How to convert an FAA airman certificate to a Canadian TCCA Pilot licence? | FAA pilot licence conversion

Are you thinking of converting your FAA Airman Certificate to TC Canadian pilot licence?

If you have an FAA airman certificate and want to fly for a living in Canada, you must first convert your licence to a Canadian pilot licence (TCCA – Transport Canada). 

Fortunately there is a bilateral agreement between the FAA and TCCA. This easily allows you to convert the license WITHOUT spending money on doing a practical test in an airplane/sim. 

Note: Converting to a TCCA does not require you to surrender your FAA airman certificate.

How to convert your FAA to TC licence in 5 easy steps:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Step 2: Meet the “Conditions for Conversion of Licences and Ratings” requirements.

Step 3: Obtain a Canadian Medical Certificate.

Step 4: Study and Write the Written Examination(s) in a Transport Canada Office.

Step 5: Submit the form and pay the fee to Transport Canada

Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

✅ You must hold a FAA airman certificate (not a temporary or revoked one).
✅ Your FAA certificate must not be issued based on another foreign pilot licence.
✅ Only the following FAA certificates can be converted:

• Private Pilot – Aeroplane
• Commercial Pilot – Aeroplane
• Airline Transport Pilot – Aeroplane

You may convert the following FAA ratings or qualifications:
✅ Instrument rating
✅ Aircraft class or type ratings (including seaplane ratings)
✅ Night rating or qualification

(You can apply for these at the time of conversion or submit a separate application later.)

Before starting the conversion process, you must get the appropriate TCCA medical certificate 

You must have "English Language Proficiency" endorsed on your FAA certificate or provide proof of at least Level 4 ICAO English proficiency for radiotelephony communications.

You must present valid identification, such as:
✅ Passport
✅ Passport card
✅ FAA airman certificate

Step 2: Meet the “Conditions for Conversion" requirements.

Conditions to Convert FAA Commercial Pilot Licence

✅ Hold a valid FAA Commercial Airman Certificate (airplane category & class rating) OR an FAA ATP certificate with a single-engine land (ASEL) or sea (ASES) rating.
✅ Be at least 18 years old.
✅ Have at least 200 hours of total flight time.
✅ Obtain a TCCA Category 1 medical certificate.
✅ Pass the FAACA written exam (Conversion – Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) covering air law & communication procedures.
✅ Demonstrate English or French proficiency (read, write, and communicate).
✅ No additional flight test required.

🛑 Note: If you also want to convert an Instrument Rating, you must meet the conditions in the Instrument Rating section below.

Conditions to Convert FAA Airline Transport Pilot Licence 

✅ Hold a valid FAA ATP Certificate with multi-engine land (AMEL) or multi-engine sea (AMES) rating.
🛑 Note: If your FAA ATP certificate only has a single-engine land (ASEL) or sea (ASES) rating, you cannot convert to a TCCA ATPL. Instead, you may qualify for a TCCA Commercial Pilot Licence if you meet the CPL conversion conditions above.

✅ Be at least 21 years old.
✅ Have at least 900 hours of total flight time in airplanes.
✅ Obtain a TCCA Category 1 medical certificate.
✅ Pass the FAAAA written exam (Conversion – Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) covering air law & communication procedures.
✅ Demonstrate English or French proficiency (read, write, and communicate).
✅ Pass an FAA Instrument Proficiency Check (14 CFR §61.57(d)(1) and (2)) in an airplane or FSTD within the past 24 months.

🛑 Note: Flight Engineer time cannot be credited toward ATPL flight hours.

Conditions to Convert FAA Instrument Rating

✅ Hold at least an FAA Private Pilot Certificate with an airplane category & class rating that includes instrument privileges.
✅ No additional flight experience required.
✅ Obtain a TCCA Category 1 or Category 3 medical certificate.
✅ Pass the FAAIA written exam (Conversion – Instrument Rating – Aeroplane) covering air law & communication procedures.
✅ Demonstrate English or French proficiency (read, write, and communicate).
✅ Pass an FAA Instrument Proficiency Check (14 CFR §61.57(d)(1) and (2)) in an airplane or FSTD within the past 24 months.

Step 3: Obtain a Canadian Medical Certificate.

You require a TC medical prior to writing your exam. You can find a TC examiner in most parts of the world.

Medical examiner search:

https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/came-meac/l.aspx?lang=eng

Step 4: Study and Write the Written Examination(s) in a Transport Canada Office.

The exam to study is using these courses. For CPL you need the FAACA course. For IR you need the FAAIA course. For ATPL you need the FAAAA course. 

https://courses.www.pilotdmello.com/faaca-faaia-faaaa-foreign-licence-conversion

Reserve your exam minimum 30 days in advance of coming to Canada here:

https://examens-aviation-exams.tc.canada.ca/en/schedule/step1/

Step 5: Submit the form and pay the fee to Transport Canada

The form can be downloaded from the following Internet web site:
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/search/results?Keywords=&FormNumber=26-0726

Information about the Aviation Document Booklet can be found at the following Internet web site: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/applying-aviation-document-booklet

✈️ By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to flying under a TCCA licence in Canada!

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to obtaining your TCCA pilot licence and continuing your aviation career in Canada! ✈️

You can also watch my Youtube video here which explains the different types of FAA to TC exams: