A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is a highly experienced pilot authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to act as a representative of the Administrator. This designation allows the DPE to conduct practical examinations, commonly known as checkrides, for pilot certificates and ratings. The DPE program leverages the expertise of the aviation community to ensure all pilots meet the FAA’s standards for competence and safety. Becoming a DPE requires meeting experience minimums, submitting a formal application, and completing mandatory federal training.
Essential Prerequisites and Candidate Profile
Becoming a DPE involves meeting stringent experience and certification requirements detailed in FAA guidance, such as Order 8900.2. These prerequisites establish a baseline of technical competence and professional maturity that all candidates must possess. The FAA seeks candidates who have demonstrated a consistent history of safe, responsible, and proficient operation.
Pilot Certificate and Ratings Minimums
Applicants must hold all pertinent category, class, and type ratings for the aircraft and certificate level they wish to test. A current Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI) is required for nearly all DPE designations. The applicant must maintain at least a third-class medical certificate if the designation involves testing in aircraft that require one. This medical requirement is waived for examiners limited to gliders, balloons, or flight simulators.
Flight Time and Instructional Experience
The FAA sets specific minimums for flight time, which vary depending on the complexity of the designation sought. For example, a candidate seeking a Private Pilot Airplane Examiner designation must have a minimum of 2,000 hours of total Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time. This must include at least 100 hours of PIC time logged within the 12 months preceding the application. A significant instructional background is also mandated, requiring at least 500 hours of dual instruction given.
Professional Reputation and Enforcement History
The FAA conducts a thorough review of the candidate’s professional standing and personal conduct. A DPE applicant must be at least 23 years of age and demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment. The candidate’s record is scrutinized for any history of accidents, incidents, or violations of Federal Aviation Regulations. The candidate is also expected to have a history of cooperative relationships with the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
Preparing for and Submitting the Application
Once prerequisites are met, the candidate must navigate the formal administrative process. The initial step involves completing the FAA Form 8710-10, the National Examiner Board-Designated Pilot Examiner Candidate Application. This application, along with copies of all airman and instructor certificates, is submitted to the National Examiner Board (NEB) in Oklahoma City for a preliminary audit.
The NEB reviews the application to confirm the candidate meets the minimum technical requirements outlined in FAA Order 8900.2. A successful preliminary review places the applicant into a national candidate pool, which is maintained for up to two years. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an appointment, as selection is based on the needs of the local Flight Standards District Office.
The managing FAA office, such as a local FSDO, must identify a specific need for a DPE in their geographic area and confirm their ability to oversee an additional designee. When a need is established, the managing office accesses the national candidate pool and selects an applicant. The selected candidate is contacted for further vetting, which includes interviews with a Flight Safety Inspector. This local clearance is the final administrative approval before the formal training process begins.
The DPE Standardization Training Program
Following selection by the local FAA office, the candidate must complete the mandatory educational phase known as the Initial Standardization Seminar. This intensive training program ensures that all designated examiners operate under a uniform set of procedures and regulatory interpretations. The seminar is typically a five-day course conducted at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.
The curriculum focuses on regulatory compliance, administrative procedures, and the standardized application of the Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Candidates are trained on techniques for conducting both the oral and flight portions of the practical test in a fair and consistent manner. They also learn the proper use of the Designee Management System (DMS) for processing applications and issuing temporary certificates.
The training covers the specific guidance and directives within FAA Order 8900.2, the General Aviation Airman Designee Handbook. Successful completion of this seminar is a prerequisite for formal designation and must be accomplished within 12 calendar months of selection by the managing FAA office. This standardization process is designed to eliminate subjective variations between individual examiners.
Initial Designation and Oversight
Upon successful completion of the Standardization Seminar, the candidate is formally appointed as a DPE by the supervising FSDO. The examiner receives a Certificate of Authority (COA) letter, which specifies their authorized privileges and any initial limitations placed on their examining activities. New examiners are often limited to conducting tests for specific certificates or ratings until they gain experience and demonstrate adherence to FAA standards.
The COA may specify the exact make and model of aircraft the DPE is authorized to test in, especially for complex or multiengine aircraft. For instance, a DPE must have logged a minimum of 5 hours of Pilot-in-Command time in a specific make and model of multiengine airplane before conducting a checkride in that aircraft.
A requirement for initial designation involves a period of direct oversight by the managing FAA office. The new DPE must administer one or more practical tests while being observed by an FAA inspector. This observation confirms the DPE is applying the learned standards correctly and is proficient in all administrative and procedural aspects of the role before operating independently.
Maintaining and Renewing DPE Status
A DPE designation is not permanent and must be actively maintained through recurrent training and performance monitoring. The Certificate of Authority has a specified expiration date, requiring the examiner to undergo an annual renewal process with the managing FSDO. Renewal is contingent upon a review of the DPE’s performance record and continued compliance with all regulatory standards.
Recurrent training is mandatory for maintaining the designation, often involving annual seminars conducted by the managing FSDO. DPEs must also attend the FAA’s recurrent training seminar every 24 months, which is led by the Designee Standardization Branch (AFS-640). These sessions review changes to regulations, policy, and the Airman Certification Standards.
To remain current and eligible to test, airplane examiners must maintain an annual minimum of 60 hours of Pilot-in-Command time, with at least 10 hours in each aircraft class authorized on their COA. The FAA maintains oversight, which includes periodic observation of a DPE conducting a checkride to assess adherence to testing and administrative standards. Failure to meet these performance metrics, administrative accuracy requirements, or recurrent training mandates can lead to the non-renewal or termination of the DPE’s authorized privileges.