Hello, I am Andrew Smith; I will be giving your tour today. It is good to meet you Roger Ratchet, I understand you are interested in our Bachelor of Science degree in aviation maintenance. What brought you to tour and consider our aviation programs?

"I want to get my A&P license," says Roger. "Oh, I understand, you want to study to earn the FAA Mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings," says Andrew. "No, I just want to get my A&P license," responds Roger, and so the tour continues.

It has become clear that many people in and out of our industry struggle with understanding the government credential provided to a person with return to service authority for U.S.-registered aircraft. To help, by conceding on the issue, the FAA displays on its web page a headline tab labeled Licenses & Certificates. Several schools, maintenance operators, overhaul shops, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, ads in magazines and writings in journals use A&P license, A&P rating or A&P certificate as synonymous terms. Most people understand what A&P means and what A&Ps do; however, clarity on this credential may be helpful to all of us.

FAA issues certificates, ratings, authorizations, designations and letters. That’s right; the FAA does not issue licenses. If you question this statement pull out your wallet or open your toolbox, remove your FAA airman (mechanic) document and read certificate (not license) number; yes, it is a certificate, not a license.

Now let’s look at the difference between license and certificate. Per the dictionary, license dates back to the 14th century; a term from Middle English rooted in Latin from licentia, meaning permission to act or permission granted to engage in business or occupation. The term certificate comes later from 15th century Middle English certificat, meaning a document as to the truth of something, certifying that one has fulfilled requirements and may practice in a field; a document evidencing ownership. Examples of looking at these two terms in other areas beyond the FAA credential include a licensed doctor who issues birth certificates, a licensed clergy person performing wedding ceremonies followed by the issuance of marriage certificates verifying nuptials exchanged. Another example could be a licensed building inspector issuing a certificate of occupancy to an owner of a new home.

What is clear in these examples is a license is a privilege by permission to act and the certificate issued is a document of truth; those people in ownership of the certificate have the right to prove to others they were born, they were married or have the right to live in a particular home.

Let’s look at one other example; consider a state driver’s license. If a state legislature changes the minimum driving age from 16 to 21 years old, all people affected would need to comply or face the state penalty. The debate and decision may or may not be widely publicized and aside from all input state leaders choose the outcome by their vote.

Not so with the FAA Mechanic certificate. If, for many different reasons, our government felt compelled to change the certificate process, or privileges and limitations of the certificate holder the FAA is required by law to publicize in the Federal Registry and send out a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM process requires a comment period and all submitted comments must be considered and addressed (disposed of) prior to the regulation change.

The U.S. government has issued Airman certificates since 1926, as is stated on the back of the letter that accompanies a newly issued certificate. An FAA certificate provides the holder the proof of certification and the right to practice. To call any FAA certificate a license is incorrect; this undermines the certificate and degrades the credential with a misunderstanding focused on privilege and not on a right.

There are many other countries, and even organizations like European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that do issue licenses to people who have received training, experience and qualify to work on other nationally registered aircraft. The United States sees this differently and through the FAA it grants certificated Airmen the right to practice.

I hope this helps us all in our future conversations as we dialogue with others in our industry and beyond. A license grants permission to act, and a certificate grants a right to practice; to those of you who hold the A&P, a mechanic certificate, enjoy your right to practice.

"Well, Roger, I enjoyed visiting with you about becoming an A&P and a degree holder. I see you are pleased so can we enroll you for next semester?" asks Andrew. "Thank you Mr. Smith, I look forward to class; I think I will go back to the bookstore to get textbooks and start reading," replies Roger.