​We expect 2026–27 to be a big year for the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential.

Participation has already grown dramatically. In 2024, four students from one Choose Aerospace program sat for the credential exam. By 2026, 31 students from five schools participated. This year, we are taking several important steps to help even more eligible students prepare for and earn the credential.

Beginning with the 2026–27 program year, Choose Aerospace licensing includes two attempts at the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential exam for students who successfully complete all 12 courses and receive their teacher's endorsement. Students earn the credential by passing a comprehensive written examination with a score of 75 percent or higher. The credential provides third-party validation of students' foundational aviation maintenance knowledge aligned with the FAA Mechanic Airman Certification Standards. It can enhance employability for students seeking non-certificated technician roles and provide opportunities for credit for prior learning at participating FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician schools.

We also want students to have plenty of time and the right resources to prepare. Thanks to generous support from ASA (asa2fly.com), Choose Aerospace programs will receive Prepware School at no additional cost. This is a platform teachers can use to build and assign quizzes for their students and is the same platform used in the ATEC exam. Each guide includes an activation key for Prepware, giving students another way to prepare using the same platform used to administer the credential exam.

We are equally grateful to aviation education materials provider Navispire (navispire.org), which is helping us put these resources directly into the hands of our students. Also included in your annual license fees, the study guides will be made available through a coupon code teachers can use when ordering through Navispire. Codes and ordering instructions will be sent directly to teachers in a couple of months.

Our goal is to identify students who will be eligible to test in May 2027 early enough to give them months, rather than weeks, to prepare. Teachers should watch their inboxes this fall for detailed guidance on Prepware School, study materials, identifying eligible students, and planning for credential testing. Schools with strict district software approval or student data policies should reach out to Kelly early so we can provide guidance.

Completing all 12 Choose Aerospace courses represents a significant investment of time and effort. The ATEC credential gives students an industry-recognized way to document what they have learned and carry that achievement with them as they move into employment, military service, or an A&P school.

With testing, study materials, and preparation resources now built into the Choose Aerospace experience, we are excited to see how many students reach that milestone in 2027.

Learn more about the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential.

In aviation maintenance, a familiarization course—or "Fam Course"—helps technicians become comfortable with a new aircraft or system before they begin working on it. We borrowed that tradition for our annual SkilRedi Fam Course webinar on August 5 at 1:00 p.m. Central.

Whether you're new to the Choose Aerospace SkilRedi learning platform, implementing it for the first time, or simply want a refresher before the school year begins, this live webinar will walk you through the platform, highlight recent updates, and answer your questions before students return to the classroom.

Members of the SkilRedi development team will be available throughout the session to answer your questions and help you get the most out of the platform.

Join us as we prepare for another successful year of aviation maintenance education.

Watch the recording.

​ATEC has filed a petition asking the FAA to allow students who earn the ATEC General Aviation Maintenance Credential to take the FAA Aviation Mechanic General written knowledge test.

The Credential is awarded after a student completes the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum, receives a teacher endorsement verifying satisfactory performance and readiness, and passes the comprehensive, proctored ATEC Credential examination.

If the petition is granted on the requested terms, Credential holders could take the FAA General knowledge test within 12 months of earning the Credential. This opportunity would give students tangible progress toward mechanic certification before entering an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician school (AMTS) or beginning qualifying employment. A passing test report could also strengthen applications for AMTS admission, apprenticeships, and entry-level aviation employment.

The test report could further support AMTS decisions—at each school’s discretion—regarding credit, placement, and entry into the Airframe or Powerplant curriculum.

The exemption would not make a student a certificated mechanic or reduce any certification requirement. Students would still need to complete the required AMTS training or practical experience and pass all applicable written, oral, and practical examinations to obtain mechanic certification.

The petition is at the beginning of the FAA review process, and ATEC does not expect a decision for at least six months. In the meantime, Choose Aerospace programs should continue operating under current requirements and keep students on track to complete the Curriculum, receive their teacher endorsement, and take the ATEC Credential examination. This will position successful Credential holders to take the FAA General Written Test at the end of the academic year if the exemption is granted and effective by that time.

ATEC anticipates that the FAA will publish a summary of the petition in the Federal Register and open a public-comment period. When that occurs, Choose Aerospace schools, educators, students, parents, AMTS partners, and employers will have an opportunity to explain how early testing could strengthen student engagement and create clearer pathways into aviation maintenance careers.

ATEC will notify participating programs when the comment period opens and provide the docket information, deadline, and guidance for submitting comments. We will continue sharing updates as the petition moves through the FAA review process.