Airworthy PrepThe three FAA A&P written tests (General, Airframe and Powerplant) cost $175 each at PSI testing centers, so $525 for all three if you pass each first time. That is the figure testing centers publish, for example Bridgewater State University’s testing center: “All FAA Exams cost $175,” paid before your appointment (Bridgewater State University, FAA knowledge exams, checked October 25, 2026). The oral and practical tests have no FAA-set price: your designated mechanic examiner (DME) sets a fee, which the FAA says must be “reasonable” and agreed before testing. Ask several examiners for their total fee in writing before you book.
The costs at a glance
| Item | Cost | Paid to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General written test (AMG) | $175 per attempt (confirm when you book) | PSI | Testing center fee pages; see below |
| Airframe written test (AMA) | $175 per attempt | PSI | As above |
| Powerplant written test (AMP) | $175 per attempt | PSI | As above |
| Oral and practical tests (General plus each rating) | Set by the examiner, agreed before testing | Your DME | FAA Order 8900.2C, ch. 6, sec. 2, para 7 |
| FAA Form 8610-2 (application and authorization to test) | No FAA fee found | Not applicable | FAA, Become a mechanic |
| Retake of a written test | Another test fee | PSI | 14 CFR 65.19 for the wait |
| FAA study materials | Free | Not applicable | faa.gov |
| Part 147 school or paid prep | Varies; optional for test prep | School or seller | See our prep comparison |
The written test fee in detail
You pay PSI, the FAA’s testing company, when you book. The FAA’s testing pages explain how testing works but do not print a dollar amount, and PSI’s booking site shows the price only after you sign in. The $175 figure comes from testing centers that publish it, such as Bridgewater State University (linked above), and a Flying magazine report on PSI’s testing-center payments also describes the knowledge test fee as $175 (Flying, “PSI Fee Change Goes Into Effect on January 1”). We cannot confirm it from an FAA or PSI page, so check it on the booking screen.
Each written test is booked and paid for separately.
| Written test | Questions | Time | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (AMG) | 60 | 2 hours | 70% |
| Airframe (AMA) | 100 | 2 hours | 70% |
| Powerplant (AMP) | 100 | 2 hours | 70% |
Source: FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, p. 6. Our guide to how many questions the A&P tests have goes into the format.
The oral and practical fee
After the written tests, you take an oral test and a practical test for General and for each rating (14 CFR 65.79), usually with a DME. The FAA does not set the price. Its order for designees says:
- The DME “may charge a reasonable fee” for handling the forms, the use of the examiner’s facilities, equipment and materials, and administering the tests.
- “The DME and the applicant should reach a mutual understanding and agreement of the total fee for the services before beginning the tests.”
Source: FAA Order 8900.2C, chapter 6, section 2, paragraph 7 (p. 6-4).
A later FAA notice adds that designees “should have standard fees that vary based on service, not based on applicant,” and should make clear before testing any fees that apply “in the event an applicant must retest after failure” (FAA Notice N 8900.666, p. 9).
Because fees are set by each examiner, we do not quote a number. When you contact DMEs (find them with the FAA Designee Locator), ask:
- What is the total fee for General, Airframe and Powerplant oral and practical tests?
- Does that include materials and the use of your shop?
- What is the fee to retest a failed section?
- What do I need to bring?
Our oral and practical test guide explains how the tests run and what to bring.
Who is eligible to test
The FAA sets these rules in 14 CFR part 65 (eCFR):
- Age and language: at least 18, and able to read, write, speak and understand English (65.71(a)).
- Experience or school: either “an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school” (a Part 147 school), or documented practical experience of at least 18 months for one rating, or at least 30 months doing airframe and powerplant work at the same time for both (65.77).
- Written tests first: you must pass each section of the written test before applying for the oral and practical tests (65.75(b)). A Part 147 student can take the General written test before meeting the experience requirements, with a document from the school showing they have completed the General part of the course (65.75(c)).
- A 24-month window: you must pass all the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months (65.71(a)(3)). The rules also let you take a practical test with an expired written test report in some cases (65.75(d)).
On the experience route, an FAA inspector reviews your evidence and signs Block V of FAA Form 8610-2, which authorizes you to test. We found no FAA fee for this. Our guide on how to get your A&P license covers each route, and our military experience guide covers service time.
What a retake costs
If you fail a written test, oral or practical, you can retest after 30 days, or sooner with “a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating sought” certifying additional instruction in each subject failed (14 CFR 65.19). A written retake is a new booking, so plan on another test fee. An oral or practical retest costs whatever your examiner charges for it, which is why it is worth asking before you start.
Total cost: what to budget
| Scenario | Written tests | Oral and practical |
|---|---|---|
| Pass all three written tests first time | 3 x $175 = $525 | Examiner’s fee |
| Fail one written test once | 4 x $175 = $700 | Examiner’s fee |
| Fail Powerplant once and General once | 5 x $175 = $875 | Examiner’s fee |
These cover test fees only. Add any study materials, and the examiner’s fee for the oral and practical, which you should get in writing first.
How likely are you to pass first time?
| 2025 | Tests taken | Pass rate | Average score |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (AMG) | 22,585 | 69.59% | 74.02% |
| Airframe (AMA) | 16,885 | 74.01% | 75.90% |
| Powerplant (AMP) | 17,572 | 63.04% | 72.58% |
Source: FAA 2025 Airman Knowledge Test statistics. These count tests, not people, so they include retakes. About 37 of every 100 Powerplant tests in 2025 were not passes, and each of those meant another test fee. We did not find FAA pass rates for the oral and practical tests.
How to spend less
- Use the free FAA materials: the Aviation Mechanic ACS, the General, Airframe and Powerplant handbooks, and the testing supplement of figures.
- Take a full timed practice test before each booking. A $175 retake costs more than most prep. You can try a free 10-question mock for General, Airframe or Powerplant, no sign-up.
- Give Powerplant extra time. It had the lowest pass rate in 2025.
- Study the codes on your written test reports. The oral retests the subjects you missed on the written tests, so fixing them early helps you avoid an oral or practical retest. Our Oral & Practical course builds a mock oral from those codes.
- Compare examiners’ total fees, including retest fees, before you book.
Common questions
How much do the A&P written tests cost?
$175 each at PSI testing centers, as listed by testing centers on October 25, 2026, so $525 for all three. Confirm the fee when you book.
How much does the A&P oral and practical cost?
The FAA does not set a price. Your DME may charge a reasonable fee, agreed before testing (FAA Order 8900.2C). Ask several examiners for their total fee and retest fee.
Does the FAA charge for the mechanic certificate?
We found no FAA fee for Form 8610-2 or the certificate. Your costs are the test fees and the examiner’s fee.
How long do I have to pass all the A&P tests?
You must pass all the prescribed tests within 24 months (14 CFR 65.71(a)(3)).
How soon can I retake a failed A&P test?
After 30 days, or sooner with a signed statement from a certificated mechanic with the rating you seek, certifying extra instruction in each subject you failed (14 CFR 65.19).