Convert your EASA licence to FAA
Holding an EASA pilot licence and moving to the United States? Here's the full picture of converting to an FAA licence — the paperwork, exams, flight test, medical and English requirements at PPL, CPL and ATPL level, with links to FAA's official pages. A bilateral agreement can streamline part of this route (see below). Every requirement below is set by FAA, the authority issuing your new licence.
Bilateral: EASA ⇄ FAA (BASA)
The EU–US BASA streamlines private (PPL) conversion. For commercial/ATP you complete the full FAA process above.
The FAA requirements, level by level
Everything FAA requires of an EASA licence holder — application, theory exams, flight test, medical and English — at each licence level, grounded in FAA's official pages (linked below).
PPL — Private Pilot Licence
- Application & verification
- Start the IACRA “Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical” — this takes the FAA roughly 45–90 days. Your U.S. private certificate is then issued under 14 CFR 61.75 on the basis of your foreign licence.
- Theory exams
- No FAA knowledge (written) test is required for a 61.75 private certificate — it is issued administratively on the basis of your foreign licence.
- Flight test
- No FAA practical test (checkride) is required for the 61.75 private certificate.
- Medical
- Hold at least an FAA Third-Class medical from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to exercise the privileges.
- English proficiency
- You must be able to read, speak, write and understand English; the certificate carries an “English proficient” endorsement.
- Worth knowing
- A 61.75 certificate carries only private privileges and is tied to your foreign licence remaining valid.
CPL — Commercial Pilot Licence
- Application & verification
- Commercial privileges require a stand-alone FAA Commercial Pilot certificate (14 CFR 61.123) — the 61.75 administrative route does not grant them. Still begin with the IACRA foreign-licence verification.
- Theory exams
- Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot (CAX) knowledge test.
- Flight test
- Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot practical test (checkride) with a Designated Pilot Examiner.
- Medical
- Hold at least an FAA Second-Class medical from an AME.
- English proficiency
- Read/speak/write/understand English (the test and checkride are conducted in English).
ATPL — Airline Transport Pilot Licence
- Application & verification
- Apply for an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate under 14 CFR 61.153; foreign ATPL holders apply under 61.153(d)(3). Begin with IACRA foreign-licence verification.
- Theory exams
- Complete the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) and pass the ATP knowledge test (multi-engine aeroplane).
- Flight test
- Pass the ATP practical test; meet the experience minimums (e.g. 1,500 hours total time) and be at least 23 years old.
- Medical
- Hold an FAA First-Class medical for airline (Part 121) operations.
- English proficiency
- Full English proficiency required.
Requirements change — always confirm the current rules with FAA before you start. Official links below.
Planning your FAA conversion
Lodge the IACRA verification before anything else
The FAA's foreign-licence verification is the long pole — it commonly runs 45–90 days, and the rest of the process waits on it. Start it the day you decide to convert. Start the IACRA “Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical” — this takes the FAA roughly 45–90 days. Your U.S. private certificate is then issued under 14 CFR 61.75 on the basis of your foreign licence.
Book the medical early
The medical gates your exams and skill test, and it's where surprises surface. Sitting it early means you find out about any issues before you've paid for training or test slots. For FAA commercial privileges: Hold at least an FAA Second-Class medical from an AME.
Keep your current licence and medical valid
Verification is done against a valid licence, and some routes stay tied to it after issue — letting it lapse mid-conversion can stall or unwind the process.
Confirm fees on FAA's official pages
You'll typically pay separately for the application, each theory exam, the medical examination and the skill test. Amounts change — use the official links on this page for current fee schedules.
Work through it step by step
AvLink's interactive converter turns this guide into your own checklist for any licence and country pair — tick off each requirement as you go, and see the United States roles you'd qualify for on the other side.
Open the interactive converterOfficial FAA sources
EASA → FAA: frequently asked questions
Is there a shortcut to convert a EASA licence to FAA?
The EU–US BASA streamlines private (PPL) conversion. For commercial/ATP you complete the full FAA process above.
Do I have to retake theory exams to convert my EASA licence to FAA?
For a commercial licence: Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot (CAX) knowledge test. PPL and ATPL theory requirements differ — see the level-by-level breakdown on this page.
Do I need a flight test (skill test) for an FAA commercial licence?
Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot practical test (checkride) with a Designated Pilot Examiner. Requirements at PPL and ATPL level are listed above.
What medical do I need to convert to an FAA licence?
For commercial privileges: Hold at least an FAA Second-Class medical from an AME. For private privileges: Hold at least an FAA Third-Class medical from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to exercise the privileges.
Does my ICAO English proficiency transfer to FAA?
Read/speak/write/understand English (the test and checkride are conducted in English).
How do I apply to convert my EASA licence to FAA?
Commercial privileges require a stand-alone FAA Commercial Pilot certificate (14 CFR 61.123) — the 61.75 administrative route does not grant them. Still begin with the IACRA foreign-licence verification. The official FAA pages linked on this page cover the current forms and process.
While your conversion is underway
Get the United States roles that match your licence — emailed weekly
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