Regulation Text
§ 61.39 Prerequisites for practical tests.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (e), and (f) of this section, to be eligible for a practical test for a certificate or rating issued under this part, an applicant must:
(1) Pass the required knowledge test:
(i) Within the 24-calendar-month period preceding the month the applicant completes the practical test, if a knowledge test is required; or
(ii) Within the 60-calendar month period preceding the month the applicant completes the practical test for those applicants who complete the airline transport pilot certification training program in § 61.156 and pass the knowledge test for an airline transport pilot certificate with a multiengine class rating after July 31, 2014;
(2) Present the knowledge test report at the time of application for the practical test, if a knowledge test is required;
(3) Have satisfactorily accomplished the required training and obtained the aeronautical experience prescribed by this part for the certificate or rating sought, and if applying for the practical test with flight time accomplished under § 61.159(c), present a copy of the records required by § 135.63(a)(4)(vi) and (x) of this chapter;
(4) Hold at least a third-class medical certificate, if a medical certificate is required;
(5) Meet the prescribed age requirement of this part for the issuance of the certificate or rating sought;
(6) Have an endorsement, if required by this part, in the applicant's logbook or training record that has been signed by an authorized instructor who certifies that the applicant—
(ii) Is prepared for the required practical test; and
(7) Have a completed and signed application form.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, an applicant for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate obtained concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating may take the practical test with an expired knowledge test only if the applicant passed the knowledge test after July 31, 2014, and is employed:
(1) As a flightcrew member by a part 119 certificate holder conducting operations under parts 125 or 135 of this chapter at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily accomplished that operator's approved pilot-in-command training or checking program; or
(2) As a flightcrew member by a part 119 certificate holder conducting operations under part 121 of this chapter at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily accomplished that operator's approved initial training program; or
(3) By the U.S. Armed Forces as a flightcrew member in U.S. military air transport operations at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily completed the pilot in command aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the pilot certificate and rating sought.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, an applicant for an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating other than those ratings set forth in paragraph (b) of this section may take the practical test for that certificate or rating with an expired knowledge test report, provided that the applicant is employed:
(1) As a flightcrew member by a part 119 certificate holder conducting operations under parts 125 or 135 of this chapter at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily accomplished that operator's approved pilot-in-command training or checking program; or
(2) By the U.S. Armed Forces as a flightcrew member in U.S. military air transport operations at the time of the practical test and has satisfactorily completed the pilot in command aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the pilot certificate and rating sought.
(d) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section, to be eligible for a practical test for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or airline transport pilot certificate obtained concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating, an applicant must:
(1) If the applicant passed the knowledge test after July 31, 2014, present the graduation certificate for the airline transport pilot certification training program in § 61.156, at the time of application for the practical test;
(2) If applying for the practical test under the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.160(a), the applicant must present the documents required by that section to substantiate eligibility; and
(3) If applying for the practical test under the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.160(b), (c), or (d), the applicant must present an official transcript and certifying document from an institution of higher education that holds a letter of authorization from the Administrator under § 61.169.
(e) An applicant for an airman certificate or rating issued under this part 61 may take a practical test with an expired knowledge test if the applicant meets the requirements specified in § 61.40.
(f) A person is not required to comply with the provisions of paragraph (a)(6) of this section if that person:
(1) Holds a foreign pilot license issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation that authorizes at least the privileges of the pilot certificate sought;
(2) Is only applying for a type rating; or
(3) Is applying for an airline transport pilot certificate or an additional rating to an airline transport pilot certificate in an aircraft that does not require an aircraft type rating practical test.
(g) If all increments of the practical test for a certificate or rating are not completed on the same date, then all the remaining increments of the test must be completed within 2 calendar months after the month the applicant began the test.
[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40897, July 30, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-104, 63 FR 20286, Apr. 23, 1998; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42548, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-130, 78 FR 42373, July 15, 2013; Amdt. 61-130B, 78 FR 77573, Dec. 24, 2013; Amdt. 61-142, 83 FR 30726, June 27, 2018; Amdt. 61-149, 86 FR 62087, Nov. 9, 2021; Doc. No. FAA-2023-0825; Amdt. No. 61-155, 89 FR 80049, Oct. 1, 2024]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.39 Prerequisites for Practical Tests
Overview
Section 61.39 is the checklist every applicant must satisfy before stepping into a checkride. It establishes seven prerequisites for the general case (paragraph (a)) and multiple exceptions and additions for ATP applicants. Missing any one of these prerequisites means the DPE cannot legally conduct the practical test — and if a DPE inadvertently conducts a test anyway, the resulting certificate is not valid.
The 24-Month Written Test Clock
The knowledge test report is valid for 24 calendar months. The clock runs from the month the test was passed — if you passed in March 2024, your report is valid through March 2026 (end of month). If your practical test is scheduled for April 2026, your written has expired. The FAA counts calendar months, not days — confirm the expiration date before scheduling your checkride, especially if you've had training delays. Reference: § 61.39(a)(1)(i).
The 2-Month Endorsement Window
The instructor endorsement for the practical test must reflect training received within the 2 calendar months preceding the month of application. If your instructor signed your endorsement in March and your checkride is in June, you need a new endorsement. This is the single most common administrative reason checkrides are cancelled at the airport — the pilot shows up with an expired or improperly dated endorsement. Reference: § 61.39(a)(6)(i).
Deficient Knowledge Areas Must Be Reviewed
The endorsement must explicitly include confirmation that the applicant has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of any subject areas missed on the knowledge test (paragraph (a)(6)(iii)). This is not a formality — if the DPE reviews the knowledge test report and finds missed areas, they will look for this in the endorsement. If the endorsement doesn't cover it, expect questions directly from the DPE in the oral exam on those topics.
Split Checkrides — The 2-Month Completion Window
Paragraphs (g) and (h) establish that when a practical test spans multiple days, all portions must be completed within 2 calendar months of the month the applicant started. If they aren't, the entire test must be retaken — not just the incomplete portions. Weather cancellations, aircraft availability, and DPE scheduling can push this date unexpectedly. Plan split checkrides conservatively.
Military and ATP Exceptions (Paragraphs (b), (c), (e))
Airline transport pilot applicants employed by Part 121/135/125 operators or U.S. military may take the practical test with an expired knowledge test report under specific conditions. These provisions recognize that professional pilots in training pipelines have additional oversight through their employer's training programs. Reference: § 61.39(b)-(e). See also § 61.40 for the separate military relief provision.
Advisory Circular Reference
AC 61-65J, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors, provides the authoritative list of endorsements required for practical tests and the exact language for each. Available at FAA Advisory Circulars.
Recent Amendment
The most recent amendment to § 61.39 (Amdt. 61-155, effective January 21, 2025) reflects ongoing refinements to ATP certification requirements. Always verify current text at eCFR § 61.39.
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.