FAR 61.153 — ATP Eligibility Requirements
FAR 61.153 sets eligibility for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate: age, English, moral character, prior certificates, ATP-CTP, and tests.
In Plain English
FAR 61.153 lists who can earn an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate — the highest pilot certificate the FAA issues and the one required to act as PIC in Part 121 airline operations. To be eligible, you must:
- Be at least 23 years old under §§ 61.159, 61.161, or 61.163, or 21 if applying under the restricted-privileges ATP in § 61.160.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (medical limitations may be noted on the certificate).
- Be of good moral character.
- Already hold a commercial certificate with an instrument rating issued under Part 61, qualify via military experience under § 61.73, or hold an equivalent foreign ATP or commercial/instrument license from an ICAO contracting State with no geographical limitations.
- For a multiengine airplane ATP (or concurrent ME type rating), complete the ATP-CTP course under § 61.156 before the knowledge test.
- Meet the aeronautical experience for the category/class sought, and pass the knowledge and practical tests under §§ 61.155 and 61.157.
This section is the gateway rule — it ties together every other ATP requirement.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.153§ 61.153 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Meet the following age requirements:
(1) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of §§ 61.159, 61.161, or 61.163, be at least 23 years of age; or
(2) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.160, be at least 21 years of age.
(b) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft;
(c) Be of good moral character;
(d) Meet at least one of the following requirements:
(1) Holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating issued under this part;
(2) Meet the military experience requirements under § 61.73 of this part to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate, and an instrument rating if the person is a rated military pilot or former rated military pilot of an Armed Force of the United States; or
(3) Holds either a foreign airline transport pilot license with instrument privileges, or a foreign commercial pilot license with an instrument rating, that—
(i) Was issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and
(ii) Contains no geographical limitations.
(e) For an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate obtained concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating, receive a graduation certificate from an authorized training provider certifying completion of the airline transport pilot certification training program specified in § 61.156 before applying for the knowledge test required by paragraph (g) of this section;
(f) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this subpart that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought before applying for the practical test;
(g) Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas of § 61.155(c) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought;
(h) Pass the practical test on the areas of operation listed in § 61.157(e) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and
(i) Comply with the sections of this subpart that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40905, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42559, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-130, 78 FR 42374, July 15, 2013; Amdt. 61-149, 86 FR 62087, Nov. 9, 2021]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is the minimum age to obtain an ATP certificate?
Per FAR 61.153(a), you must be at least 23, or 21 if applying for a restricted-privileges ATP under § 61.160.
Q2Before taking the ATP knowledge test for a multiengine airplane rating, what training must be completed?
FAR 61.153(e) requires a graduation certificate from an authorized provider for the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) under § 61.156 before applying for the knowledge test.
Q3What prior pilot credentials satisfy ATP eligibility?
Under FAR 61.153(d), an applicant must hold a Part 61 commercial certificate with an instrument rating, qualify via military experience under § 61.73, or hold a foreign ATP or commercial/instrument license from an ICAO contracting State with no geographical limitations.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61