UK CAA to FAA License Conversion

UK pilots pursuing FAA certification are dealing with a post-Brexit reality that many European guides do not address accurately. Since the UK CAA resumed full regulatory independence from EASA, UK licenses are no longer interchangeable with European licenses — and the pathway to FAA certification has its own specific requirements.

This guide addresses what UK CAA pilots actually face when converting to FAA, including the post-Brexit documentation requirements that catch pilots off guard.

For the broader licensing decision, start with the Pilot License Conversion Guide.

Who This Page Is For

Pilots holding a valid UK CAA CPL or ATPL issued after Brexit, or pilots whose EASA licenses were novated to UK CAA following the UK's departure from the European Union. This includes UK-based airline pilots, business aviation pilots, and those planning to work in the United States or on N-registered aircraft.

If you hold an EASA license issued by an EU Member State authority, see the separate EASA to FAA guide.

The Post-Brexit Situation

Before Brexit, UK pilots held EASA licenses issued through the UK CAA as the competent authority. After December 31, 2020, these licenses were novated to UK CAA licenses under UK aviation regulations, which are closely aligned with but legally separate from EASA standards.

For FAA conversion purposes, UK CAA licenses are treated as a foreign license from a non-EASA authority. The verification pathway is similar to other ICAO member state licenses, but the documentation requirements reflect the UK CAA as the issuing authority rather than EASA or any EU national authority.

Required Documents

• Valid UK CAA license, original or certified copy.
• UK CAA verification letter confirming license validity, privileges, and currency — requested directly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
• FAA Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner.
• Logbook documentation in English — UK logbooks are already in English, which simplifies this step.
• ICAO English Language Proficiency at Level 4 or above — UK pilots almost universally hold this.
• Valid passport.
• Type rating certificates where applicable.
• Completed FAA IACRA application.

UK pilots have an advantage in that logbook documentation and English proficiency are rarely complications. The primary variables are the certificate level being sought and whether a knowledge test or practical test is required.

Typical Timeline

• UK CAA verification letter: 3 to 8 weeks. The UK CAA is generally responsive but processing times vary.
• FAA application processing: 4 to 12 weeks after verification.
• Medical certificate: 1 to 3 weeks.
• Knowledge tests where required: 4 to 12 weeks for preparation and scheduling.
• Practical test where required: 2 to 6 weeks for scheduling.

Total realistic range: 3 to 12 months for a well-prepared applicant.

Typical Costs

Common Mistakes UK CAA Pilots Make

• Referencing EASA documentation after Brexit — UK CAA is a separate authority and EASA documents are no longer valid for UK pilots.
• Assuming the UK CAA process is identical to the EASA process — there are differences in verification procedures.
• Not checking whether their type ratings require FAA-specific endorsement.
• Underestimating timeline by assuming UK administrative efficiency translates to FAA processing speed — the bottleneck is often on the FAA side.
• Starting without confirming whether their specific flight hours meet FAA ATP minimums.

This guide is for educational purposes only. Requirements are subject to change. Final decisions are made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the FAA. FAAForeignPilot.com is not affiliated with any aviation authority.