Convert your SACAA licence to FAA
Holding an SACAA 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. Every requirement below is set by FAA, the authority issuing your new licence.
The FAA requirements, level by level
Everything FAA requires of a SACAA 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 conversion
Start the paperwork first
Licence verification and application processing is usually the slowest step — authorities commonly take weeks to months. Lodge it before you book anything else.
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.
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 the 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
SACAA → FAA: frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake theory exams to convert my SACAA 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 SACAA 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
Conversions take months. Line up the seat while you work through the FAArequirements: tell us your hours and ratings once, and we'll send the roles you actually qualify for as they post.
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