How Long Does It Take to Get an AME License in Canada? (2026 Timeline)

The Short Answer

For most candidates, the total time to earn an AME license in Canada ranges from 2.5 to 5 years, depending on your chosen pathway. Here is the breakdown at a glance:

These timelines assume you are studying for and passing your Transport Canada written exams while accumulating practical experience — a strategy that saves significant time compared to completing all exams after your experience is done.

Step-by-Step Timeline Breakdown

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements — 0 to 3 months

Before you can begin formal training or start logging apprenticeship hours, you must meet Transport Canada's basic requirements. This includes obtaining a Medical Certificate (Category 1 or 3), which requires a scheduled appointment with a Transport Canada-approved medical examiner. Most candidates can complete this step in 1 to 3 months, depending on appointment availability and any follow-up medical documentation required.

While waiting, you can begin familiarizing yourself with the TP14038E syllabus and the general structure of the AME licensing process. The earlier you understand what is ahead, the smoother each subsequent step will be.

Step 2: Complete Training or Start Apprenticeship — 18 to 48 months

This is the longest phase of the licensing process, and your choice here makes the biggest difference to your total timeline.

College Pathway: 18 to 24 months

Transport Canada-approved college programs in aviation maintenance typically run 18 to 24 months. These programs offer a structured curriculum aligned with the TP14038E syllabus and provide credits that can reduce your required practical experience period. Institutions like BCIT, Canadore College, Centennial College, and Northern Lights College all offer approved programs. The major advantage of this route is the experience credit: graduates may qualify for a reduced 24-month practical experience period instead of the standard 48 months.

Apprenticeship Pathway: 48 months

If you go directly into an apprenticeship under a licensed AME, Transport Canada requires a minimum of 48 months of documented practical experience. During this time, you work in a maintenance environment, log your hours, and learn the trade hands-on. While the total clock time is longer, you are earning a salary from day one rather than paying tuition — a significant financial consideration for many candidates.

For a full breakdown of each pathway and how to choose between them, see our AME career guide Canada.

Step 3: Pass Written Exams — 6 to 18 months (can run concurrently)

The five Transport Canada written exams — CARs, Standards, Airframe, Powerplant, and Electrical — are often studied for and completed DURING the experience phase rather than after it. This is the single most important time-saving strategy available to AME candidates.

Each exam requires focused study time. Candidates using traditional textbook methods typically spend 3 to 6 months per exam, meaning completing all five could take 18 months or more. However, candidates using adaptive study tools often compress this timeline significantly:

• CARs Exam — Heavily regulatory. Expect 6 to 10 weeks of dedicated study for most candidates.
• Standards Exam — Similar to CARs in density but narrower in scope. 4 to 8 weeks.
• Airframe Exam — Broad technical scope (structures, systems, hydraulics). 8 to 12 weeks.
• Powerplant Exam — Engine theory and maintenance. 6 to 10 weeks.
• Electrical Exam — Shorter exam but requires understanding of electrical fundamentals. 4 to 8 weeks.

By studying concurrently with practical experience, you can complete all exams within 12 to 18 months while logging your apprenticeship or work hours. Platforms like Sky Licence's AI-powered exam preparation help candidates complete exams faster by identifying weak areas and focusing study time where it matters most.

For pass rates and difficulty levels across each exam, see our AME exam pass rates analysis.

Step 4: Log Practical Experience — 24 to 48 months

As discussed in Step 2, your practical experience period runs concurrently with or after your training. The key point is that Transport Canada requires a minimum of 48 months of experience for candidates without college credit, or 24 months for graduates of approved programs. Your experience must be documented in a Transport Canada-approved logbook and signed by supervising licensed AMEs.

For detailed guidance on maintaining your logbook properly, see our AME apprentice logbook guide.

Step 5: Oral and Practical Exam — 3 to 6 months preparation

Once you have passed all written exams and accumulated the required practical experience, you must pass an oral and practical examination with a Transport Canada inspector. This is often described as the most demanding part of the licensing process because it tests applied knowledge and real-world competence, not just textbook recall.

Most candidates spend 3 to 6 months preparing specifically for this exam. Preparation involves reviewing the TP14038E syllabus, running through mock oral scenarios, and practising common maintenance tasks under simulated exam conditions. Scheduling the exam itself can take 1 to 3 months depending on Transport Canada inspector availability in your region.

Step 6: License Application and Issuance — 1 to 3 months

Once you pass the oral and practical exam, you submit your formal application to Transport Canada. Processing times vary but typically take 1 to 3 months. Your application must include your exam results, certified logbook, proof of training, medical certificate, and application fee. Once approved, Transport Canada issues your AME license and you are officially certified to sign maintenance releases.

How to Accelerate Your Timeline

While the licensing process has regulatory minimums, several strategies can help you move through each phase faster:

• Start studying for exams early — Do not wait until you have finished your practical experience. Begin studying for the CARs and Standards exams during your first year of training or apprenticeship. These exams are knowledge-based and can be passed well before you have completed your experience requirements.
• Use adaptive study tools — Traditional textbook study is slow and inefficient. Adaptive platforms like Sky Licence focus your time on the specific topics where you need the most practice, cutting study time by 40-60% compared to self-study with textbooks alone.
• Choose the college pathway — While college takes 18-24 months of upfront time, the experience credit reduces your total timeline by 12-24 months compared to a full apprenticeship route.
• Parallel-track everything — Study for exams while logging experience. Complete your oral/practical exam prep before your experience period fully ends. Avoid sequential processing wherever possible.
• Prepare for the oral exam early — Start running practice scenarios with senior AMEs at your workplace as soon as you begin your experience. The more familiar you are with oral exam expectations, the less dedicated prep time you will need at the end.

Real-World Example Timelines

Scenario A: College Graduate, M2 Rating — ~3.5 years

• Months 1-20: Complete approved college program at BCIT or Canadore
• Months 12-30: Begin studying for and passing written exams (CARs, Standards, Airframe, Powerplant, Electrical)
• Months 20-44: Start M2 apprenticeship with reduced 24-month experience credit
• Months 40-46: Oral and practical exam preparation and testing
• Month 47: License application and issuance

Total: ~3 years 11 months — includes overlap between exam study and experience logging.

Scenario B: Full Apprenticeship, M1 Rating — ~5 years

• Months 1-48: Full-time apprenticeship at a general aviation maintenance shop
• Months 6-42: Study for and pass all five written exams during apprenticeship
• Months 44-50: Oral and practical exam preparation and testing
• Month 51: License application and issuance

Total: ~4 years 3 months — drawn out by full 48-month experience requirement, but accelerated by parallel exam study.

Scenario C: Blended College + Concurrent Apprenticeship — ~3 years

• Months 1-22: Complete approved college program while working part-time at an MRO
• Months 8-30: Complete all written exams (accelerated with AI study tools)
• Months 22-40: Full-time apprenticeship (reduced to 18-24 months with college credits)
• Months 38-44: Oral and practical exam
• Month 45: License issued

Total: ~3 years 9 months — the most efficient path for motivated candidates.

Factors That Can Delay Your Timeline

Being aware of common delays helps you plan around them:

• Exam scheduling — Testing centre availability varies by region. In high-demand areas, you may need to book exams 4-8 weeks in advance.
• Exam failures — If you fail an exam, you must wait 30 days before retaking it. Multiple failures can add months to your timeline. Thorough preparation is essential.
• Logbook errors — Transport Canada may reject incomplete or improperly documented logbooks. Have your logbook reviewed by an experienced AME before submitting.
• Oral exam backlog — Transport Canada inspector availability for oral exams varies. In some regions, the wait for an appointment can be 2-3 months.
• Personal circumstances — Work schedules, family obligations, and financial constraints can all affect how quickly you move through the process.

M1 vs M2: Does the Rating Affect Timeline?

Both M1 and M2 ratings require the same minimum 48 months of practical experience (or 24 months with college credits). The written exams are largely similar, though the Airframe and Powerplant exams for M2 candidates may include more turbine-specific content. The choice of rating does not significantly affect total timeline, but it does affect the types of employers and aircraft you will work with during your experience phase — which can indirectly affect your timeline if you have difficulty finding appropriate apprenticeship positions.

For a detailed comparison of the two ratings, including scope, career implications, and exam differences, see our M1 vs M2 AME rating guide.

How Sky Licence Helps You Move Faster

The single biggest controllable factor in your AME licensing timeline is how quickly you pass the five written exams. Traditional study methods — reading textbooks, taking handwritten notes, and creating your own practice tests — are time-intensive and inefficient. Sky Licence's AI-powered platform gives you a measurable speed advantage:

• Adaptive learning — The AI identifies your weak areas and generates questions at calibrated difficulty levels, focusing your study time where it has the most impact.
• Full TP14038E coverage — Every topic from all five exams is represented in the question bank, so you never waste time studying material that will not appear on the test.
• Real-time feedback — Every question includes a detailed explanation with regulatory references. You learn why each answer is correct, not just which answer to pick.
• Performance analytics — Track your progress across every exam domain and learning objective. Always know exactly how ready you are for each exam.
• Exam simulations — Timed practice exams build speed and confidence, so you walk into the testing centre knowing what to expect.

Candidates using Sky Licence consistently report reducing their total exam preparation time by 40-60% compared to self-study with textbooks alone. In a process where every month saved gets you closer to your license and a full-time AME salary, that efficiency makes a real difference.

Start your AME exam preparation with Sky Licence →