FAA Inspection Authorization (IAR) knowledge test
The knowledge test for your Inspection Authorization — 50 questions in 3 hours on annual and progressive inspections, major repairs and alterations, Form 337, ADs and the records behind every return to service.
About the exam
An Inspection Authorization (IA) lets a mechanic with airframe and powerplant ratings perform annual inspections, perform or supervise progressive inspections, and approve major repairs and major alterations for return to service. To be eligible you must have held both ratings for a total of at least 3 years, have been actively maintaining aircraft for the 2 years before you apply, have a fixed base of operations where you can be reached in person or by phone during a normal working week, and have the equipment, facilities and inspection data to inspect properly (65.91(c)).
You start at your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO): an inspector reviews your eligibility and signs FAA Form 8610-1, Mechanic's Application for Inspection Authorization, which is your authorization to test — ask how long it's good for. The test has 50 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, each with three answer choices, and you need 70% to pass. It's given on computer only at testing centers authorized for the IAR test (confirm when you book), with any figures from the FAA's IA computer testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-8D); the testing matrix lists a minimum age of 21. If you fail, you must wait at least 90 days and return to the FAA office for a new endorsed 8610-1 — an expired test report isn't accepted for a retest.
Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the IA knowledge areas, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — weight and balance after an alteration, empty-weight CG, and AD and inspection due dates. Add flashcards for Part 43, 65 and 91 rules and Form 337 blocks, worked case walkthroughs that take an aircraft from its records to return to service, illustrated guides, and timed practice tests at the real length — 50 questions in 3 hours — with a score.
How we track your progress
Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:
- Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
- Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
- DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
- ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
- Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.
The exam blueprint
No ACS — 14 CFR 65.91(c)(5) and the FAA IAR learning statement codes; FAA-G-8082-19 Inspection Authorization Information Guide (Change 1, July 2024) — IA privileges and Part 65 rules, maintenance rules and records, annual, 100-hour and progressive inspections, major repairs and alterations, airworthiness directives and technical data, and aircraft certification and airworthiness. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Inspection Authorization Privileges (Part 65) about 12% (est.) of the exam
30 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Maintenance Rules and Records (Part 43, Part 91) about 18% (est.) of the exam
45 practice questions in this domain so far
3 Annual, 100-Hour and Progressive Inspections about 18% (est.) of the exam
45 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Major Repairs and Alterations about 20% (est.) of the exam
50 practice questions in this domain so far
5 Airworthiness Directives and Technical Data about 16% (est.) of the exam
40 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Aircraft Certification and Airworthiness about 16% (est.) of the exam
40 practice questions in this domain so far
What you get when you access this exam
Free with your QuizMe account.
Questions built on the IA knowledge areas
Every question is original and tagged to an IA knowledge area — three choices like the real test, with type certificate data sheets, AD excerpts, Form 337 blocks and logbook entries described in text.
Hints and worked solutions
Reveal the rule, reference or formula behind the question when you're stuck. Every answer has the full rationale, and every calculation is solved step by step.
Adaptive practice
Questions steer toward your weakest areas, weighted like the real test, and get harder as you get stronger.
Timed practice tests
Full-length tests at the real pace — 50 questions in 3 hours — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for Part 43, 65 and 91 rules, Form 337 and record-entry requirements, worked case walkthroughs that reason through harder questions step by step, and interactive illustrated guides you explore hotspot by hotspot.
Progress in every area
Each area moves from Not started to Exam ready, so you know exactly what to study next.
Test at home or at a center
The IAR test starts at the FAA, not the test center: meet an inspector at your FSDO, who checks your eligibility and signs your FAA Form 8610-1. Then book the test at a testing center authorized to give it. Remote testing is not offered.
At an authorized test center
- The IAR test is given only at testing centers authorized to administer it — find one through PSI's FAA scheduling site and confirm the fee when you book.
- Bring a current government-issued photo ID and the FAA Form 8610-1 signed by your FSDO.
- Any figures come from the FAA IA computer testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-8D); some prep sources describe the test as open-book with references provided — confirm what's available before test day.
- A basic calculator helps with weight-and-balance questions — check the test center's rules.
Before you book
- Check 65.91 first: A&P ratings held at least 3 years, actively maintaining aircraft for the past 2 years, a fixed base of operations, and the equipment, facilities and data to inspect.
- Your FSDO inspector reviews your documents and signs the 8610-1 — ask how long the authorization is good for, then book promptly.
- If you fail, you must wait at least 90 days and get a new endorsed 8610-1 from the FAA office before you retest; an expired test report isn't accepted.
- In July 2026 the FAA proposed replacing the IA with an Inspection Rating that doesn't expire — it's only a proposal; the current Part 65 rules still apply.
Exam-day game plan
How to walk in ready — and how to pace 50 questions in 3 hours.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the real length and time — 50 questions in 3 hours — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions. Figures that the real test shows from the FAA-CT-8080-8D testing supplement or as embedded images are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA charts.
The week before
- Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
- Know Part 43 Appendices A, B and D cold: major versus minor, Form 337 preparation and disposition, and the scope of an annual or 100-hour inspection.
- Practice reading type certificate data sheets and AD applicability, and redo weight and balance after an equipment change.
- Confirm your appointment, your signed 8610-1 and your photo ID.
During the test
- At over 3½ minutes a question you have time — read each one twice; many hinge on 'may' versus 'must' or on who can approve for return to service.
- For records questions, picture the logbook entry: what was done, the date, the data used, and the signature and certificate number (43.9, 43.11).
- Watch for EXCEPT and NOT — they flip what you're looking for.
- Mark hard questions, answer every one and come back if time allows — there's no penalty for guessing.
Keep your head
- A few nerves sharpen focus. If you freeze, take three slow breaths and reread the question.
- With three choices, ruling out one wrong answer leaves you a coin flip at worst.
- You need 35 of 50 — and missed areas show as codes on your report, a ready-made study list if you need the retest after 90 days.
After you test
- You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and the learning statement codes of any knowledge areas you missed.
- If you pass, return to your FSDO with the report to have the IA issued. Every IA expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year (65.92); to renew for 2 years you show the FSDO in March that you're still eligible and that by March 31 of each year you did one of: one annual inspection for each 90 days held, two major repairs or alterations for each 90 days, a progressive inspection, an approved refresher course of at least 8 hours, or an oral test by an FAA inspector (65.93).
- A July 2026 FAA proposal would turn the IA into an Inspection Rating with no expiration date and a rolling 12-month recent-experience requirement — watch faa.gov for a final rule; until then the current rules apply.
Official sources and further reading
- Inspection Authorization Information Guide (FAA-G-8082-19) ↗The FAA's guide to IA duties, renewal, records and the regulations and advisory circulars IAs work from.
- FAA IAR sample questions (PDF) ↗Official IA sample questions with their learning statement codes.
- 14 CFR 65.91 — Inspection authorization ↗Eligibility, the knowledge test and the 90-day retest wait.
Ready to start?
250 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.
QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA or PSI. All questions are original. Details are summarized from FAA sources (ACS, testing matrix, 14 CFR); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.