Obtaining an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence

Aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) licences are issued by Transport Canada to certify the performance of maintenance. Before applying for this licence, applicants take basic training, get experience and write exams.

On this page

• Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence requirements
• Step 1: Before getting licensed as an AME
• Step 2: AME basic training programs
• Step 3: Maintenance task skill requirement
• Step 4: Study and reference guide – AME exams
• Step 5: Submitting an application for the AME licence

Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence requirements

Important Notice: The AME licence credential (credit card–style licence) have changed. It has been newly designed and issued with:

• better security features;
• a 10-year validity period; and
• no photograph

Please read the Advisory Circular 566-003 – New Design of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence for more information.

Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licensing and training requirements are outlined in:

• the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part IV, Subpart 3
• the Airworthiness Manual Chapter 566

The information on this page is a basic overview only. Read the above documents before beginning an AME training program.

Due to circumstances related to COVID-19, interim changes to the AME licence application and approval procedures have been put in place. Please consult the COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for aviation issued by Transport Canada.

Step 1: Before getting licensed as an AME

You must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Complete a Transport Canada-approved AME basic training program (or one that is acceptable to Transport Canada)
• Get the total amount of applicable civil aviation maintenance experience
• Gain skills by doing a number of specific maintenance tasks
• Successfully complete the technical (if required) and regulatory exams
• Submit an application with the correct form and all other required documentation

• Note: there is no conversion of aircraft maintenance licences in Canada. All applicants must meet the requirements for initial issuance.

For further information, see Transport Canada’s AME Licensing General Information Pamphlet.

Step 2: AME basic training programs

The first step in becoming an AME is to do a basic training program.

• Find a list of Transport Canada-approved/acceptable AME basic training organizations (currently active)
• Learn more about approved training organizations

Transport Canada must review and accept any other AME basic training programs.

We set out the topics that students learn in approved AME training programs. We also have samples of basic training curriculum for:

• maintenance ("M" rating)
• avionics ("E" rating)
• structures ("S" rating)

These samples explain the AME training goals listed in the Airworthiness Manual Chapter 566, Appendix C. We may use curriculum samples to assess the documentation of students who did not obtain their basic training from an approved or acceptable training organization.

Step 3: Maintenance task skill requirement

Part of the aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) application is providing proof that you have performed maintenance tasks. You must keep records to show you have done specific tasks that are important for the issuance of an AME licence.

There is no formal AME log book. However, you can use the following documents to record the tasks you have completed for the skill requirement:

• "M1 or M2" rating maintenance task record
• "E" rating maintenance task record
• "S" rating maintenance task record
• “Balloon” rating maintenance task record

Maintenance of the following aircraft does not qualify for experience credit:

• ultra-light
• advanced ultra-light
• amateur-built
• owner-maintained

Step 4: Study and reference guide – AME exams

Transport Canada publishes the Study and Reference Guide – Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Technical Examinations – TP 14038E. If you are planning to take an AME exam, read this guide to find:

• exam formats
• sample topics for maintenance ("M"), avionics ("E"), and structures ("S") exams
• a list of more study resources

Step 5: Submitting an application for the AME Licence

When you have completed all training and exam requirements, choose the relevant procedure to submit an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence application.

If you received your basic training from an approved training organization, follow these steps:

1. Download the application form (available in PDF only).
   

   Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence Application
   [PDF, 1.3 MB]

2. Follow detailed instructions on the application form.
3. Submit the form, along with supporting documentation, in person, by mail or electronically to your nearest Transport Canada Centre.

4. Applicants residing outside of Canada must send their application by mail or electronically to Transport Canada headquarters at:

   Transport Canada (Operational Airworthiness)
   330 Sparks Street
   Ottawa, Ontario
   K1A 0N5
   AMELicence-LicencedeTEA@tc.gc.ca

   Note: Electronic documents should be scanned in color using an appropriate scanning device in accordance with Internal Process Bulletin (IPB) 2020-08 – Interim changes to the AME Licence Application and Approval Procedures.

5. Where documents are not submitted in person, they must be certified as true copies by one of the following individuals:
   1. A notary public or commissioner for oaths;
   2. A TC Civil aviation Safety Inspector/Officer or Administrative (Operational) Support Personnel; or
   3. A holder of a valid Canadian AME Licence.

   Note: Individuals certifying the documentation are required to indicate their name, region or AME licence number, as applicable, and the date of certification.

If you did not successfully complete your basic training from an Approved Training Organization with knowledge credit, apply using the AME Licence Application Supplement form 26-0638.