Graduation Certificate

FAR 141.95 Graduation Certificate

FAR 141.95 explains what a Part 141 pilot school graduation certificate must include, when it's issued, and who certifies it. Study guide for pilot students.

In Plain English

FAR 141.95 requires every Part 141 pilot school (or provisional pilot school) to issue a graduation certificate to each student who finishes its approved course of training. This certificate is your proof that you completed an FAA-approved curriculum — important because Part 141 graduates often qualify for reduced minimum flight hours on certificates and ratings compared to Part 61.

The graduation certificate must be issued upon completion of the course and must contain at least:

  • The school's name and certificate number
  • The graduate's name
  • The course of training completed
  • The date of graduation
  • A statement that the student satisfactorily completed each required stage of training, including stage tests
  • A certification by the chief instructor for that course
  • A statement showing the cross-country training received
  • For internet-based courses, a unique alphanumeric code identifying the specific student

Operationally, you'll present this certificate (or its information) to a DPE or the FAA when applying for the certificate or rating the course was approved for.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 141.95
§ 141.95 Graduation certificate. (a) The holder of a pilot school certificate or provisional pilot school certificate must issue a graduation certificate to each student who completes its approved course of training. (b) The graduation certificate must be issued to the student upon completion of the course of training and contain at least the following information: (1) The name of the school and the certificate number of the school; (2) The name of the graduate to whom it was issued; (3) The course of training for which it was issued; (4) The date of graduation; (5) A statement that the student has satisfactorily completed each required stage of the approved course of training including the tests for those stages; (6) A certification of the information contained on the graduation certificate by the chief instructor for that course of training; and (7) A statement showing the cross-country training that the student received in the course of training. (8) Certificates issued upon graduating from a course based on internet media must be uniquely identified using an alphanumeric code that is specific to the student graduating from that course. [Docket 25910, 62 FR 16347, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 141-9, 62 FR 40908, July 30, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 141-15, 76 FR 54108, Aug. 31, 2011]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What document must a Part 141 school give you when you finish an approved course, and what's on it?
Per FAR 141.95, the school must issue a graduation certificate containing the school's name and certificate number, your name, the course completed, graduation date, a statement that you satisfactorily completed each required stage and stage tests, the chief instructor's certification, and a statement of cross-country training received.
Q2Who is responsible for certifying the information on a Part 141 graduation certificate?
FAR 141.95(b)(6) requires the chief instructor for that course of training to certify the information contained on the graduation certificate.
Q3If your ground school course was completed online, is there anything special required on the graduation certificate?
Yes — FAR 141.95(b)(8) requires that certificates issued upon graduating from a course based on internet media be uniquely identified using an alphanumeric code specific to the student graduating from that course.
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FAR 141.95 — Pilot School Graduation Certificate