A&P IA 2026: Inspection Authorization Rules and the IA Test

Who can get an A&P IA?

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 65.91 sets five conditions:

A mechanic certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, each in effect for a total of at least 3 years
At least 2 years actively maintaining aircraft certificated and maintained under 14 CFR, right before you apply
A fixed base of operations where you can be reached in person or by phone during a normal working week
The equipment, facilities and inspection data to inspect airframes, powerplants and propellers properly
A pass on the written test on inspecting to safety standards

You start at a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), where an inspector checks the first four conditions. AC 65‑30B says the inspector then endorses block 14 of FAA Form 8610‑1, and that endorsement is valid for 30 days.

Form 8610-2 and related forms →

The IA knowledge test

The FAA’s testing matrix lists the Inspection Authorization test (IAR) at 50 questions, 3 hours and a passing score of 70, with a minimum age of 21. It’s given only at test centers authorized for it, and the endorsed Form 8610‑1 is your authorization. AC 65‑30B says you may see 51 to 53 questions, because up to three are unscored trial questions, with extra time for them. The test uses its own supplement, FAA-CT-8080‑8D.

Fail, and you wait at least 90 days, then get a fresh endorsed 8610‑1 from the FAA office before retesting. In 2025 the FAA counted 1,117 IA tests, with a pass rate of 90.78%.

FAA: Inspection Authorization Information Guide, FAA-G-8082-19 (PDF) ↗

Keeping an IA

Every IA expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year (14 CFR 65.92). To renew it for 2 years, you show in March of an odd-numbered year that you meet the first four conditions. You also need one of these activities by March 31 of the first year, and another in the second:

At least one annual inspection for each 90 days you held the IA
At least two major repairs or major alterations for each 90 days
At least one progressive inspection
A refresher course of at least 8 hours that the FAA accepts
An oral test with an FAA inspector

The 2026 proposal: an inspection rating

On July 1, 2026 the FAA published a proposed rule, Mechanic Certification: Inspection Rating and Recent Experience Requirements. It would replace the IA with an inspection rating on the mechanic certificate, with the same privileges and limits. The rating wouldn’t expire or need renewing. Instead, you’d keep records of rolling activities over the past 24 calendar months. Mechanics holding an IA when a final rule takes effect would be entitled to a replacement certificate with the rating, and the separate written test would stay, based on an Inspection Rating Airman Certification Standards the FAA drafted for the proposal.

Comments closed on August 31, 2026. Until a final rule takes effect, the IA rules above apply. You can follow the proposal under docket FAA-2026‑6671.

Federal Register: the July 1, 2026 proposed rule ↗

Sources: GovInfo · FAA · Federal Register and 3 more. Checked November 2026.