If you hold an EASA ATPL and want a U.S. airline job, a seat with an N-registered corporate operator, or a Middle East carrier that requires FAA certification, you will need to convert. The process is well established in 2026. It still costs several thousand dollars and takes a few months.
Two routes to the FAA ATP
- ICAO conversion, the faster route, which requires a current ICAO ATPL. You request a verification letter from the FAA through IACRA. Once your licence is verified, you take the FAA ATP CTP course, the ATP written test and a practical test in a U.S. type-rating simulator.
- A standalone FAA ATP, which is slower and does not use your ICAO licence. It ends in the same place, and few pilots reading this will choose it.
The rest of this guide covers route 1.
Step 1: verification of your foreign licence
Apply on IACRA with your EASA ATPL, medical and licence history. The FAA then contacts the issuing authority, usually your national CAA, to confirm it. Expect 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer if your CAA has a backlog.
Step 2: ATP CTP (Certification Training Program)
The CTP has been mandatory for first-time ATP applicants since 2014. It combines 30 hours of academic instruction with 10 hours in a Level C/D simulator, and costs $4,500 to $6,800 in 2026 depending on the training centre. Pilot tutors know which providers in the network are cheaper; message us for the current shortlist.
Step 3: the written knowledge test (ATP-MEL)
The test has 125 multiple-choice questions in a 4-hour window, and the pass mark is 70%. You sit it at a PSI Services centre (formerly LaserGrade). First-attempt pass rates rise sharply when you prepare the FAA-specific traps, such as the differences in weight and balance reporting or FAR Part 121 against EASA Part-OPS, with someone who has already sat the test.
Step 4: the practical test
The checkride is specific to the type. If you convert on a 737, you take the combined ATP and type rating checkride. Examiner fees run $1,200 to $2,500, and you should plan 6 to 12 hours of simulator time depending on how current you are on type.
Step 5: English proficiency
The FAA accepts ICAO Level 4 or above, so a Level 5 or 6 on your EASA licence is enough. If you hold Level 4 and it expires soon, renew it with a Veejo examiner before you start the conversion. It is an easy dependency to forget.
Total cost and timeline (2026 benchmark)
| Item | Cost (USD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Verification letter | $0 (admin only) | 4-8 weeks |
| ATP CTP | $4,500-$6,800 | 1 week residential |
| ATP written | $175 | 1 day |
| Type rating + checkride | $1,200-$2,500 (examiner) + sim time | 1-3 weeks |
| Medical (Class 1) | $150-$250 | 1 day |
| Total | $6,000-$10,000+ | 2-4 months end-to-end |
Traps that catch converting pilots
- The FAA does not accept your EASA Class 1 medical. You need an FAA first-class medical from an AME, and it is worth booking before the CTP so a deferral does not hold up your checkride.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen and will train in the U.S., you need clearance under the TSA Alien Flight Student Program. Apply 60+ days ahead.
- Some operators in the Middle East and Asia accept the FAA conversion without you having flown for a U.S. carrier. Check with the operators you are targeting if you want the FAA licence on your CV but plan to stay in your region.
How Veejo helps
Pilot tutors in the Veejo network include EASA pilots who have already converted to the FAA, and one conversation with them before you start spending money is worth having. The Career Log, coming soon to the Veejo app, will help you keep track of the conversion steps and expiry dates. Once your FAA ATP is issued, your verified Veejo profile can be put in front of operators who are hiring.
Create your free Veejo profile and the conversion checklist fills in from your current licence.