How to get your first aircraft type rating (B1/B2) step by step
Having a B1 or B2 licence is only half of the job: to certify maintenance on a specific aircraft, you need a type rating for it. This guide explains what a type rating is, the three stages to get your first one, how long it takes and how much it can cost.
What is a type rating?
A type rating is an endorsement on your Part-66 licence that says you are qualified to certify maintenance on a specific aircraft type, such as the Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737. Without it, the B1 or B2 licence alone does not let you certify work on that aircraft.
If you don't have your licence yet, start with our B1 guide or our B2 guide.
The three stages of your first type rating
Your first type rating in each licence category has three stages:
- 1
Type course (theory and exam)
Who delivers it: A Part-147 approved training organisation.
What it covers: The aircraft's systems, ending with an examination.
- 2
Practical training (and assessment)
Who delivers it: Also a Part-147 organisation.
What it covers: Consolidates the theory with structured practical work on the aircraft type.
- 3
On-the-job training (OJT)
Who delivers it: A Part-145 maintenance organisation, with a programme approved by the authority that issued your licence.
What it covers: Supervised practical work on real aircraft tasks; a designated assessor certifies at the end that it is complete.
OJT is required only for the first type rating in each licence category or subcategory, under Part-66 (66.A.45(c)). Later type ratings in the same category do not need it. Don't confuse OJT with the practical training of stage 2: they are different things, delivered by different organisations.
Step by step
- Hold your licence. Get your B1 or B2 first. If you are still preparing, read our B1 guide or B2 guide.
- Choose your aircraft type. Look at what employers ask for. Job offers usually name the type rating: for example, the A320 family or the Embraer 170/190.
- Take the type course at a Part-147 organisation. Check that the school holds a valid Part-147 approval.
- Complete the practical training and its assessment.
- Complete the OJT, if it is your first type rating in that category.
- Apply for the endorsement. The type training must have been started and completed within the 3 years before you apply, so don't let time pass between the course and your application.
Keep in mind that B1 and B2 are separate: if you hold the A320 type rating in your B1 category and later want it in your B2 category, you will have to complete OJT for the B2 category as well.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
It depends on the aircraft type and the organisation. As a reference, an Airbus A320 NEO type course published in the training courses section of TechlogMRO costs €2,950, with around 31 days of theory and 11 days of practical training, and does not include the OJT. Many employers pay for the type rating, while others prefer candidates who already have it, so ask before you pay for it yourself. If the employer pays, it usually comes with a bonding agreement of around 2 years: if you leave before it ends, you will normally have to repay the course price plus expenses. Read the terms before you sign.
Job offers on TechlogMRO list the type ratings they require. Two examples published in November 2026: a permanent B1 position on the A320 family in Spain, and a freelance B1 contract on the Embraer 170/190 in the Netherlands. Check the freelance calendar and the permanent offers to see which type ratings are in demand right now.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the practical training of the type course with the OJT: you need both for your first type rating.
- Letting more than 3 years pass between the type course and your endorsement application.
- Choosing a school without checking that it holds a valid Part-147 approval.
- Assuming a type rating on your B1 carries over to your B2: the first type in each category needs its own OJT.
- Paying for a type course without asking whether the employer will cover it.
Frequently asked questions
Take the next step with TechlogMRO
Create your profile on TechlogMRO. Companies can find you by filtering by licence and type ratings, and you can browse permanent job offers, freelance work in the calendar and training courses published by specialist organisations.
Sign up for free and let opportunities come to you. Looking for a type course? Compare the training courses published by specialist organisations.