Apply for a theoretical examination for aviation personnel (ATPL, MPL, CPL, IR, CB-IR, BIR, FI, FTH)
If you want to obtain a permit for aviation personnel - for example a pilot's license - you must pass a theoretical examination.
Description
As prospective
- pilots or flight technicians
- flight technicians on helicopters operated by the federal and state police forces
you can apply to take a theoretical examination.
This applies to the following licenses and authorizations:
- ATPL (A)
- ATPL (A) Bridge
- CPL (A)
- CPL (A) Bridge
- MPL (A)
- ATPL (H) VFR
- ATPL (H) VFR Bridge
- ATPL (H) IFR
- ATPL (H) IFR Bridge
- CPL (H)
- CPL (H) Bridge
- CPL (As)
- CPL (As) Bridge
- IR
- CB-IR
- BIR
- FI Certificate (A)
- FI Certificate (H)
- Recognition of an FAA-IR rating
- FTH
In addition, you can apply to take the AZF, AZFE, BZF I or BZFE radiotelephony examination required for the license you are applying for in connection with your theory test.
To take a theoretical examination, the Federal Aviation Office requires the following from you
- Personal details
- Details of the training you have completed
- Information on examination subjects and dates
Before you take the theoretical examination, the Federal Aviation Office will check whether you meet all the necessary requirements and have all the required documents.
Online service
Abnahme einer theoretischen Prüfung für Luftfahrtpersonal online beantragen
Description
Use this service online
Payment methods
- SEPA transfer
Trust level
You need an account with password to use this online service (trust level: low).
further information on the level of trust for online services
Identification
- electronic identification using national eID means – software certificate
- electronic identification using national eID means - identity card
Contact person
Required documents
for the application for a theoretical examination:
- Proof of examination recommendation: this must be no more than 12 months old
- Pre-license, if applicable
for repeat examinations:
- renewed proof of the ATO's examination recommendation for the subjects to be repeated
if your training organization does not fall within the area of responsibility of the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt:
- Certificate from the Approved Training Organization (ATO) where the training was conducted
- Proof that the ATO is approved for the training undertaken, attachment to the certificate
- Examination recommendation for the subjects applied for with the date of completion of the training in the respective subject (date of the school-internal final test)
- Proof that the theoretical training was carried out in accordance with the approved training program and to the required extent
- If completing a distance learning course: Proof of the distance learning phase and the required face-to-face instruction
- for training courses that require the possession of an initial license: A copy of the license
- written declaration that the applicant is not currently undergoing an examination in any other country
for the recognition of theoretical knowledge:
- Proof of a theory test passed in accordance with Part-FCL / JAR-FCL
- For pilots with an existing third-country license (ATPL), a notice of approval from the L1 department (LBA) regarding corresponding training facilitations is required
when applying for a radiotelephony examination:
- Scanned copy of the existing aircraft radio certificate (optional)
required for substitution:
- Proof of authorization to represent (power of attorney)
Please refer to the application form to find out which documents are required in your case.
Prerequisites
- You want to take a theoretical examination to obtain the following licenses:
- Pilot license or rating
- Flight technician on helicopters of the federal and state police forces
- You have the necessary examination recommendations and, if applicable, the necessary pre-licenses.
Basis for legal action
- Verordnung (EU) Nummer 1178/2011 der Kommission vom 3. November 2011 zur Festlegung technischer Vorschriften und von Verwaltungsverfahren in Bezug auf das fliegende Personal in der Zivilluftfahrt gemäß der Verordnung Nummer 216/2008 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates
- Delegierte Verordnung (EU) 2020/723 der Kommission vom 4. März 2020 zur Festlegung detaillierter Vorschriften für die Anerkennung von Drittlandzertifizierungen von Piloten und zur Änderung der Verordnung (EU) Nummer 1178/2011
- § 4 Absatz 2 Verordnung über Flugfunkzeugnisse (FlugfunkV) in Verbindung mit Nachrichten für Luftfahrer (NfL) II 44/95 (Verwaltungsvereinbarung)
- § 63 Verordnung über Luftfahrtpersonal (LuftPersV)
- Prüfungsordnung zur Durchführung der Theoretischen Prüfung für Luftfahrtpersonal beim Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
Legal remedy
- Objection
You will find further information on how to lodge an objection in the notification of your application.
Procedure
To apply for a theoretical examination for aviation personnel, please proceed as follows:
- Go to the federal portal and complete the online application.
- You can upload your documents directly.
- After the authority has processed your application, you will receive a summons and, if applicable, a notice of costs. The digitally issued documents are then stored in your mailbox in your federal user account.
- You can retrieve the summons and the cost assessment via the federal user account mailbox. You pay using the options described in the cost assessment notice.
After you have completed the requested theoretical examination, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation will send the results notification to your mailbox via the federal portal. You can retrieve the notification via the federal user account mailbox.
Deadlines
Application deadline: 8 to 12 days (Anträge auf Abnahme einer theoretischen Prüfung müssen bis spätestens Sonntag, acht Tage vor Beginn der gewünschten Prüfungswoche, vollständig beim Referat L2 des Luftfahrt-Bundesamtes (LBA) eingegangen sein. Beispiel: liegt der gewünschte Prüfungstermin in der Kalenderwoche 29, muss die Anmeldung spätestens am Sonntag der Kalenderwoche 27 eingegangen sein. Spätere Anmeldungen werden nicht berücksichtigt.)
Period of validity: 18 months (Sie müssen die Prüfung innerhalb eines Zeitraums von höchstens 18 Monaten vollständig ablegen. Die Prüfungsfrist beginnt ab dem Ende des Kalendermonats, in dem Sie erstmals zu einer Prüfungssitzung angetreten sind.)
Processing time
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) usually sends the summons and, if applicable, a notice of costs for the theoretical examination shortly after the application has been submitted.
The examination results are usually sent via the federal portal on the working day following the last day of your examination session.
Costs
Je nach Art der Prüfung fallen Gebühren in unterschiedlicher Höhe an. Die Kostenverordnung der Luftfahrtverwaltung (LuftkostV) informiert über die genauen Beträge. Sie erhalten einen Bescheid mit QR-Code zur Bezahlung.: Fee from 90,00 EUR to 570,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)
Erneute Ladung wegen Nichtteilnahme an einer Prüfung. Sie erhalten einen Bescheid mit QR-Code zur Bezahlung.: Fee 40,00 EUR
Further Information
Area of validity
Germany-wide
Official approval
Officially approved by Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) on 12.01.2026
Keywords
Theory exams, License, Theory, Request, Pilot, Radiotelephony test