Apply for a theoretical examination for aviation personnel (ATPL, MPL, CPL, IR, CB-IR, BIR, FI)

To apply for a theoretical examination for aviation personnel, please proceed as follows:

• Go to the federal portal and complete the online application.
• You can upload your documents directly.
• After the authority has processed your application, you will receive a summons and, if applicable, a notice of costs. The digitally issued documents are then stored in your BundID account mailbox.
• You can retrieve the summons and the notice of costs via your BundID account mailbox. You pay using the options described in the cost assessment notice.

After you have completed the requested theoretical examination, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation will send the results notification to your mailbox via the federal portal. You can retrieve the notification via your BundID account mailbox.

• You want to take a theoretical examination in flying techniques or as a pilot.
• You have the necessary examination recommendations and, if applicable, previous licenses.

for the application for a theoretical examination:

• Proof of examination recommendation: this must be no more than 12 months old
• Pre-license, if applicable

for repeat examinations:

• renewed proof of the ATO's examination recommendation for the subjects to be repeated

if your training organization does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt:

• Certificate from the Approved Training Organization (ATO) where the training was conducted
• Proof that the ATO is approved for the training undertaken, attachment to the certificate
• Examination recommendation for the subjects applied for with the date of completion of the training in the respective subject (date of the school-internal final test)
• Proof that the theoretical training was carried out in accordance with the approved training program and to the required extent
• if completing a distance learning course: proof of the distance learning phase and the required face-to-face instruction
• for training courses that require the possession of an initial license: A copy of the license
• written declaration that the applicant is not currently undergoing an examination in any other country

for the recognition of theoretical knowledge:

• Proof of a theory test passed in accordance with Part-FCL / JAR-FCL
• For pilots with an existing third-country license (ATPL), a notice of approval from the L1 department (LBA) regarding corresponding training facilitations is required

when applying for a radiotelephony examination:

• Scanned copy of the existing aircraft radio certificate (optional)

required for substitution:

• Proof of authorization to represent (power of attorney)

Please refer to the application form to find out which documents are required in your case.

The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) usually sends the summons and, if applicable, a notice of costs for the theoretical examination shortly after the application has been submitted.

The examination results are usually sent via the federal portal on the working day following the last day of your examination session.

• Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to mobile staff in civil aviation pursuant to Regulation No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/723 of 4 March 2020 laying down detailed rules for the recognition of third country certifications of pilots and amending Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011
• § Section 4 (2) of the Ordinance on Aircraft Radio Certificates (FlugfunkV) in conjunction with Notice to Airmen (NfL) II 44/95 (administrative agreement)
• § Section 63 Ordinance on Aviation Personnel (LuftPersV)
• Examination regulations for conducting the theoretical examination for aviation personnel at the Federal Aviation Office

• Contradiction
  You will find further information on how to lodge an objection in the notification of your application.

• Information on aviation personnel on the website of the Federal Aviation Office
• Information on the theoretical examination for aviation personnel on the website of the Federal Aviation Office

21.08.2025