The Aviation Technician Educational Council (ATEC) is asking the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer more graduates the ability to take the aviation mechanic exam earlier in their training.

The petition filed by ATEC proposes that those who hold the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential should be able to take the FAA Aviation Mechanic General written knowledge test even if they have not yet fulfilled all experience requirements.

To earn the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential, students must complete the following steps:

• Completing the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum
• Receiving a teacher endorsement verifying readiness
• Passing the ATEC Credential examination

Students who earn this credential then must take the FAA Aviation Mechanic General knowledge test within 12 months of passing the ATEC Credential exam.

ATEC’s proposed exemption would not reduce experience requirements but would adjust the timing and documentation requirements, enabling students to complete their FAA written test freshly upon learning general knowledge.

To earn a mechanic certificate or rating, students will still need to meet experience requirements and pass all exams, including:

• Written
• Oral
• Practical

With this expanded pathway, ATEC aims to fill vacancies later in the AMT program, allowing more students to progress toward earning their mechanic certification.

Employers could also benefit from the change, as they’d be able to create new pathways to employment for students who pass the test before finishing experience requirements, such as:

• “Grow-your-own” programs
• Apprenticeships
• Recruitment

ATEC noted, “Earlier testing would give participants a tangible connection to mechanic certification and encourage them to continue through AMTS training or qualifying employment.”

The FAA is expected to eventually publish a summary of the petition and offer a period for public comments.