FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings

(a)Responsibilities of the applicant

(1)Applicants shall take the entire set of theoretical knowledge examinations for a specific licence or rating under the responsibility of the same Member State’s competent authority

(2)Applicants shall only take the theoretical knowledge examination when recommended by the declared training organisation (DTO) or the approved training organisation (ATO) responsible for their training, once they have completed the appropriate elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge instruction to a satisfactory standard.

(3)The recommendation by a DTO or an ATO shall be valid for 12 months. If the applicant has failed to attempt at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within this period of validity, the need for further training shall be determined by the DTO or the ATO, based on the needs of the applicant.

(b)Pass standards

(1)A pass in a theoretical knowledge examination paper will be awarded to an applicant achieving at least 75 % of the marks allocated to that paper. No penalty marking shall be applied.

(2)Unless otherwise determined in this Part, an applicant has successfully completed the required theoretical knowledge examination for the appropriate pilot licence or rating if he or she has passed all the required theoretical knowledge examination papers within a period of 18 months counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination.

(3)If an applicant for the ATPL theoretical knowledge examination, or for the issue of a commercial pilot licence (CPL), or an instrument rating (IR) has failed to pass one of the theoretical knowledge examination papers within four attempts, or has failed to pass all papers within either six sittings or within the period mentioned in point (b)(2), he or she shall retake the complete set of theoretical knowledge examination papers.

(4)If applicants for the issue of a light aircraft pilot licence (LAPL), a private pilot licence (PPL), or a basic instrument rating (BIR) have failed to pass one of the theoretical knowledge examination papers within four attempts or have failed to pass all papers within the period mentioned in point (b)(2), they shall retake the complete set of theoretical knowledge examination papers. [applicable until 17 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2024/2076]

(4)If applicants for the issue of a light aircraft pilot licence (LAPL), a private pilot licence (PPL), a basic instrument rating (BIR) or a gyroplane pilot licence (GPL) have failed to pass one of the theoretical knowledge examination papers within four attempts or have failed to pass all papers within the period mentioned in point (b)(2), they shall retake the complete set of theoretical knowledge examination papers. [applicable from 18 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2025/134]

(5)Before retaking the complete set of theoretical knowledge examination papers, applicants shall undertake further training at a DTO or an ATO. The extent and scope of the training needed shall be determined by the DTO or the ATO, based on the needs of the applicants.

(c)Validity period

(1)The successful completion of the theoretical knowledge examinations will be valid:

(i)for the issue of a light aircraft pilot licence or a private pilot licence, for a period of 24 months; [applicable until 17 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2024/2076] for the issue of a light aircraft pilot licence, a private pilot licence or a gyroplane pilot licence, for a period of 24 months; [applicable from 18 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2025/134]

(ii)for the issue of a commercial pilot licence, a multi-crew pilot licence or an instrument rating (IR), for a period of 36 months;

(iii)for the issue of a basic instrument rating (BIR), for an unlimited duration. The periods in paragraphs (i) and (ii) shall be counted from the day on which the pilots have successfully completed the theoretical knowledge examination, in accordance with paragraph (b)(2).

(2)The completion of the airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) theoretical knowledge examinations will remain valid for the issue of an ATPL for a period of 7 years from the last validity date of:

(i)an IR entered in the licence; or

(ii)in the case of helicopters, a helicopter’s type rating entered in that licence.