Any technician who refuses to submit to a drug test, which is required by 14 CFR part 120, section 120.15, is subject to denial by the FAA of any application for additional certification or ratings, as well as suspension or revocation of any existing certificate or rating they currently hold. Part 120, section 120.117, Implementing a Drug Testing Program, requires a urine sample from the employee. Part 120, section 120.37, Misuse of Alcohol, requires that the employee submit to a breath test. Each section contains a “Definitions” section and a section titled “Employees who must be tested.”

Persons involved with “Aircraft maintenance or preventative maintenance duties” are listed in both sections. There are various types (or rather times) when testing is required:

The numerous test methods and the harsh penalty imposed by the FAA on those who involve themselves with these unauthorized substances or abuse the allowable use of alcohol indicates the concern that the FAA has for the possible impairment of technicians. Aviation maintenance is a professional career choice that demands the highest caliber technical person to be capable of functioning at their maximum potential. There is no room in this profession for a person to be involved with substance abuse. By doing so, the technician not only endangers themselves, but their co-workers, and ultimately the customer who is expecting to have an airworthy aircraft delivered following a maintenance activity.

The requirements for obtaining a mechanic certificate are:

If a technician has one of the ratings and desires to add the other, they must meet the requirements set forth in section 65.77, and take the written, oral, and practical tests within 24 months.

The FAA recognizes two ratings: airframe and powerplant. These may be attained by a person upon successful application and testing either individually or as a combined certificate.

Any person holding an aircraft (A) or aircraft engine (E) certificate prior to June 15, 1952, and which was valid on that date, may exchange it for the corresponding current certificate. If both ratings were held, the A & E certificate may be exchanged for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P).

Any applicant meeting the experience requirements listed in section 65.77 must pass a written test (minimum passing score of 70% as described in section 65.17) covering the construction and maintenance of aircraft. There are three separate tests that the applicant for the A&P certificate must pass: General (60 questions), Airframe (100 questions), and Powerplant (100 questions). Applicable portions of 14 CFR 43 and 91 are also included in the testing. Basic principles for the installation and maintenance of propellers are included with the testing that is administered for the powerplant rating. Successful completion of the written test is required before the candidate may apply for the oral and practical tests identified in section 65.79.

Each mechanic applicant must have a certificate of completion from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS) (14 CFR part 147) or provide documented evidence of a minimum of 18 months practical experience related to either airframe or powerplant maintenance (30 months required if applying for certification for both airframe and powerplant).

Oral and practical tests to determine the applicant’s basic knowledge and skills necessary for the certificate or rating sought are required to be completed after the applicant has successfully completed the written test. The practical test additionally requires minor repairs and minor alterations to propellers to be demonstrated as part of the powerplant rating. To assist the applicant, the Aviation Mechanic Practical Test Standards (PTS) have been published by the FAA to provide standards for testing in which the applicant for the A&P certificate should be familiar. The Aviation Mechanic PTS include the subject areas of knowledge and skill for the issuance of an aviation mechanic certificate and/or the addition of a rating. The subject areas are the topics in which aviation mechanic applicants must have knowledge and/or demonstrate skill. The PTSs are available on the FAA website at www.faa.gov.