Aviation mechanic inspection authorization study guide
14 CFR 65.91, 65.92, 65.93 and 65.95 set the FAA rules for the inspection authorization held by certificated mechanics. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on applying and eligibility, the fixed base, equipment and written test, when an inspection authorization expires or ceases to be effective, renewal and the five renewal activities, the privileges, and keeping the authorization available and reporting a change of base. goraedu does not train, test or certificate mechanics, and this is not an FAA test. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Applying and eligibility
An application for an inspection authorization is made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Administrator.
“An application for an inspection authorization is made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Administrator.”
An applicant who meets the requirements of 65.91 is entitled to an inspection authorization.
“An applicant who meets the requirements of this section is entitled to an inspection authorization.”
65.91(c) lists what an applicant must do or have to be eligible for an inspection authorization.
“To be eligible for an inspection authorization, an applicant must”
The applicant must hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both an airframe rating and a powerplant rating.
“Hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both an airframe rating and a powerplant rating,”
Each of those two ratings must be currently effective and must have been in effect for a total of at least 3 years.
“each of which is currently effective and has been in effect for a total of at least 3 years;”
The applicant must have been actively engaged, for at least the 2-year period before the date of application, in maintaining aircraft certificated and maintained in accordance with this chapter (14 CFR chapter I).
“Have been actively engaged, for at least the 2-year period before the date he applies, in maintaining aircraft certificated and maintained in accordance with this chapter;”
Not covered here
The application form itself is not described here; the rule only says it is prescribed by the Administrator. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Base, equipment and the written test
The applicant must have a fixed base of operations at which the applicant may be located in person or by telephone during a normal working week.
“Have a fixed base of operations at which he may be located in person or by telephone during a normal working week”
The fixed base need not be the place where the holder will exercise the inspection authority.
“but it need not be the place where he will exercise his inspection authority;”
The applicant must have available the equipment, facilities, and inspection data necessary to properly inspect airframes, powerplants, propellers, or any related part or appliance.
“Have available to him the equipment, facilities, and inspection data necessary to properly inspect airframes, powerplants, propellers, or any related part or appliance;”
The applicant must pass a written test on the applicant's ability to inspect according to safety standards for returning aircraft to service after major repairs and major alterations and annual and progressive inspections performed under part 43.
“Pass a written test on his ability to inspect according to safety standards for returning aircraft to service after major repairs and major alterations and annual and progressive inspections performed under part 43 of this chapter.”
An applicant who fails the written test may not apply for retesting until at least 90 days after the date of the failed test.
“An applicant who fails the test prescribed in paragraph (c)(5) of this section may not apply for retesting until at least 90 days after the date he failed the test.”
Not covered here
The content of the written test is not described here beyond the subject the rule names. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Duration and when an IA stops being effective
Each inspection authorization expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year.
“Each inspection authorization expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year.”
The holder may exercise the privileges only while holding a currently effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective powerplant rating.
“However, the holder may exercise the privileges of that authorization only while he holds a currently effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective powerplant rating.”
65.92(b) lists events after which an inspection authorization ceases to be effective; any one of them is enough.
“An inspection authorization ceases to be effective whenever any of the following occurs:”
One event is that the authorization is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
“The authorization is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.”
Another is that the holder no longer has a fixed base of operation.
“The holder no longer has a fixed base of operation.”
Another is that the holder no longer has the equipment, facilities, and inspection data required by 65.91(c)(3) and (4) for issuance of the authorization.
“The holder no longer has the equipment, facilities, and inspection data required by § 65.91(c) (3) and (4) for issuance of his authorization.”
The holder of a suspended or revoked inspection authorization shall, upon the Administrator's request, return it to the Administrator.
“The holder of an inspection authorization that is suspended or revoked shall, upon the Administrator's request, return it to the Administrator.”
Renewal
65.93(a) sets the eligibility for renewal of an inspection authorization for a 2-year period, except as provided in paragraph (d).
“Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, to be eligible for renewal of an inspection authorization for a 2-year period”
The applicant must present evidence during the month of March of each odd-numbered year.
“an applicant must present evidence during the month of March of each odd-numbered year,”
The evidence is presented at the responsible Flight Standards office.
“at the responsible Flight Standards office,”
The evidence must show that the applicant still meets the requirements of 65.91(c)(1) through (4).
“that the applicant still meets the requirements of § 65.91(c)(1) through (4).”
In addition, during the time the applicant held the authorization, the applicant must show completion of one of the activities in (a)(1) through (5) by March 31 of the first year of the 2-year inspection authorization period.
“In addition, during the time the applicant held the inspection authorization, the applicant must show completion of one of the activities in paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section by March 31 of the first year of the 2-year inspection authorization period,”
The applicant must also show completion of one of the five activities during the second year of the 2-year period.
“and completion of one of the five activities during the second year of the 2-year period:”
Renewal activities and exceptions
One of the options: performed at least one annual inspection for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority.
“Performed at least one annual inspection for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority; or”
One of the options: performed at least two major repairs or major alterations for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority.
“Performed at least two major repairs or major alterations for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority; or”
One of the options: performed or supervised and approved at least one progressive inspection in accordance with standards prescribed by the Administrator.
“Performed or supervised and approved at least one progressive inspection in accordance with standards prescribed by the Administrator; or”
One of the options: attended and successfully completed a refresher course, acceptable to the Administrator, of not less than 8 hours of instruction.
“Attended and successfully completed a refresher course, acceptable to the Administrator, of not less than 8 hours of instruction; or”
One of the options: passed an oral test by an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of applicable regulations and standards is current.
“Passed an oral test by an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of applicable regulations and standards is current.”
The holder of an inspection authorization that has been in effect for less than 90 days before the expiration date need not comply with (a)(1) through (5).
“The holder of an inspection authorization that has been in effect: (1) for less than 90 days before the expiration date need not comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section.”
The holder of an inspection authorization that has been in effect for less than 90 days before March 31 of an even-numbered year need not comply with (a)(1) through (5) for the first year of the 2-year period.
“for less than 90 days before March 31 of an even-numbered year need not comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section for the first year of the 2-year inspection authorization period.”
A holder who does not complete one of the activities by March 31 of the first year of the 2-year period may not exercise inspection authorization privileges after March 31 of the first year.
“An inspection authorization holder who does not complete one of the activities set forth in § 65.93(a) (1) through (5) of this section by March 31 of the first year of the 2-year inspection authorization period may not exercise inspection authorization privileges after March 31 of the first year.”
That holder may resume exercising the privileges after passing an oral test from an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of the applicable regulations and standards is current.
“The inspection authorization holder may resume exercising inspection authorization privileges after passing an oral test from an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of the applicable regulations and standards is current.”
A holder who passes this oral test is deemed to have completed the requirements of 65.93(a)(1) through (5) by March 31 of the first year.
“An inspection authorization holder who passes this oral test is deemed to have completed the requirements of § 65.93(a) (1) through (5) by March 31 of the first year.”
A person who qualifies for the relief prescribed in 61.40 is eligible to renew an expired inspection authorization under 65.93, provided the requirements of 61.40 are met.
“A person who qualifies for the relief prescribed in § 61.40 of this chapter is eligible to renew an expired inspection authorization under this section, provided the requirements of § 61.40 of this chapter are met.”
Not covered here
The relief in § 61.40 is outside the sections we hold and is not set out here. The standards the Administrator prescribes for progressive inspections and the content of refresher courses or the oral test are not described here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Privileges
Under 65.95(a)(1), the holder of an inspection authorization may inspect and approve for return to service any aircraft or related part or appliance, subject to the exception and condition below.
“The holder of an inspection authorization may— (1) Inspect and approve for return to service any aircraft or related part or appliance”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
That privilege applies after a major repair or major alteration to the aircraft, part or appliance in accordance with part 43.
“after a major repair or major alteration to it in accordance with part 43”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
The exception: any aircraft maintained in accordance with a continuous airworthiness program under part 121.
“(except any aircraft maintained in accordance with a continuous airworthiness program under part 121 of this chapter)”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
That privilege applies only if the work was done in accordance with technical data approved by the Administrator.
“if the work was done in accordance with technical data approved by the Administrator;”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
The holder may also perform an annual, or perform or supervise a progressive inspection, according to 43.13 and 43.15.
“Perform an annual, or perform or supervise a progressive inspection according to §§ 43.13 and 43.15 of this chapter.”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
Not covered here
What §§ 43.13 and 43.15 require is in Part 43 and is not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Keeping the IA available and changing base
When exercising the privileges, the holder shall keep the inspection authorization available for inspection by the aircraft owner and by the mechanic submitting the aircraft, repair, or alteration for approval (if any).
“When he exercises the privileges of an inspection authorization the holder shall keep it available for inspection by the aircraft owner, the mechanic submitting the aircraft, repair, or alteration for approval (if any),”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
When exercising the privileges, the holder shall also present it upon the request of the Administrator or an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board, or of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.
“When he exercises the privileges of an inspection authorization the holder shall keep it available for inspection by the aircraft owner, the mechanic submitting the aircraft, repair, or alteration for approval (if any), and shall present it upon the request of the Administrator or an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board, or of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
If the holder changes the fixed base of operation, the holder may not exercise the privileges until the holder has notified the responsible Flight Standards office or International Field Office for the area in which the new base is located.
“If the holder of an inspection authorization changes his fixed base of operation, he may not exercise the privileges of the authorization until he has notified the responsible Flight Standards office or International Field Office for the area in which the new base is located,”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
That notice of the change must be in writing.
“in writing, of the change.”
14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations
Sources
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.91, Inspection authorization (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.92, Inspection authorization: Duration (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.93, Inspection authorization: Renewal (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.95, Inspection authorization: Privileges and limitations (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other FAA aviation mechanic study guides: Eligibility, ratings, knowledge, experience and skill, Privileges, recent experience and display, Who may perform maintenance and approve return to service, Maintenance and inspection records, Performance and inspection rules, Major alterations, major repairs and preventive maintenance