FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Requirements

To qualify for an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, you must be at least 23 years old, be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, pass the required aircraft dispatcher knowledge test, pass the practical test, and satisfy the FAA’s experience or approved-training requirement.

You may take the Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test beginning at age 21. Applicants without qualifying aviation experience can meet the experience-or-training requirement by successfully completing an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course.

This guide explains the FAA requirements in 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart C, including age, English proficiency, training or experience, the knowledge test, the practical test, and what happens if you complete testing before age 23.

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FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Requirements at a Glance

Aircraft dispatcher certification is governed by 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart C. The FAA separates the requirements for taking the knowledge test from the requirements for receiving the certificate itself.

Requirement FAA Standard What It Means
Minimum age for knowledge test 21 years old You must be at least 21 to take the Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test.
Minimum age for certificate 23 years old You must be at least 23 before the FAA can issue an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.
English proficiency Required You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Knowledge test Required You must pass the FAA-required Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test.
Experience or approved course Required You must document qualifying experience or successfully complete an approved aircraft dispatcher course.
Practical test Required You must successfully demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards.
FAA medical certificate Not listed as a Part 65 Subpart C certification requirement Aircraft dispatcher certification does not use the pilot medical-certificate requirement.
College degree Not required by Part 65 Subpart C The federal eligibility rules do not require a college degree to obtain the certificate.

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What Is the Minimum Age for an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate?

The FAA uses two important ages for aircraft dispatcher certification. Under 14 CFR §65.53, you must be at least 21 years old to take the Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test. To be eligible for the Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate itself, you must be at least 23 years old.

An applicant who is at least 21, has passed the knowledge test, and otherwise qualifies may take the Aircraft Dispatcher practical test before turning 23. If an applicant under 23 passes the practical test, the FAA can issue a Letter of Aeronautical Competency instead of an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

The Letter of Aeronautical Competency is not an FAA certificate and does not carry dispatcher certificate privileges. It also does not automatically become a certificate when the applicant turns 23. FAA guidance states that the applicant must present the letter and appropriate identification to an FAA Flight Standards office after reaching age 23 to obtain a temporary Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

Age What You May Be Eligible to Do Important Limitation
Under 21 Prepare for future dispatcher training and certification. You are not yet eligible to take the Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test.
Age 21-22 Take the knowledge test and, when otherwise qualified, complete the practical test. You cannot yet be issued the Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.
Age 23+ Qualify for issuance of the Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate after meeting all other requirements. All Part 65 eligibility, testing, and experience/training requirements still apply.

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What English Proficiency Is Required?

The FAA requires an applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate to be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

That requirement is especially relevant to dispatch work because the training and certification process involves technical regulations, weather information, NOTAMs, aircraft performance information, flight planning, operational documents, and communication with other aviation professionals.

English is therefore not just an admission consideration. It is part of the federal certificate eligibility standard in 14 CFR §65.53.

Do You Need Prior Aviation Experience to Become an Aircraft Dispatcher?

No prior aviation experience is required if you qualify through the FAA-approved course pathway. However, the regulation does not say that every applicant must complete the same 200-hour course.

Under 14 CFR §65.57, an applicant must satisfy either an experience pathway or an approved-training pathway.

FAA Pathway Requirement Who It May Apply To
Qualifying aviation experience At least two years of qualifying experience within the three years before application. Applicants with qualifying experience in specified military, Part 121, air traffic control, Flight Service, or FAA-accepted equivalent aircraft-operations duties.
FAA-approved dispatcher course Successfully complete an approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course and obtain the required graduation documentation. Applicants who do not already have qualifying experience or who choose the approved-school pathway.

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Qualifying experience under §65.57 can include certain work as a military pilot, flight navigator or meteorologist; certain Part 121 experience as an assistant dispatcher, pilot, flight engineer or meteorologist; Air Traffic Controller or Flight Service Specialist experience; or other aircraft-operations duties the FAA finds equivalent.

Someone entering aviation without that background can instead complete an approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course.

How Many Training Hours Are Required for an FAA-Approved Dispatcher Course?

An FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course must include at least 200 hours of instruction under 14 CFR §65.61.

That 200-hour rule applies to the approved course itself. It should not be interpreted to mean that every dispatcher applicant, regardless of background, must always personally complete 200 classroom hours. Section 65.57 provides a separate qualifying-experience route, and §65.61 also permits an approved course operator to grant credit for certain previous experience or training after evaluating whether it is comparable to portions of the approved curriculum.

Appendix A to Part 65 establishes the subject areas that approved dispatcher courses must cover.

Regulations

Applicable federal aviation regulations and operating requirements relevant to aircraft dispatch.

Meteorology

Weather theory, observations, forecasts, hazards, weather products, and operational weather analysis.

Navigation

Charts, navigation systems, instrument procedures, airspace, and related flight-planning concepts.

Aircraft

Aircraft systems, limitations, performance, weight and balance, and abnormal or emergency considerations.

Air Traffic Control

ATC responsibilities, airspace, flight plans, route structure, separation concepts, and traffic management.

Practical Dispatch Applications

Human factors, decision-making, teamwork, briefing techniques, weather analysis, NOTAMs, flight planning, and applied dispatch work.

Need the FAA-Approved Course Path?

US Aviation Academy offers an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher program for students pursuing the training pathway to certification.

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What Is the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test?

The Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test evaluates the aeronautical knowledge required under 14 CFR §65.55. You must be at least 21 years old to take it.

The regulation identifies knowledge areas including federal aviation regulations, meteorology, weather and NOTAM information, navigation, air traffic control procedures, aircraft loading and performance, aerodynamics, human factors, aeronautical decision-making, and crew resource management.

Knowledge Area Examples
Regulations Rules related to airline operations, privileges, limitations, and flight operations.
Meteorology Fronts, clouds, icing, upper-air information, weather systems, windshear, and microbursts.
Weather and NOTAMs Collection, interpretation, dissemination, charts, maps, forecasts, reports, abbreviations, and symbols.
Navigation and ATC Instrument navigation, enroute operations, terminal procedures, radar operations, departures, and approaches.
Aircraft Performance Loading, weight and balance, performance calculations, and aerodynamic principles.
Human Factors Aeronautical decision-making, judgment, communication, coordination, and crew resource management.

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Testing procedures, testing-center fees, scheduling policies, and other administrative details can change, so students should confirm current requirements when scheduling the exam rather than relying on an older fee or test-format figure.

What Is the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test?

The practical test is the skills-based certification examination required by 14 CFR §65.59. An applicant must successfully demonstrate the objectives in the areas of operation specified by the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards.

The test is conducted with respect to a type of large aircraft used in air carrier operations and evaluates whether the applicant can apply dispatcher knowledge to operational situations rather than simply recall facts.

Practical preparation can involve areas such as flight planning, weather analysis, aircraft performance, weight and balance, regulations, navigation, operational decision-making, and communication. Students should follow the current FAA practical test standards and their approved course guidance when preparing.

Can You Take the Practical Test With an Expired Knowledge Test Report?

Yes, current 14 CFR §65.55 specifically provides that an applicant may be eligible to take the Aircraft Dispatcher practical test with an expired written test report in accordance with 14 CFR §61.40.

This provision was added through Amendment 65-65. Even though an expired report may be accepted under that rule, applicants should still make sure their knowledge is current because regulations, procedures, weather products, and operational practices can change.

Do You Need a College Degree to Become an Aircraft Dispatcher?

The FAA certification requirements in Part 65, Subpart C do not require a college degree.

The federal requirements focus instead on age, English proficiency, the knowledge test, the practical test, and the experience-or-approved-training requirement. Individual airlines and other employers can establish additional education or hiring preferences for their own positions.

Do Aircraft Dispatchers Need an FAA Medical Certificate?

Part 65, Subpart C does not list an FAA airman medical certificate as a requirement for Aircraft Dispatcher certification.

That differs from many pilot certificates and privileges. Employers may still establish workplace, attendance, fitness-for-duty, or other employment policies, but those should not be confused with an FAA pilot medical certificate requirement.

How Do You Get an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate?

For a student using the approved-course pathway, the certification process can be summarized in the following sequence.

Step Requirement Planning Note
1. Confirm eligibility Review age and English-language requirements. You must be at least 21 for the knowledge test and 23 for certificate issuance.
2. Choose your §65.57 pathway Qualifying experience or graduation from an approved dispatcher course. Students without qualifying prior experience typically use the approved-course route.
3. Complete approved training if applicable Successfully complete the approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course. Approved courses must contain at least 200 hours of instruction before allowable prior-training credit.
4. Pass the knowledge test Demonstrate the aeronautical knowledge required by §65.55. The minimum age to take the knowledge test is 21.
5. Pass the practical test Demonstrate the required dispatcher knowledge and skills under §65.59. Applicants under 23 who otherwise qualify may receive a Letter of Aeronautical Competency after passing.
6. Receive the certificate Meet all Part 65 Subpart C requirements and be at least 23. Under-23 applicants must follow the FAA process for exchanging a Letter of Aeronautical Competency after reaching age 23.

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How Long Is US Aviation Academy’s Aircraft Dispatcher Course?

US Aviation Academy currently offers an accelerated 5-week Aircraft Dispatcher course. The Academy’s current program information describes the format as approximately three weeks online followed by two weeks of required in-person training.

Course duration should not be confused with a guaranteed total certification timeline. Exam scheduling, applicant eligibility, completion of course requirements, and other administrative factors can affect when an individual completes the full process.

For detailed program scheduling, see the Aircraft Dispatcher training program .

How Much Does Aircraft Dispatcher Training Cost?

US Aviation Academy currently lists its accelerated Aircraft Dispatcher program at $5,000. The current program page states that the price includes 200 hours of training and the first attempt at both the written and practical exams on a reimbursement basis.

Because this page is focused on FAA certification requirements rather than tuition comparison, students researching detailed costs should review the dedicated aircraft dispatcher training cost guide and confirm current pricing with the Academy before enrolling.

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What Does an Aircraft Dispatcher Do After Certification?

Certification establishes the FAA credential required for aircraft dispatcher duties in applicable operations, but earning the certificate does not guarantee employment with an airline.

Airline and aviation employers can set their own hiring requirements, interview standards, schedules, experience preferences, background requirements, and training processes.

If you are researching the actual job rather than the certification requirements, see what an aircraft dispatcher does . For compensation research, see the aircraft dispatcher salary guide .

Ready to Start Aircraft Dispatcher Training?

If you do not already have qualifying aviation experience, an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course provides a defined route toward meeting the training requirement and preparing for the required FAA tests.

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FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certification FAQs

How old do you have to be to become an aircraft dispatcher?

You must be at least 21 years old to take the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test and at least 23 years old to be eligible for issuance of the Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

Do you need prior aviation experience to get an FAA dispatcher certificate?

Not necessarily. FAA rules allow applicants to qualify through specified prior aviation experience or by successfully completing an approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course.

Is 200 hours of dispatcher training always required?

An FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course must contain at least 200 hours of instruction. However, §65.57 also provides a separate qualifying-experience pathway, and an approved course operator may grant credit for certain previous experience or training under §65.61.

Do you need a degree to become an aircraft dispatcher?

No college degree is listed among the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate eligibility requirements in 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart C. Individual employers may establish their own education preferences.

Do aircraft dispatchers need an FAA medical certificate?

Part 65, Subpart C does not require an FAA airman medical certificate for Aircraft Dispatcher certification.

What tests are required for FAA aircraft dispatcher certification?

Applicants must pass the required Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test and practical test, in addition to satisfying the other eligibility and experience-or-training requirements.

Can you take the dispatcher practical test before age 23?

FAA guidance allows an applicant who is at least 21, has passed the knowledge test, and otherwise qualifies to take the practical test before age 23. A successful applicant under 23 receives a Letter of Aeronautical Competency rather than the Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

Does a Letter of Aeronautical Competency automatically become a dispatcher certificate at age 23?

No. FAA guidance states that the letter does not automatically convert into a certificate. After reaching age 23, the applicant must follow the FAA process for presenting the letter and identification to obtain a temporary Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

Can you take the practical test if the dispatcher knowledge test report has expired?

Current 14 CFR §65.55 allows an applicant to be eligible for the Aircraft Dispatcher practical test with an expired written test report in accordance with 14 CFR §61.40.

How do you get an FAA dispatcher license?

The FAA credential is formally called an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. Applicants must meet the applicable age and English requirements, pass the required knowledge and practical tests, and satisfy the experience or approved-training requirement in Part 65.

Is an aircraft dispatcher the same as an air traffic controller?

No. Aircraft dispatchers and air traffic controllers perform different aviation functions and follow different certification and employment systems. This page addresses the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate under 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart C.

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