Failed an A&P Written Test? Retake Rules and Next Steps
After a failed airframe and powerplant (A&P) written test, you may apply for retesting after 30 days have passed since the date you failed the test. Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 65.19(b), you may apply earlier if you present the required signed statement. This guide covers the written test; oral and practical (O&P) retests are a separate stage.
14 CFR 65.19 — §65.19(a); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · 14 CFR 65.19 — §65.19(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable
On this page
What exactly does the 30-day rule require?
Section 65.19 itself covers written, oral, and practical retests under Part 65. For the earlier route, the signer must be an airman holding the certificate and rating you seek. The signer must certify that they have given you additional instruction in each subject you failed and that they consider you ready for retesting. A friend’s encouragement or a generic endorsement that omits those conditions is not the statement described in this rule.
14 CFR 65.19 — §65.19 opening; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · 14 CFR 65.19 — §65.19(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable
What must you bring for a written retake?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, revised September 25, 2026, requires submitting the failed report to the testing center before retesting. Matrix Note 1 requires the 30-day wait when the applicant presents a failed report but no retesting endorsement. Note 2 describes the earlier signed-statement route with the certificate, rating, additional-instruction, and readiness conditions.
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT retest authorization, Note 3 · FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT retest authorization, Note 1 · FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT retest authorization, Note 2
Two FAA sources describe the paperwork differently
The FAA mechanic FAQ, updated June 9, 2026, says to present Form 8610-2 and a valid AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report, for the preceding test. The September 25, 2026 matrix instead lists passing, expired, or failed reports, or other acceptable first-take authorization, and its after-failure note specifically requires the failed report. The two FAA descriptions are not identical. Check both with the testing center before your appointment; this article cannot replace the center’s document review.
Become a Mechanic Frequently Asked Questions (updated June 9, 2026) — What documents must I present to retake a previously-failed AMT knowledge test?; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT retest authorization
The matrix tells the proctor to scan the failed report, verify electronic storage, and then destroy it. Keep a personal study copy before the appointment, and ask the center which copy and authorization documents it needs.
What happens to the test and the next report?
Under 14 CFR 65.75(b), a report of the written test is sent to the applicant. FAA Order 8900.1 adds that this report states the grade, in percent, achieved on the test. Use the report from the new attempt for your next review; do not assume its missed areas will match the previous attempt. The cited rules do not promise that a retest uses the identical questions or answer order.
14 CFR 65.75 — §65.75(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 8, PDF 8; 5-5-11-5E3)f)1
Our advice: prepare for the written retake and later O&P
With the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) open, look up the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) and read the FAA source sections behind them, rather than memorizing a list of answer letters. For each weak area, write down what you could not explain, review it with an instructor or a certificated mechanic, and practice explaining it with the source closed. Reopen the reference to check omissions and review other applicable subjects too. These are our study suggestions, not a substitute for the additional instruction and signed statement required if you use the earlier retest route.
Keep written retakes separate from O&P retest scope
An oral practice tool alongside written study
DMEReady is an artificial intelligence (AI) voice examiner for the A&P oral: you answer out loud in your phone or computer browser, and it asks follow-up questions the way a designated mechanic examiner (DME) would. It is an AI examiner, not a human DME, and it is not a written-test question bank or hands-on practical training. The first drill is free, with no sign-up; afterward, a report shows what you covered, what you missed, what a complete answer includes, and where to read in the FAA handbooks. DMEReady is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA.
Frequently asked questions
Must I always wait 30 days for a failed A&P written retake?
No. Under 14 CFR 65.19(b), you may apply before the 30 days have expired if you present the required signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating you are seeking.
14 CFR 65.19 — §65.19(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable
Can any instructor sign the earlier-retake statement?
Not any instructor: the signer must be an airman holding the certificate and rating you are seeking. Under 14 CFR 65.19(b), that airman certifies that they gave you additional instruction in each subject you failed and consider you ready for retesting.
14 CFR 65.19 — §65.19(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable
Do I bring the failed report to the test center?
Yes. The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) requires an applicant retesting after failure to submit the failed Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) to the testing center before retesting. Confirm the complete paperwork list with the center, because the FAA Become a Mechanic FAQ describes the documents differently.
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT retest authorization, Note 3 · Become a Mechanic Frequently Asked Questions (updated June 9, 2026) — What documents must I present to retake a previously-failed AMT knowledge test?; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable
Does this article describe which O&P projects I will retake?
No. This guide covers written retests only; O&P retest scope is covered in our separate failed oral and practical retest guide.
For fee planning, read the DME exam cost guide.
Primary sources
- 14 CFR 65.19
- 14 CFR 65.75
- 14 CFR 65.80
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026)
- Become a Mechanic Frequently Asked Questions (updated June 9, 2026)
- Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023)
- FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024)
Before the oral
Under 14 CFR 65.75(b), you must pass each section of the written test before applying for the O&P, unless your certificated aviation maintenance technician school shows the FAA that you have made satisfactory progress and are prepared, and you take the O&P during the final subjects of your training under 14 CFR 65.80.
14 CFR 65.75 — §65.75(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · 14 CFR 65.80 — §65.80; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable
The Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) adds one oral question for each distinct missed code among the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR), plus at least four randomly generated oral questions per applicable section. Several missed written questions under one code add only one additional oral question. Use written study to build explanations you can give without answer choices, then check each explanation against its FAA source.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 3 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions · Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 4 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions
Practice explaining it out loud
Oral coming up soon? Try the full thing free for 30 days
We are running a small pilot before launch. If your oral and practical is in the next few weeks, you get every section of the voice mock oral free for 30 days, no card. In return, tell us honestly what helped and what didn’t.
Start the free pilotLimited spots. The pilot closes on November 30.
Passed a written? Get your oral study plan by email
Paste the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). We’ll email you a study plan now, then two short tasks built from your codes: one on day 3, one on day 7. That’s all.
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
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