and the instrument CFI practical test. For MEI candidates: you still need to demonstrate the § 61.195(f) 5-hour PIC requirement in the specific make and model, meet the § 61.183 eligibility standards for the multiengine class, and pass the multiengine CFI practical test. The FOI exemption is meaningful — it saves time and cost — but it does not make adding a rating a light lift.

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§ 61.191 — Additional Flight Instructor Ratings

Regulation Text