Private Pilot
Canadian private pilot licence to FAA private pilot certificate. Preparation for airplane and helicopter conversion tests is included in this title.
GroundSchool learning resources
Canadian to FAA pilot licence conversion
Prepare for your Canadian-to-FAA conversion knowledge test with actual and highly realistic FAA questions, focused study, and detailed explanations. Choose the GroundSchool title for the FAA certificate or instrument rating you are seeking.
Find the prep for your Canadian conversion test
Choose the GroundSchool title that matches the FAA certificate or rating you are seeking. Inside the app, select the Canadian conversion test for airplane or helicopter, as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot
Canadian commercial pilot licence to FAA commercial pilot certificate. Preparation for airplane and helicopter conversion tests is included in this title.
Instrument Rating
Canadian instrument rating to FAA instrument rating. Preparation for airplane and helicopter conversion tests is included in this title.
Airline Transport Pilot
Canadian ATPL to FAA airline transport pilot certificate. Preparation for airplane and helicopter conversion tests is included in this title.
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Understand the conversion process
Converting a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) pilot licence to an FAA certificate involves eligibility, document verification, the applicable medical requirements, and the appropriate knowledge test or tests. Passing a knowledge test is one part of the process.
The FAA’s AC 61-135A, including Change 1, explains the accepted conversion process for airplane and helicopter licences at private, commercial, and airline transport levels, together with associated ratings. Read it before selecting your exam. If your circumstances are unusual, contact an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
Confirm your paperwork before booking
Follow the FAA’s instructions for authentication of your Canadian licence and for the certificate application. Applicants who have a foreign address and no U.S. physical address of record must also check the U.S. agent-for-service requirements described in Change 1. IACRA is the FAA’s application system; it is not a Canadian licence. A Canadian IATRA examination pass is not an ATPL.
Frequently asked questions
Which conversion test should I take?
Start with the FAA certificate or rating you want and the privileges you already hold. The core groups are Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Airline Transport Pilot, with airplane and helicopter variants. Use AC 61-135A and, when necessary, an FAA FSDO to confirm the exact test. GroundSchool can then help you prepare for that test.
What about instrument ratings?
Instrument conversion has separate airplane and helicopter tests. Your situation may require a licence-conversion test and a separate instrument-rating conversion test. Confirm the combination with the FAA before scheduling.
Which GroundSchool app do I need?
Use Private Pilot for Private Pilot Canadian Conversion (Airplane/Helicopter), Commercial Pilot for Commercial Pilot Canadian Conversion (Airplane/Helicopter), Instrument Rating for Instrument Rating Canadian Conversion (Airplane/Helicopter), and ATP for ATP Canadian Conversion (Airplane/Helicopter). The links above take you to the matching title and platform choices.
The app also prepares people for the full FAA test. Is it the right product?
Yes. Each title contains preparation for several tests. Select your exact Canadian conversion test on the app’s test-selection screen. This filters the study material to the questions our editors judge relevant to that test.
Why are there more practice questions than questions on the actual test?
The actual exam samples a smaller number of questions from a much broader subject area. Your preparation needs to cover the range of material that could be tested. The conversion selection is narrower than the full FAA certificate test, but you should still expect a substantial amount of study.
Is the conversion test only “Air Law”?
The conversion guidance uses air law and communications, but those headings cover more than a short list of regulations. They include U.S. operating rules, airspace, communications, procedures, and other knowledge appropriate to the certificate. Review the knowledge areas below and study the explanations, not just the correct letters.
The app shows a generic Canadian conversion test as well as airplane and helicopter versions. Which should I use?
If a legacy generic selection is still shown, new users should choose the specific airplane or helicopter test. Older generic selections were retained for existing users with saved sessions and were broadly based on the airplane material. If you already have saved study in a legacy selection, update the app and contact our helpdesk if you need help choosing the current equivalent.
How closely do the questions match the FAA exam?
GroundSchool includes actual and highly realistic FAA questions, with focused preparation for your Canadian conversion test. Our questions closely reflect the content, style, and level of detail you can expect, helping the material on test day feel familiar.
The FAA can introduce new questions or vary the wording, numbers, figures, and answer choices. Our detailed explanations prepare you to answer both familiar questions and variations with confidence. See how GroundSchool prepares you for actual FAA questions.
How much study will I need?
Plan for conscientious study even if you have extensive Canadian flying experience or regularly fly in the United States. Use several practice tests to check consistency, revisit weak areas, and understand why each answer is correct. Strong practice scores are encouraging, but they are not a guarantee of an exam result.
Which platforms are available?
GroundSchool is available for Windows computers, Apple Mac computers, iPhone/iPad, and Android devices. Each platform is purchased separately. The core questions, answers, and explanations are the same; the interface reflects the device. Choose the platform you prefer for concentrated study or portability, and use its in-app update feature regularly.
I hold a Canadian ATPL but want an FAA commercial or private certificate. What should I study?
The conversion test should correspond to the FAA certificate you are applying for, rather than simply the highest Canadian licence you hold. Confirm the exact requirement in AC 61-135A or with an FAA FSDO before purchasing or booking a test.
Do I give up my Canadian licence when I convert?
The conversion process does not require you to surrender your Canadian licence. You must continue to meet the applicable requirements when exercising either authority’s privileges. An FAA certificate can be useful for U.S. flying and career plans, but the certificate alone does not remove medical, currency, or other operating requirements.
Are the conversion tests offered in French? Les examens sont-ils offerts en français?
These are FAA examinations and are administered in English.
Ces examens sont administrés par la FAA des États-Unis et sont offerts en anglais, et non par Transports Canada.
What if I need airplane and helicopter privileges, or a different certificate level in each?
Discuss the combination with an FAA FSDO and use the current advisory circular. You may need more than one test, and the documentation depends on the ratings you seek.
What if I am not a Canadian citizen or have another unusual circumstance?
Review the eligibility provisions of AC 61-135A, then ask an FAA FSDO about your specific circumstances. Licence-issuing authority, citizenship, residency, licence verification, and certificate eligibility are different issues; do not assume that one answer covers them all.
Aeronautical knowledge areas
The following guide preserves the subject areas and references discussed on this page. Use the current FAA conversion guidance for the definitive requirements and current editions of all references.
Private Pilot
U.S. rules relevant to private pilot privileges; rules of the air and airspace; air traffic practices, communications, and emergency procedures.
References: 14 CFR parts 1, 43, 61, and 91; 49 CFR part 830; the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM); the Airplane Flying Handbook; and the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
Commercial Pilot
U.S. rules relevant to commercial pilot privileges; rules of the air and airspace; air traffic practices and communications.
References: 14 CFR parts 1, 61, and 91; 49 CFR part 830; the AIM; and the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
Airline Transport Pilot
U.S. rules relevant to airline transport pilot privileges; rules of the air and airspace; air traffic practices and communications.
References: 14 CFR parts 1, 61, 71, 91, 119, 121, and 139; 49 CFR parts 172, 175, 830, and 1544; the AIM; and the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
Instrument Rating
U.S. rules relevant to instrument-rating privileges; rules of the air and airspace; air traffic practices and communications.
References: 14 CFR parts 61 and 91; 49 CFR part 830; the AIM; U.S. Terminal Procedures; the Instrument Flying Handbook; and the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
AC 61-135A with Change 1 · FAA conversion knowledge-test guide · Find an FAA FSDO
Questions about using our apps? Our helpdesk can help. Good luck on your test, and blue skies from the CanadaPilot.com / FAATest.com team.