Regulation Text
§ 61.213 Eligibility requirements.
(a) To be eligible for a ground instructor certificate or rating a person must:
(1) Be at least 18 years of age;
(2) Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's ground instructor certificate as are necessary;
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, pass a knowledge test on the fundamentals of instructing to include—
(i) The learning process;
(ii) Elements of effective teaching;
(iii) Student evaluation and testing;
(iv) Course development;
(v) Lesson planning; and
(vi) Classroom training techniques.
(4) Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas in—
(i) For a basic ground instructor rating §§ 61.97, 61.105, and 61.309;
(ii) For an advanced ground instructor rating §§ 61.97, 61.105, 61.125, 61.155, and 61.309; and
(iii) For an instrument ground instructor rating, § 61.65.
(b) The knowledge test specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section is not required if the applicant:
(1) Holds a ground instructor certificate or flight instructor certificate issued under this part;
(2) Holds a teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality that authorizes the person to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher; or
(3) Is employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.213 Eligibility Requirements: Ground Instructor
No Flight Experience Required
§ 61.213 sets the eligibility requirements for a ground instructor certificate. Notably absent: any flight experience requirement. A person who has never flown an aircraft can obtain a ground instructor certificate by meeting the age requirement (18), passing the FOI knowledge test (unless exempt), and passing the applicable aeronautical knowledge test for the rating sought. This makes the ground instructor certificate unique among FAA instructor certificates — it is entirely knowledge-based. Source: 14 CFR § 61.213
FOI Test Exemptions — Same as Flight Instructor
§ 61.213(b) mirrors the § 61.185(b) exemptions from the FOI knowledge test: holders of existing flight or ground instructor certificates, State-credentialed teachers authorized to teach at 7th grade or above, and college/university faculty are exempt. This is because holding any of these credentials already demonstrates the instructional competency the FOI test measures. Source: 14 CFR § 61.213(b)
Knowledge Test Requirements by Rating
The aeronautical knowledge tests required for each ground instructor rating (§ 61.213(a)(4)) are:
- Basic Ground Instructor: §§ 61.97 (sport/recreational), 61.105 (private pilot), and 61.309 (sport pilot) knowledge areas
- Advanced Ground Instructor: All BGI areas plus §§ 61.125 (commercial) and 61.155 (ATP) knowledge areas
- Instrument Ground Instructor: § 61.65 (instrument rating) knowledge areas
Source: 14 CFR § 61.213(a)(4)
Amendment History
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.
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.