Regulation Text
§ 61.85 Application.
An applicant for a student pilot certificate:
(a) Must make that application in a form acceptable to the Administrator; and
(b) Must submit the application to a Flight Standards office, a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a pilot school, a flight instructor, or other person authorized by the Administrator.
[Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1306, Jan. 12, 2016, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 61-141, 83 FR 9170, Mar. 5, 2018]
The short answer
(14 CFR § 61.85) governs how to apply for a student pilot certificate. The applicant must make the application in a form acceptable to the Administrator and submit it to a Flight Standards office, a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a pilot school, a flight instructor, or another authorized person.
Research Notes
Common Questions
Who can a student pilot submit the application to?
The rule lists five acceptable recipients, including a flight instructor or a designated pilot examiner.
“(b) Must submit the application to a Flight Standards office, a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a pilot school, a flight instructor, or other person authorized by the Administrator.” — 14 CFR § 61.85
What form must the application take?
The regulation does not name a specific paper form; it requires only a form acceptable to the Administrator.
“(a) Must make that application in a form acceptable to the Administrator.” — 14 CFR § 61.85
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.
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AOA's Decoded pages are plain-English interpretation for training and reference. They are not legal advice and do not replace the official regulation. Always confirm current requirements against the authoritative source before acting.
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.