Taking the A&P Exam as a Non-Native English Speaker

October 8, 2026 · Based on 14 CFR 65.71, FAA Advisory Circular 60-28B, and FAA-S-ACS-1 · Updated October 13, 2026

To get an FAA mechanic certificate, you must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English (14 CFR 65.71). You do not need to sound like a native speaker: the FAA's English standard expects an accent that other aviation people can understand, not a perfect one. The A&P oral is spoken and you cannot use references, so the best preparation is to practice saying technical answers out loud in English.

What the A&P exam English requirement says

The English requirement for mechanics is in 14 CFR 65.71(a)(2). To be eligible for a mechanic certificate and its ratings, a person must:

"Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, or in the case of an applicant who does not meet this requirement and who is employed outside of the United States by a U.S. air carrier, have his certificate endorsed 'Valid only outside the United States'"

14 CFR 65.71(a)(2), eCFR.

So there is one narrow exception. It applies only to an applicant employed outside the United States by a U.S. air carrier, and that certificate carries the endorsement "Valid only outside the United States." For everyone else, all four skills are required: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.

How the FAA defines "good enough" English

The FAA explains its English standard in Advisory Circular 60-28B, which covers certificates issued under parts 61, 63, 65, and 107, including mechanics. The AC calls this the Aviation English Language Standard (AELS). Its core idea is that a certificate holder or applicant should be able to communicate in English "in a discernible and understandable manner" with air traffic control, pilots, and others involved in preparing an aircraft for flight and operating it.

The AC sets the minimum at ICAO Operational Level 4 and describes what that level looks like. Several points are encouraging for non-native speakers:

In plain words: an accent is fine, small grammar mistakes are fine, and asking "Could you repeat that?" is part of the standard, not a weakness. What matters is that people can understand you and you can understand them.

The AC also asks anyone conducting a practical test to evaluate whether the applicant meets this standard. It is clear on one point: a limitation on the certificate is given only for a medical reason, such as a hearing impairment. It does not apply to applicants who cannot meet the requirement because of a lack of fluency or comprehension. The AC itself is guidance, not a regulation. The rule is 65.71.

Why the oral is where English matters most

The oral is where your English is tested hardest, because you must explain technical topics out loud with no notes. The ACS says that during the oral, the applicant is not allowed to use any reference material to answer the examiner's questions. There are three separate oral tests (General, Airframe, and Powerplant), and the FAA applies the 70 percent minimum to each one as a whole.

The number of questions depends on your knowledge test results. Each ACS code you missed adds one question, on top of at least four random questions per section. Our guide to ACS codes and the oral exam explains how that works, and the A&P oral and practical exam guide covers the full test day.

Here is the good part: the FAA's Mechanic Test Generator FAQ says every test item has an ACS code and is found in the current FAA handbooks or the other documents listed in the ACS companion guide. The topics and technical terms on the oral come from those documents, so you can learn them in advance.

Practical ways to prepare in English

The most useful preparation is to learn the handbook vocabulary and say it out loud often. These are study tips, not FAA rules:

• Build your own word list from the handbooks. As you read FAA-H-8083-30B (General), -31B (Airframe), and -32B (Powerplant), write down every term you would have trouble saying or explaining. Learn the English definition in your own words.
• Practice pronunciation of terms out loud. Some terms sound alike but mean different things, like anodizing and alodizing. Say them slowly until they feel normal. Record yourself on your phone and listen back.
• Answer in short, simple sentences. You do not need complex grammar. "The grip length is the unthreaded part of the bolt. It should equal the thickness of the material." That is a clear, complete answer.
• Speak slowly. If you tend to speed up when you are nervous, slow down on purpose. Slower speech is easier to follow.
• Ask the examiner to repeat or rephrase. If you did not catch a word, say so. "Could you repeat the question, please?" is a normal request. The AC itself lists checking, confirming, and clarifying as part of good communication.
• Paraphrase when a word escapes you. If you forget a term, describe it. "The nut you safety with a cotter pin" is better than silence. Then try to give the correct name if it comes back to you.
• Practice with someone who asks questions. Listening to a question and answering right away is harder than reading. A study partner, a mentor at work, or an instructor can ask you questions in English so you get used to the rhythm.

For more help staying calm in the room, see how to pass the A&P oral without freezing up.

Practice these vocabulary-heavy questions out loud

These four questions from our FAA-sourced question pool are useful because the key words must be said and explained clearly. Read the question, answer out loud in English, then compare with the summary.

Try each answer twice: once slowly and carefully, and once at a normal speaking pace. If a word trips you up both times, add it to your word list.

Sources

• 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (mechanics), eCFR.
• FAA, AC 60-28B, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107 (PDF, editorial update 5/19/25).
• FAA, FAA-S-ACS-1, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, Appendix 1.
• FAA, Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (updated 5/22/2023).
• FAA, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, General (FAA-H-8083-30B), chapters 5, 7, and 8.
• FAA, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 3.

About this guide: drafted with AI from the FAA sources listed on this page and checked claim by claim against them. Not reviewed by an A&P mechanic or DME. How we make our guides