Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Eligibility Criteria
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission into an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course and the eligibility criteria for obtaining an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence are different and independent of each other. It is important for aspirants to clearly understand this distinction before choosing a career in aircraft maintenance engineering.
As per DGCA CAR-66 regulations, the eligibility criteria for enrolling in an aircraft maintenance engineering course are relatively straightforward. From a medical fitness perspective, the candidate must be physically fit and should not have any condition that could affect safe aircraft maintenance, such as defective eyesight, colour vision deficiency, or hearing impairment, as assessed under applicable medical standards.
From an educational qualification perspective, a candidate must have passed 10+2 (12th standard) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from a recognised board or university.
Alternatively, a Diploma in Engineering recognised by a State Technical Education Board, in which Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics have been studied as subjects, is considered an equivalent qualification. To establish equivalence with 10+2, the applicant may be required to submit a formal equivalence certificate issued by the concerned board or university.
This represents the minimum eligibility requirement for admission into an AME course. Candidates who have completed graduation or engineering degrees in other disciplines are also eligible for admission, provided they meet the minimum 10+2 PCM or equivalent diploma qualification, as mandated in India.
However, the eligibility criteria to apply for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence are far more advanced and competency-based. To become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, a candidate must demonstrate a high level of technical knowledge, practical skills, and regulatory compliance. This includes successfully passing all DGCA CAR-66 module examinations relevant to the chosen licence category and acquiring sufficient, documented practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft, in accordance with DGCA guidelines for the respective licence category.
Choosing a career in aviation begins with understanding eligibility clearly and correctly. Whether you are a student, parent, or aviation aspirant, this guide explains aircraft maintenance engineering eligibility in a clear, accurate, and regulation-compliant manner, strictly as per DGCA requirements in India.
This is one of the most comprehensive and reliable eligibility guides for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) available online.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission into an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course vary across countries, as AME training is regulated by the civil aviation authority of each nation and not by bodies such as AICTE or conventional universities. Globally, eligibility requirements are framed in accordance with the applicable aircraft maintenance licensing regulations, such as DGCA CAR-66 in India, EASA Part-66 in Europe, and equivalent standards in other regions.
It is important to understand that, in India, eligibility for joining an AME course is strictly defined under DGCA regulations. Unlike some international pathways, candidates from Arts or Commerce backgrounds are not directly eligible for admission unless they fulfil the prescribed educational requirements mandated by DGCA. The structure of AME module syllabi does not override the minimum academic eligibility criteria specified for course entry.
Educational Qualification Requirement for Admission in the AME Course
To join an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course in India, a candidate must have:
Passed 10+2 (12th standard) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from a recognised board or university,
ORCompleted a Diploma in Engineering recognised by a State Technical Education Board, in which Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics were studied as subjects.
Such a diploma qualification is treated as equivalent to 10+2 (PCM). To establish this equivalence, the applicant may be required to submit an equivalence certificate issued by the concerned board or university, as per institutional and DGCA requirements.
This qualification represents the minimum educational eligibility for admission into an AME course in India. Candidates who have completed graduation or engineering degrees in other disciplines are also eligible, provided they satisfy the minimum 10+2 PCM or equivalent diploma requirement.
Medical Fitness Requirement for Admission in AME Course
Medical fitness is a mandatory requirement for admission into an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course, as AMEs are responsible for safety-critical aircraft maintenance tasks that demand high levels of alertness, precision, and physical capability.
As per DGCA CAR-66 regulations, applicants must be medically fit to carry out the normal functions of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Medical fitness primarily includes assessment of:
Vision standards, including acceptable distance vision and normal colour perception
Hearing ability, adequate for aircraft maintenance environments
General physical and mental fitness, ensuring no condition that could interfere with safe maintenance duties
In India, medical fitness for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers is certified through CA Form 19-06, as prescribed under DGCA CAR-66. This form is issued as part of the AME regulatory framework and serves as the standard medical certification confirming a candidate’s fitness to safely perform aircraft maintenance functions.
The medical assessment for AME eligibility is not the same as pilot medicals and is evaluated specifically for maintenance duties.
Medical fitness certification ensures that only individuals capable of safely performing inspection, maintenance, and certification tasks are permitted to enter this highly responsible aviation profession.
These criteria represent the minimum eligibility requirements for admission into an AME course in India. Once this qualification is met, any subsequent graduation or degree does not restrict eligibility. DGCA AME course eligibility criteria apply uniformly across India, irrespective of the training institute.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) Licence is significantly more stringent than eligibility for admission into an AME course. While course admission is based on minimum academic and medical requirements, licence eligibility is competency-based and governed strictly by DGCA CAR-66 regulations.
To become eligible for the issue of an AME licence, a candidate must satisfy all applicable requirements, including basic knowledge, module examinations, practical maintenance experience, skill demonstration, and minimum age, as specified under CAR-66.
Educational Qualification Criteria for Applying AME Licence
For eligibility towards an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering licence, the candidate must have acquired approved basic knowledge through one of the recognised routes under CAR-66. These routes include:
Successful completion of a CAR-147 (Basic) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering training programme approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (in India, the DGCA),
ORCompletion of an appropriate engineering qualification, such as:
B.Sc. in Aircraft Maintenance
Degree in Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering
Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or related engineering disciplines
It is important to note that engineering degrees do not replace CAR-66 module examinations and do not automatically confer licence eligibility. Regardless of the educational route, the candidate must still meet all CAR-66 module examination and experience requirements applicable to the chosen licence category.
AME Module Examinations Requirement for Applying AME Licence
As per DGCA CAR-66, each AME licence category and sub-category has a defined set of basic knowledge modules. Candidates are required to pass all prescribed modules relevant to the licence category they are applying for.
Module examinations are conducted in accordance with DGCA-approved syllabi
No licence can be issued unless all required modules are successfully passed
There is no exemption from module examinations, irrespective of the educational background
Passing module examinations demonstrates that the applicant possesses the theoretical knowledge necessary to safely maintain and certify aircraft.
Practical Maintenance Experience Requirement for Applying AME Licence
As per DGCA CAR-66, practical aircraft maintenance experience is a mandatory requirement for the issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) licence. The duration of experience depends on the licence category and the candidate’s entry route.
In general, candidates must gain practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft in a civil aircraft maintenance environment, such as a DGCA-approved maintenance organisation. This experience must involve a representative cross-section of real maintenance tasks and not only classroom or training-school activities.
CAR-66 allows experience concessions based on qualifications:
Candidates who have completed CAR-147 (Basic) AME training are eligible for the maximum reduction in required experience.
Candidates holding relevant engineering degrees may also receive experience concessions, but usually less than CAR-147-trained candidates.
Candidates with no formal technical training are required to complete the full experience period specified for the licence category.
All maintenance experience must be:
Properly recorded in an Aircraft Maintenance Log Book
Countersigned by a licensed AME under whose supervision the work was carried out
Experience not documented in a logbook cannot be counted.
CAR-66 also recognises an alternative pathway where twelve years of aircraft maintenance experience gained outside a civil environment, supplemented by at least one year of recent experience in a civil aircraft maintenance organisation, may be accepted as equivalent. Experience gained in a defence environment within the preceding fifteen years is also acceptable.
At least one year of the required experience must be recent, meaning performed close to the date of licence application and on aircraft relevant to the licence category. All experience must generally have been acquired within the ten years preceding the licence application, as specified under CAR-66.
Important Note: Regardless of the experience route, all candidates must pass the complete set of DGCA module examinations without exemption.
Aircraft Type Rated Training and Type Examinations Requirement before Applying AME Licence
Aircraft type-rated training is not mandatory for the initial issue of an AME licence. However, it is required for:
Exercising certification privileges on a specific aircraft type
Performing maintenance certification duties in an airline or approved maintenance organisation
Type training includes both theoretical and practical examinations conducted in accordance with DGCA-approved standards.
Demonstration of Skills Requirement for AME Licence Issuance
In addition to examinations and experience, candidates must demonstrate practical maintenance skills relevant to the licence category applied for. This includes:
Proper use of maintenance manuals
Adherence to safety and human factors principles
Correct execution of maintenance tasks under supervision
Skill demonstration ensures that the applicant is competent to perform aircraft maintenance safely and effectively in real operational environments.
Minimum Age Requirement for Applying AME Licence
As per DGCA CAR-66 requirements:
A candidate must have attained a minimum age of 18 years before applying for the issue of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering licence.
Summary & Final Thoughts
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) eligibility is governed strictly by civil aviation authorities, not by AICTE or universities. As a result, the eligibility framework for AME is fundamentally different from conventional engineering or degree-based courses.
To enter an AME course, candidates must primarily meet the educational and medical fitness requirements, with Physics and Mathematics forming the foundation of aircraft maintenance training. Commerce or Arts backgrounds are not directly eligible unless a recognised PCM equivalency is completed.
However, becoming eligible for an AME Licence demands far more than academic entry criteria. A candidate must successfully complete:
Approved CAR-147 basic training or an accepted engineering degree
All DGCA-mandated module examinations
The required practical maintenance experience in a controlled, approved maintenance environment
Type-rated training, skill demonstration, and compliance with minimum age and medical standards
Every step in the AME licensing pathway is designed to ensure that only competent, medically fit, and technically qualified individuals are authorised to certify aircraft as airworthy. This reflects the safety-critical nature of the profession and the global responsibility entrusted to licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.
Prospective students should always verify eligibility requirements against the latest DGCA CAR-66 and CAR-147 regulations, as aviation standards evolve with safety, technology, and international harmonisation.
FAQs on Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Eligibility (Including Common Myths)
Can I Join Aircraft Maintenance Engineering After 10th?
No. Students cannot directly join Aircraft Maintenance Engineering after 10th grade.
To become eligible for AME training, a candidate must first complete:
10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), or
A Diploma in Engineering from a recognised board
Only after meeting these educational requirements can a student apply for DGCA CAR-147-approved AME training.
Is Physics Compulsory for AME?
Yes. Physics is mandatory for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering eligibility.
Aircraft maintenance involves:
Aerodynamics
Electrical and electronic systems
Mechanical and structural principles
Without Physics at the qualifying level, a candidate is not eligible for AME training or licensing pathways.
Is Mathematics Required for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering?
Yes. Mathematics is compulsory.
Mathematics is essential for:
Aircraft weight and balance calculations
Performance and limitation analysis
Interpretation of technical manuals and engineering data
Candidates without Mathematics in their qualifying education do not meet AME eligibility criteria.
Can Commerce or Arts Students Apply for AME?
No. Students from the Commerce or Arts streams are not eligible for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. However, they may become eligible only if they later complete Physics and Mathematics (PCM equivalency) through a recognised and approved education pathway.
Is There Any Maximum Age Limit for the AME Course?
No. There is no officially specified maximum age limit for joining the AME course.
Eligibility depends on:
Meeting educational requirements
Medical fitness
Ability to successfully complete training, examinations, and practical experience
Is AME Only for Boys?
No. This is a myth. Girls are fully eligible for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and may pursue AME training and licensing on equal terms, provided all eligibility criteria are met.
Does AME Not Need Mathematics?
False. Mathematics is compulsory for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering eligibility and professional competency. Any claim suggesting that AME does not require Mathematics is incorrect and misleading.
Important Note:
Eligibility requirements may vary slightly based on regulatory updates, individual cases, or genuine student enquiries. Candidates should always refer to the latest DGCA notifications and CAR regulations before applying.
Author: SkyInsight Aviation Editorial Team
Last Updated: January 2026
