(2) 14 CFR part 61, section 105 (if preparing for the private pilot knowledge test); or
(3) 14 CFR part 61, section 309 (if preparing for the sport pilot knowledge test).
The regulations require an applicant to have logged ground training from an authorized
instructor, or to present evidence of having satisfactorily completed a course of
instruction or home-study course in the knowledge areas appropriate to the category and
class aircraft for the rating sought.
5. Q: What document or documents must I present prior to taking a knowledge test?
A: An applicant for a knowledge test must present appropriate personal identification. The
identification must include a photograph of the applicant, the applicant’s signature, and
the applicant’s actual residential address (if different from the mailing address). This
information may be presented in more than one form. The applicant must also present
one of the following:
(1) A certificate of graduation from an FAA-approved pilot school or pilot training
course appropriate to the certificate or rating sought, or a statement of
accomplishment from the school certifying the satisfactory completion of the
ground-school portion of such a course.
(2) A written statement or logbook endorsement from an FAA-Certificated Ground or
Flight Instructor, certifying that the applicant has satisfactorily completed an
applicable ground training or home-study course and is prepared for the
knowledge test.
(3) A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground-school
course appropriate to the certificate or rating sought conducted by an agency, such
as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol, or an
ROTC Flight Training Program.
(4) A certificate of graduation from a home-study course developed by the aeronautical
enterprise providing the study material. The certificate of graduation must
correspond to the FAA knowledge test for the certificate or rating sought. The
aeronautical enterprise providing the course of study must also supply a
comprehensive knowledge test, which can be scored as evidence that the student
has completed the course of study. When the student satisfactorily completes the
knowledge test, it is sent to the course provider for scoring by an FAA-Certificated
Ground or Flight Instructor. The instructor personally evaluates the test and attests
to the student’s knowledge of the subjects presented in the course. Upon
satisfactory completion, a graduation certificate is sent to the student.
(5) In the event of retesting after a failure, the applicant must present the unsatisfactory
Airman Test Report. If the applicant elects to retest for a higher score, the
satisfactory Airman Test Report must be surrendered to the test administrator.
6. Q: If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to determine the areas in which I need
additional work, so I can study for a retest?
A: Yes. You will receive an Airman Test Report from the testing center. The test report will
contain your test score and will also list topic and content descriptions for the areas in
Change 1 (February 2016) 15