FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) — Eligibility, Privileges, and Renewal

What an IA Is and Is Not

An Inspection Authorization is an FAA authorization held by certificated A&P mechanics; it is not a certificate in itself. Under 14 CFR §65.95, an IA holder may conduct annual inspections on aircraft and return them to service, approve aircraft for return to service after major repairs and major alterations (when the work is performed in accordance with approved data), and perform progressive inspections when the FAA has approved a progressive inspection program for an aircraft. The IA does not authorize the holder to perform maintenance beyond their underlying A&P certificate — it only adds the authority to conduct annual inspections and sign off major work. Holders must hold both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings to qualify.

Eligibility Requirements Under 14 CFR §65.91

To qualify for an IA, you must meet all of the following requirements under 14 CFR §65.91: (1) Hold a current A&P certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings. (2) Have held the A&P certificate for at least 3 years total. (3) Have actively exercised the privileges of that certificate for at least 2 years immediately preceding the application — meaning you must have worked as a mechanic on type-certificated aircraft, not just held the paper certificate. (4) Have a fixed base of operations — a shop, hangar, or facility where you perform maintenance. This fixed-base requirement distinguishes IAs from roving or contract-only mechanics who do not operate from a consistent maintenance location. The FAA evaluates your eligibility through your local FSDO (Flight Standards District Office).

The IA Knowledge Test

Before an FSDO can issue an IA, you must pass the FAA IA knowledge test (test code IRA — Inspection Authorization) at an authorized testing center (currently administered by PSI). The test covers: 14 CFR Parts 39 (Airworthiness Directives), 43 (Maintenance), 65 (Certification), 91 (General Operating Rules), and 145 (Repair Stations); approved maintenance data (ADs, manufacturer's maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and FAA-approved data); inspection procedures and standards; and the specific privileges and limitations of the IA. A passing score is 70% or higher. Your test results are presented to the FSDO when you apply for the IA. The IA knowledge test is separate from the three A&P written tests and is taken after you already hold your A&P certificate.

IA Privileges Under 14 CFR §65.95

Under 14 CFR §65.95, an IA holder's privileges include: performing annual inspections on aircraft and issuing an airworthiness certificate after a satisfactory annual inspection; approving aircraft for return to service after major repairs or major alterations when the work is performed in accordance with FAA-approved or acceptable data; and performing or supervising progressive inspections in accordance with an FAA-approved program. The IA does not authorize the holder to approve aircraft that have been repaired or altered in ways that do not conform to approved data. Holders must exercise their IA privileges at their fixed base of operations; performing annual inspections from a transient location (without a fixed base) is not authorized. The IA may be suspended or revoked if privileges are exercised outside these limits.

Biennial Renewal by March 31 of Each Odd-Numbered Year

Under 14 CFR §65.93, an Inspection Authorization is effective from the date of issue through March 31 of the next odd-numbered year (e.g., issued in 2024 → valid through March 31, 2025; issued in 2025 → valid through March 31, 2027). To renew, you must submit your renewal application to your FSDO before March 31 of the odd-year deadline. Renewal requires demonstrating that you have remained active: you must have performed at least one annual inspection, approved a major repair or alteration, or passed the IA knowledge test during the preceding IA period. If you allow your IA to lapse, you must reapply as if for an initial IA. Mark the March 31 odd-year deadline prominently — missing it by even one day requires a full reapplication.

Practical Considerations for Pursuing an IA

Most candidates apply for an IA after accumulating 3–5 years of A&P experience on type-certificated general aviation aircraft. Establishing a fixed base of operations before you apply is essential; the FSDO will typically inspect the location to confirm it is suitable for performing annual inspections. Study all the regulatory parts listed in the IA knowledge test syllabus, with particular attention to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D (scope and detail of items to be included in an annual inspection) and Part 39 (how to research and comply with applicable ADs). After earning the IA, keeping meticulous records of each annual inspection and major repair/alteration approval is critical both for renewal documentation and to protect yourself in the event of an enforcement action.

What the IA Knowledge Test Covers

The IA knowledge test is a different animal from the three A&P written tests, and candidates who prepare for it as though it were a fourth mechanic test are preparing for the wrong exam.

The A&P tests are about how aircraft work. The IA test is about the regulatory framework for approving them for return to service: what constitutes a major repair or major alteration, what data is acceptable and what is approved, how to find and apply Airworthiness Directives, what the annual inspection scope actually is, and how the paperwork must be completed and preserved.

That shifts the source material. The centre of gravity is 14 CFR Parts 43 and 91 — particularly Part 43 Appendices A, B and D, which define major repairs and alterations, the content of maintenance records, and the scope and detail of an annual or 100-hour inspection — together with Advisory Circular 43.13-1B and 43.13-2B as acceptable methods, techniques and practices, and the FAA's guidance on Form 337.

The practical implication is that IA preparation is reading regulatory text and learning to navigate it, not reviewing systems knowledge. An experienced mechanic who has never had to decide whether a given alteration is major is starting from close to zero on the material that dominates the test.

The Paperwork an IA Signs

An Inspection Authorization is, in day-to-day practice, a signature authority — and the documents it authorises you to sign are the substance of the privilege.

Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration, is the central one. When a major repair or major alteration is performed, the 337 records what was done and on what approved data, and the IA's approval for return to service is what makes the aircraft legal to fly. Copies go to the aircraft records and to the FAA. Getting a 337 wrong is not a clerical matter; it is an airworthiness matter that can surface years later during a pre-purchase inspection or an accident investigation.

The annual inspection record entry is the other. It has required content and required wording, and it makes a specific statement: that the aircraft was inspected in accordance with an annual inspection and was determined to be in airworthy condition — or, where it was not, a signed and dated list of the discrepancies provided to the owner.

That last point is where new IAs most often need care. Finding an aircraft unairworthy is a normal and correct outcome of an inspection, and the regulation provides for it. An IA who feels pressure to sign an aircraft off as airworthy because the owner is waiting is being asked to take a risk that belongs to nobody but the person signing.

Losing an IA, and Getting It Back

An Inspection Authorization is easier to lose than an A&P certificate, because it is renewed rather than held.

The authorisation expires on 31 March of each odd-numbered year, and it must be renewed by demonstrating that you have met the activity requirements of 14 CFR 65.93 during the preceding period — a defined amount of inspection or approval work, or attendance at an approved refresher course, or an oral test administered by the FAA. Miss the deadline and the authorisation lapses.

The regulation also requires you to continue meeting the eligibility conditions of 65.91 throughout: still holding the A&P, still actively engaged in maintaining aircraft, still maintaining a fixed base of operations and the equipment and data needed to do the work. An IA who leaves hands-on maintenance for an office role can find they no longer meet the basis on which the authorisation was issued.

Recovering a lapsed authorisation means re-qualifying, which in practice means the knowledge test again. The lesson is administrative rather than technical: track the renewal date, track your qualifying activity against the 65.93 requirements as you go rather than reconstructing it in March, and book a refresher course early if your activity is likely to fall short.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need both Airframe and Powerplant ratings to get an IA?

Yes. Under 14 CFR §65.91, an IA requires that you hold a current A&P certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings. You cannot hold an IA with only one rating.

Can I perform annual inspections anywhere, or only at my fixed base?

The IA requires a fixed base of operations, and the FAA expects you to exercise your privileges there. While you may travel to an aircraft's location to perform an inspection in some circumstances, the fixed-base requirement is real — an IA is not intended for mechanics who have no stable maintenance facility. Confirm with your local FSDO if you have questions about a specific situation.

What happens if I miss the March 31 odd-year renewal deadline?

Your IA lapses on April 1 of the odd-numbered year if you do not renew by March 31. You lose IA privileges immediately. To reinstate them, you must apply for a new initial IA — you cannot simply pay a late fee. Reapplication requires meeting all §65.91 eligibility criteria again and passing the IA knowledge test if required by your FSDO.

Is the IA knowledge test the same as the A&P written tests?

No. The IA knowledge test (test code IRA) is a separate, standalone test taken after you hold your A&P certificate. It focuses specifically on inspection authority, approved maintenance data, AD research, and the regulatory framework for annual and progressive inspections. It is taken at PSI test centers, requires a 70% passing score, and results must be presented to your FSDO when applying for the IA.

What records do I need to renew my IA?

For renewal under §65.93, you must demonstrate recent activity. Acceptable evidence includes records of annual inspections you performed, major repair or alteration approvals you signed, or a current passing IA knowledge test result. Keep a logbook or record of every annual inspection and major approval you sign — these records are your renewal documentation.

Is an IA worth it if I work for an airline?

Often not directly. Inspection Authorization privileges centre on approving major repairs and alterations for return to service and on performing annual inspections, which is general aviation work. An airline operates under its own approved maintenance programme with its own inspection and return-to-service structure, so an IA may add little to the day job. Where it does pay is on the side: general aviation work, ownership, or a later move out of the airline environment.

Does an IA let me work on any aircraft?

No. An IA does not extend the scope of your A&P certificate — it adds an approval authority on top of it. You still work within your ratings and within the limits of 14 CFR 43, and the regulation requires you to have the equipment, facilities and current technical data appropriate to the specific work. Large aircraft and aircraft operated under Parts 121 and 135 have their own maintenance frameworks that an IA does not override.

ACS subject areas covered here

These are the FAA Mechanic ACS areas this guide maps to. Each page breaks the area down and carries free practice questions with worked rationales.

• Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications (AM.I.I)
• Inspection Concepts and Techniques (AM.I.K)
• Airframe Inspection (AM.II.D)
• Engine Inspection (AM.III.C)

Primary sources

• 14 CFR §65.91 — Inspection Authorization: Eligibility (eCFR)
• 14 CFR §65.93 — Inspection Authorization: Duration (eCFR)
• 14 CFR §65.95 — Inspection Authorization: Privileges and Limitations (eCFR)
• 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D — Scope and Detail of Annual Inspection (eCFR)

Related guides

• Aircraft Type Ratings for A&P Mechanics — What They Are and Why They Matter
• How to Become an FAA Aircraft Mechanic (A&P Certificate Guide)
• FAA A&P Oral and Practical Test — What to Expect from the DME Exam