What Are the Different Types of FAA Pilot Licenses?

The main FAA pilot certificate types for manned aircraft are Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, and Airline Transport Pilot.

Pilots can then add ratings such as Instrument, Multi-Engine, or aircraft type ratings. A Certified Flight Instructor, or CFI, is different: it is a separate Flight Instructor Certificate rather than another level of pilot certificate.

If your goal is an airline career, a common airplane-training path is Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, applicable multi-engine training, optional flight-instructor credentials, experience building, and eventually ATP or Restricted ATP eligibility.

Ask Which Pilot Path Fits You View Career Pilot Training Compare Private vs. Commercial

What Pilot Certificates Does the FAA Issue?

Pilots often say “pilot license,” but the FAA generally uses the term pilot certificate.

For manned aircraft, the principal certificate types discussed in this guide are:

  • Student Pilot Certificate;
  • Sport Pilot Certificate;
  • Recreational Pilot Certificate;
  • Private Pilot Certificate;
  • Commercial Pilot Certificate; and
  • Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

These certificates provide different privileges and limitations. They should not be confused with ratings, endorsements, medical certificates, job titles, or the separate Flight Instructor Certificate.

FAA Credential Typical Minimum Age for Airplane Path Representative Flight-Time Requirement Main Purpose
Student Pilot 16 for solo in an airplane No certificate flight-hour minimum Allows qualified student pilots to conduct authorized solo training
Sport Pilot 17 20 hours for airplane single-engine privileges under §61.313 Recreational flying under Sport Pilot privileges and limitations
Recreational Pilot 17 30 hours under §61.99 Limited recreational flying with additional restrictions
Private Pilot 17 40 hours for Part 61 airplane single-engine applicants Personal and recreational flying with broader privileges
Commercial Pilot 18 250 hours for the standard Part 61 airplane single-engine path Commercial pilot privileges, subject to applicable operating rules
Airline Transport Pilot 23 standard; 21 for restricted privileges under §61.160 Generally 1,500 hours for standard airplane ATP; qualifying R-ATP pathways differ FAA’s highest pilot certificate level

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Flight-time requirements depend on the aircraft category, class, training path, and regulation used. The figures above are representative airplane requirements and should not be treated as universal minimums for every aircraft or approved Part 141 course.

What Is the Difference Between a Pilot Certificate, Rating, and Endorsement?

One reason pilot-license terminology becomes confusing is that certificates, ratings, and endorsements are different things.

Credential Type What It Does Examples
Pilot certificate Establishes the pilot’s underlying level of privileges. Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, ATP
Rating Adds aircraft or operating privileges to an appropriate certificate. Instrument Airplane, Airplane Single-Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, aircraft type rating
Flight Instructor Certificate Allows a qualified pilot to provide flight instruction within the ratings and limitations held. CFI, CFII, MEI
Endorsement Instructor authorization documenting completion of particular training or proficiency requirements. Tailwheel, high-performance, complex, solo, and other endorsements
Category / class rating Identifies the kind of aircraft in which the pilot holds privileges. Airplane Single-Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter

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A CFI is not the next “pilot license level” after Commercial Pilot, and an Instrument Rating is not a separate pilot license.

What Is a Student Pilot Certificate?

A Student Pilot Certificate supports the initial solo-training stage.

You do not need a Student Pilot Certificate simply to begin taking flight lessons with an instructor. You need the appropriate student certification and instructor endorsements before conducting a solo flight.

Before soloing, a student must also satisfy the applicable:

  • age requirement;
  • medical qualification where required;
  • knowledge preparation;
  • flight-training requirements;
  • instructor proficiency determination; and
  • solo endorsements.

A Student Pilot Certificate is therefore a training-stage credential, not a certificate that allows unrestricted independent flying.

What Is a Sport Pilot Certificate?

A Sport Pilot Certificate is designed primarily for recreational flying with a lower airplane flight-time minimum than the standard Private Pilot path.

For airplane single-engine land or sea privileges, §61.313 currently requires at least 20 hours of flight time, including specified dual and solo training.

Sport Pilot rules changed substantially under the FAA’s MOSAIC rule.

Sport pilots are no longer limited simply to aircraft that fit the former “light-sport aircraft” definition.

Since October 22, 2025, §61.316 establishes performance and design criteria for aircraft operated using Sport Pilot privileges. Additional training and qualifying endorsements can also permit certain operations that previously were not available to Sport Pilots.

Current FAA rules can permit appropriately qualified Sport Pilots to operate:

  • aircraft meeting the current §61.316 limitations;
  • certain aircraft with retractable landing gear after applicable training and endorsement;
  • airplanes with manually controllable-pitch propellers after applicable training and endorsement; and
  • at night after meeting the additional FAA training, endorsement, and applicable qualification requirements.

Sport Pilot privileges still include important restrictions, so it should not be described simply as a shorter version of Private Pilot certification.

Medical qualification also differs from the conventional Private/Commercial path. Eligible Sport Pilots may be able to exercise Sport Pilot privileges using a valid U.S. driver’s license instead of an FAA medical certificate when all applicable conditions are met.

What Is a Recreational Pilot Certificate?

The Recreational Pilot Certificate is another FAA recreational certificate, but it has significant operating restrictions compared with Private Pilot privileges.

Section 61.99 requires at least 30 hours of flight time.

Recreational pilots may generally carry no more than one passenger and are subject to aircraft, airspace, visibility, altitude, night, compensation, and other limitations.

The familiar “50 nautical mile” rule also needs context.

A Recreational Pilot can operate within 50 NM under the applicable training and endorsement provisions. A Recreational Pilot can also fly beyond 50 NM after receiving the required cross-country ground and flight training, demonstrating proficiency, and obtaining the applicable instructor endorsement under §61.101.

Similarly, certain controlled-airspace and towered-airport privileges can be added after the required training and endorsement.

Recreational Pilot privileges remain substantially more limited than Private Pilot privileges, including a general prohibition on operation between sunset and sunrise.

Sport Pilot vs. Recreational Pilot vs. Private Pilot: What’s the Difference?

Feature Sport Pilot Recreational Pilot Private Pilot
Primary purpose Recreational flying Limited recreational flying Broader personal/recreational flying and career foundation
Representative airplane minimum 20 hours 30 hours 40 hours under Part 61
Passengers Generally one passenger under Sport Pilot privileges Maximum one passenger Passenger privileges subject to certificate, ratings, aircraft, currency, and regulations
Cross-country flying Permitted within applicable Sport Pilot rules Beyond 50 NM requires additional training and endorsement Broader cross-country privileges
Night flying Possible under post-MOSAIC rules after meeting additional requirements Generally prohibited Permitted when qualified and current
Instrument flying Not a substitute for instrument privileges Not available as normal Recreational Pilot privileges Can add an Instrument Rating
Career foundation Not normally the standard professional airplane sequence Not normally the standard professional airplane sequence Common starting certificate for professional airplane training

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How Much Does a Recreational Pilot Certificate Cost?

The FAA does not set a national price for Recreational Pilot training.

A 30-hour regulatory minimum does not mean every applicant will finish in exactly 30 hours.

Actual training cost depends on factors such as:

  • aircraft rental rates;
  • instructor rates;
  • ground training;
  • how frequently the student flies;
  • how many hours are needed to reach practical-test proficiency;
  • knowledge-test costs;
  • examiner/checkride fees;
  • books and training supplies; and
  • local school pricing.

For a broader cost comparison, see the Flight Training Cost Guide .

What Is a Private Pilot Certificate?

A Private Pilot Certificate is the most common major starting point for pilots who want broader personal flying privileges or who intend to continue toward a professional airplane career.

For a Private Pilot Certificate with an Airplane Single-Engine Land rating under Part 61, §61.109 requires at least 40 hours of flight time, including specified instructor and solo experience.

The regulatory minimum is not a guaranteed completion time. A student must reach the required level of proficiency before being recommended for the practical test.

What Can You Do With a Private Pilot Certificate?

A Private Pilot can generally:

  • act as pilot in command of aircraft for which the pilot is appropriately rated and qualified;
  • carry passengers when the applicable currency and operating requirements are met;
  • conduct personal and recreational flights;
  • conduct cross-country travel;
  • add additional aircraft category or class ratings;
  • add an Instrument Rating; and
  • continue toward Commercial Pilot certification.

Private Pilot privileges do not generally permit a pilot to act as pilot in command for compensation or hire, although Part 61 contains specific exceptions and cost-sharing provisions.

A Private Pilot Certificate does not mean a pilot is permanently limited to good-weather VFR flying.

A qualified private pilot can add an Instrument Rating and exercise instrument privileges when properly rated, current, medically qualified as applicable, and operating in accordance with the regulations.

What Is an Instrument Rating?

An Instrument Rating is not another pilot license.

It is a rating added to an appropriate pilot certificate that allows the pilot to exercise instrument-flight privileges after meeting the applicable training, aeronautical experience, testing, and currency requirements.

Instrument training is especially important for career-track airplane pilots because instrument privileges are part of the normal progression toward professional flying and ATP eligibility.

Is a Single-Engine Pilot License a Separate FAA License?

Usually, “single-engine pilot license” is informal language rather than the name of a separate certificate level.

A pilot certificate can carry an aircraft category and class rating such as:

  • Airplane Single-Engine Land, often abbreviated ASEL;
  • Airplane Single-Engine Sea;
  • Airplane Multi-Engine Land; or
  • Airplane Multi-Engine Sea.

For example, someone may hold a Private Pilot Certificate with an Airplane Single-Engine Land rating.

What Is a Commercial Pilot Certificate?

A Commercial Pilot Certificate allows a pilot to exercise commercial pilot privileges within the limitations of the certificate and the regulations governing the particular operation.

For the standard Part 61 Airplane Single-Engine Land path, §61.129 generally requires at least 250 hours of flight time with specified categories of experience.

Approved Part 141 commercial courses can use different approved curriculum and experience requirements, so 250 hours should not be described as a universal commercial-course minimum for every training path.

Can You Get Paid to Fly With a Commercial Pilot Certificate?

A Commercial Pilot Certificate permits commercial pilot privileges, but it does not mean the holder can independently conduct any paid aviation operation they choose.

Pilot certification and operator certification are different.

Charter, air-carrier, and other commercial operations can require compliance with Parts 119, 121, 135, or other operating rules in addition to the pilot’s individual Commercial Pilot Certificate.

Depending on the operation, aircraft, qualifications, and employer, Commercial Pilot certification can support jobs or activities such as:

  • flight instruction after obtaining the required Flight Instructor Certificate;
  • aerial survey;
  • certain aerial-work operations;
  • certain commercial-operator positions;
  • company or corporate flying positions when all applicable requirements are met; and
  • other compensated flying permitted by the applicable regulations.

For a detailed comparison, see Private Pilot vs. Commercial Pilot .

Is CFI a Pilot License?

No. CFI refers to a Flight Instructor Certificate, not a higher grade of pilot certificate.

Under §61.183, an applicant for the applicable airplane flight-instructor privileges generally must already hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with the appropriate category, class, and instrument qualifications.

Common instructor credentials include:

  • CFI: Flight Instructor Certificate with the applicable airplane rating;
  • CFII: Flight Instructor Certificate with an Instrument rating; and
  • MEI: commonly used shorthand for a flight instructor qualified to instruct in multi-engine airplanes.

Flight instruction is a common way for commercial pilots to build experience while working in aviation, but becoming a CFI is not the only possible way to build the aeronautical experience eventually required for ATP eligibility.

Employment as a flight instructor is also not guaranteed by receiving the instructor certificate.

What Is an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate?

The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, or ATP, is the FAA’s highest pilot certificate level.

For the standard unrestricted airplane ATP pathway, applicants generally must:

  • be at least 23 years old;
  • hold the required underlying commercial and instrument qualifications;
  • meet the applicable aeronautical-experience requirements;
  • complete ATP Certification Training Program requirements where applicable;
  • pass the required knowledge test; and
  • pass the required practical test.

The standard airplane ATP aeronautical-experience framework generally includes 1,500 hours of total pilot time plus the other experience categories required by Part 61.

What Is a Restricted ATP?

A Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, commonly called an R-ATP, is an ATP certificate issued with specified restricted privileges under §61.160 and §61.167.

An R-ATP applicant may be at least 21 years old, rather than the standard ATP age of 23.

Some qualifying pathways also permit reduced total flight-time thresholds, including:

  • certain qualifying U.S. military pilots;
  • graduates of specifically FAA-authorized bachelor’s aviation degree programs meeting the applicable coursework and Part 141 training conditions; and
  • graduates of specifically FAA-authorized associate or qualifying aviation-degree pathways meeting the applicable requirements.

Attending a Part 141 flight school by itself does not automatically qualify a student for a 1,000-hour or 1,250-hour R-ATP.

Reduced-hour degree pathways require an eligible aviation degree from an institution of higher education that has FAA authorization under §61.169, along with the specific aviation coursework and approved Part 141 training required by §61.160.

Section 61.160 also contains other restricted-ATP pathways, so applicants should evaluate their individual eligibility rather than assuming every R-ATP applicant has the same total-time requirement.

What Is the Highest Pilot License?

The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the FAA’s highest pilot certificate level.

Becoming an airline captain, obtaining a type rating, becoming a flight instructor, or gaining thousands of additional hours can increase a pilot’s qualifications and experience, but those do not create a pilot-certificate grade above ATP.

What Is the Easiest Pilot License to Get?

“Easiest” depends on what the pilot wants to do.

If the comparison is limited to the basic airplane flight-time minimums, Sport Pilot generally has a lower minimum than Recreational or Private Pilot:

Certificate Representative Airplane Minimum Important Tradeoff
Sport Pilot 20 hours More limited privileges than Private Pilot
Recreational Pilot 30 hours Substantial aircraft, passenger, night, airspace, and operating limitations
Private Pilot 40 hours under Part 61 More training, but substantially broader privileges and the normal career foundation

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Fewer minimum hours do not necessarily make a certificate “easy.” Every applicant must meet the applicable knowledge, training, proficiency, and testing standards.

What Order Do Pilot Licenses Come In?

There is no single FAA ladder that every pilot must complete.

Sport and Recreational Pilot are not required before earning a Private Pilot Certificate, and a CFI Certificate is not required before every pilot can eventually qualify for ATP.

Possible Recreational Paths

A recreationally focused student might pursue:

  • Student training → Sport Pilot; or
  • Student training → Recreational Pilot; or
  • Student training → Private Pilot.

Common Career-Airplane Training Path

A career-track airplane student will often follow a path such as:

Stage Credential Purpose
1 Student Pilot stage Learn foundational flying skills and complete authorized solo training.
2 Private Pilot Certificate Build broader pilot privileges and the foundation for advanced training.
3 Instrument Rating Add instrument-flight privileges and advanced weather/navigation training.
4 Commercial Pilot Certificate Obtain commercial pilot privileges under applicable operating rules.
5 Multi-Engine Rating, as applicable Add multi-engine airplane privileges for career paths requiring them.
6 CFI / CFII / MEI, when chosen Qualify to provide flight instruction and potentially build experience through instructing.
7 Experience building Accumulate the aeronautical experience required for the next professional step.
8 ATP or R-ATP when eligible Meet the highest FAA pilot-certificate level or applicable restricted-privileges pathway.

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This is a common training sequence, not a rule requiring every professional pilot to build experience as a flight instructor.

Which Pilot License Should You Get?

The best starting point depends on what you ultimately want to do with an airplane.

Your Goal Credential to Consider Why
Try flying before committing Discovery flight / initial instruction You do not need a pilot certificate merely to take an introductory lesson with an instructor.
Begin solo flight training Student Pilot Certificate Required before appropriate student solo operations.
Limited recreational flying Sport Pilot Lower airplane training minimum with more limited privileges.
Local recreational flying Recreational Pilot Another recreational option, but with significant operating limitations.
Broader personal flying Private Pilot Broader passenger, travel, aircraft, and additional-rating opportunities.
Professional pilot career Start with Private Pilot in the typical airplane career path Provides the foundation for Instrument, Commercial, and later professional training.
Fly for compensation where permitted Commercial Pilot Provides commercial pilot privileges, subject to the operating regulations involved.
Teach flight students Flight Instructor Certificate Separate instructor certification after meeting the applicable prerequisites.
Part 121 airline pathway ATP / R-ATP when eligible ATP-level qualification becomes central to Part 121 airline pilot eligibility.

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What License Do You Need to Fly a Small Airplane?

There is no single certificate called a “small airplane license.”

The certificate you need depends on:

  • the airplane’s characteristics;
  • whether you are flying recreationally or professionally;
  • passenger needs;
  • day versus night operations;
  • weather and instrument-flight needs;
  • airspace;
  • aircraft category, class, and type requirements; and
  • other operating limitations.

For many pilots seeking broad personal single-engine-airplane privileges, a Private Pilot Certificate with an Airplane Single-Engine Land rating is the common path. A Sport Pilot Certificate may fit pilots whose goals and aircraft fall within Sport Pilot privileges.

Are “Types of Pilots” the Same as Types of Pilot Licenses?

No.

Terms such as:

  • airline pilot;
  • cargo pilot;
  • charter pilot;
  • corporate pilot;
  • flight instructor; and
  • aerial survey pilot

describe jobs, roles, or types of flying. They are not separate FAA pilot-certificate grades.

For example, there is no FAA credential named a “corporate pilot license.” A corporate pilot must hold the pilot certificates, ratings, medical qualification, experience, and other credentials required for the aircraft and operation involved.

How Do You Get a Pilot License in the United States?

The exact process varies by certificate, but a typical path includes:

  1. Decide what type of aircraft and flying you want to pursue.
  2. Begin ground and flight instruction with an authorized instructor or approved flight school.
  3. Obtain the applicable Student Pilot Certificate before solo flight.
  4. Meet the medical or other applicable medical-qualification requirements.
  5. Complete the required aeronautical knowledge and flight training.
  6. Build the required aeronautical experience.
  7. Pass the applicable FAA knowledge test.
  8. Receive the required instructor endorsements.
  9. Pass the FAA practical test for the certificate and ratings sought.

The details differ significantly among Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, and ATP applicants, so students should use the current rules for the exact certificate, category, and class they want.

How Does US Aviation Academy’s Career Pilot Training Path Work?

US Aviation Academy’s current Accelerated Flight Training Program is structured around the certificates and ratings commonly used in a professional airplane-training path.

The current program information identifies training associated with:

  • Private Pilot;
  • Instrument Rating;
  • Commercial Pilot — single-engine and multi-engine;
  • Certified Flight Instructor;
  • Certified Flight Instructor — Instrument; and
  • Multi-Engine Instructor.

USAA currently describes its accelerated program as a path to completing Commercial and Flight Instructor certificates in approximately nine months under the published program structure.

ATP is a later eligibility milestone, not a certificate automatically earned during the initial accelerated training program.

After Commercial and instructor training, a pilot still needs to build the applicable aeronautical experience and meet the other ATP or R-ATP eligibility requirements before applying for that certificate.

Explore Accelerated Pilot Training Compare Flight Training Costs Build Your Training Path

Does an FAA Pilot Certificate Work Internationally?

FAA pilot certificates are U.S.-issued credentials. They can be recognized internationally, but they are not universal licenses that automatically replace the pilot licenses issued by every other country.

Foreign validation or conversion requirements may apply depending on the aircraft, operation, country, and aviation authority involved.

For the full international explanation, see whether FAA pilot certificates are recognized internationally .

Not Sure Which Pilot Certificate to Start With?

Your best training path depends on whether you want to fly recreationally, add instrument privileges, become a commercial pilot, teach as a flight instructor, or work toward future ATP eligibility.

Talk to a Pilot Training Advisor View Career Pilot Training Compare PPL and CPL

FAA Pilot License FAQs

What are the different types of FAA pilot licenses?

The principal FAA pilot certificate types covered here are Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, and Airline Transport Pilot. Pilots can also add ratings, while flight instructor certification is a separate credential.

Does the FAA call it a pilot license or pilot certificate?

The FAA generally uses the term pilot certificate. “Pilot license” is widely used in everyday speech and search queries, and other countries often use the spelling “pilot licence.”

How many types of pilot licenses are there?

There is not one useful number that includes every possible FAA aviation credential, category, class, rating, instructor certificate, and endorsement. For manned-aircraft pilot certificate progression, the main certificate types discussed here are Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, and ATP.

What is the first pilot license you get?

A student training toward solo flight normally obtains a Student Pilot Certificate before soloing. For someone pursuing a conventional professional airplane path, the first major pilot certificate after the student-training stage is usually the Private Pilot Certificate.

Do you need a Student Pilot Certificate before taking flight lessons?

No. You can begin flight instruction without one. The Student Pilot Certificate becomes necessary before the applicable solo-flight stage.

What is the easiest pilot license to get?

If “easiest” refers only to the airplane flight-time minimum, Sport Pilot generally has a lower minimum than Recreational or Private Pilot. Every applicant still has to meet the applicable knowledge, training, proficiency, and testing standards.

What is the highest pilot license?

The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the FAA’s highest pilot certificate level.

What license do you need to fly a small airplane?

It depends on the aircraft and operation. Sport Pilot privileges may be sufficient for qualifying recreational flying, while a Private Pilot Certificate with an appropriate airplane category and class rating provides broader personal-flying privileges.

What is a PPL?

PPL is common shorthand for Private Pilot License, although the FAA’s formal term is Private Pilot Certificate.

What is a CPL?

CPL is common shorthand for Commercial Pilot License or Commercial Pilot Certificate. It allows the holder to exercise commercial pilot privileges subject to the applicable operating regulations.

What can you do with a Private Pilot Certificate?

A properly rated and current Private Pilot can conduct personal and recreational flights, carry passengers within applicable rules, travel cross-country, and pursue additional ratings such as Instrument or Multi-Engine. Private Pilot privileges do not generally authorize acting as pilot in command for compensation or hire.

What is the difference between Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot?

Recreational Pilot has a lower flight-time minimum but substantially more operating limitations, including passenger, aircraft, night, and other restrictions. Private Pilot provides broader privileges and is the more common foundation for advanced professional airplane training.

What is the difference between Sport Pilot and Private Pilot?

Sport Pilot generally has a lower airplane training minimum and more limited privileges. Private Pilot requires more training but provides broader operating privileges and the standard foundation for Instrument, Commercial, and professional airplane training.

What is the difference between Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot?

Private Pilot privileges are primarily for personal and recreational flying, while Commercial Pilot certification allows compensated pilot operations when the flight also complies with the operating rules that apply.

What is the difference between CPL and ATP?

Commercial Pilot certification provides commercial pilot privileges. ATP is the FAA’s highest pilot certificate level and requires substantially more aeronautical experience and additional eligibility, training, knowledge, and practical-test requirements.

Is an Instrument Rating a pilot license?

No. An Instrument Rating is added to an appropriate pilot certificate and provides instrument-flight privileges after the pilot meets the applicable requirements.

Is CFI a pilot license?

No. CFI refers to a Flight Instructor Certificate. A flight-instructor applicant must already hold the applicable underlying pilot qualifications required by §61.183.

Do you need to become a CFI before ATP?

No. Flight instruction is a common experience-building path, but the FAA does not require every ATP applicant to have first worked as a CFI.

What comes after a Private Pilot Certificate?

It depends on your goal. Career-track airplane pilots commonly pursue an Instrument Rating next, followed by Commercial Pilot training, applicable multi-engine qualifications, optional flight-instructor credentials, experience building, and eventually ATP or R-ATP when eligible.

Do you need a Private Pilot Certificate before a Commercial Pilot Certificate?

In the normal civilian airplane-training sequence, Private Pilot certification is the foundation used before progressing into advanced instrument and commercial training. Applicants should follow the requirements of the exact FAA training program and certificate path they are using.

Does Part 141 automatically qualify you for a 1,000-hour R-ATP?

No. Reduced-hour R-ATP degree pathways require specific eligibility under §61.160, including an eligible aviation degree from an FAA-authorized institution of higher education, qualifying coursework, and the required approved Part 141 ground and flight training. Part 141 attendance by itself is not enough.

How much does a Recreational Pilot Certificate cost?

There is no FAA-set national price. Cost depends on aircraft rental, instructor time, training pace, actual hours needed, testing, examiner fees, supplies, and local school pricing.

Is there a separate corporate pilot license?

No. “Corporate pilot” describes a type of flying job, not an FAA pilot certificate. Corporate pilots need the certificates, ratings, medical qualifications, aircraft qualifications, and experience required for the job and operation involved.

Is there a separate airline pilot license?

In FAA terminology, the Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the highest pilot certificate level associated with airline pilot qualification. Airline employment also requires the applicable aircraft, training, medical, experience, and employer qualifications.

Sources

FAA certificate, rating, medical, aeronautical-experience, and operating requirements vary by aircraft category, class, training path, and intended operation and can change. Pilots should verify the current regulations that apply to the exact certificate and privileges they intend to exercise.