14 CFR · Part 61
14 CFR § 61.213
Eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for a ground instructor certificate or rating a person must:
Be at least 18 years of age;
Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's ground instructor certificate as are necessary;
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, pass a knowledge test on the fundamentals of instructing to include—
The learning process;
Elements of effective teaching;
Student evaluation and testing;
Course development;
Lesson planning; and
Classroom training techniques.
Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas in—
For an instrument ground instructor rating, § 61.65.
The knowledge test specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section is not required if the applicant:
Holds a ground instructor certificate or flight instructor certificate issued under this part;
Holds a teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality that authorizes the person to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher; or
Is employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
Referenced By
Interpretations of This Section (2)
Advisory Circulars (1)
Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.
Regulations Referenced
Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.
Primary Source