Philippine IDs CAAP Airman License: Knowledge Tests, Aviation Medical, Requirements and Fees
Updated October 30, 2026 · 8 min read
The order matters
Get your aviation medical and pass your knowledge and practical tests first. CAAP issues the license only when you submit the complete set, including your Knowledge Test Report and skill test grading sheet.
Your flight school or training organization usually guides you through the permits. Source: CAAP Citizen’s Charter 2024.
- Knowledge test
- ₱140–₱450per subject
- Medical at CAAP
- About ₱2,170typical tests and card
- Issuance
- About 4 daysafter complete papers
- License card
- 5 yearsratings and medical renewed
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) licenses everyone who flies or keeps aircraft flying: student, private, commercial and airline transport pilots, flight and ground instructors, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, air traffic safety electronics personnel, and aircraft maintenance technicians and specialists. This guide follows CAAP’s 2024 Citizen’s Charter.
Which situation applies to you?
I am starting flight school
Get a Class II medical and your student pilot authorization.
I am ready for my written exam
Get a test permit, book the exam online, and request your test report.
I passed my tests
Submit Form 541 or 542 with your documents to CAAP’s Licensing Department.
My medical is due
Renew it at CAAP’s aviation medicine office with your last certificate.
The path to a license
- Aviation medical
A Class I, II or III medical certificate from CAAP’s Office of the Flight Surgeon and Aviation Medicine, depending on your license.
- Training
Ground school, flight time or the course your license requires, at an approved training organization.
- Knowledge (written) test
With a test permit from CAAP’s Licensing and Certification Department, taken at the Airmen Examination Board.
- Practical (skill) test
With a practical test permit and a CAAP-designated examiner.
- License issuance
Submit your application and complete documents to the Licensing and Certification Department.
The aviation medical
| Medical class | Listed for |
|---|---|
| Class I | Commercial pilot, airline transport pilot, flight instructor |
| Class II | Student pilot authorization, private pilot, flight dispatcher |
| Class III | Air traffic controller |
First medical: Form 548, your LCD Form 01-10 or PEK number from the Licensing Department, a valid photo ID and one 2x2 color photo. Renewal: Form 548, your last CAAP medical certificate and a valid photo ID.
| Test at CAAP | Fee |
|---|---|
| Eye exam (visual acuity and color vision) | ₱224 |
| Urinalysis | ₱112 |
| Hgb-Hct (blood) | ₱224 |
| Blood chemistry, as needed | ₱918 |
| Dental exam | ₱224 |
| ECG | ₱280 procedure + ₱100 reading |
| Treadmill stress test, when necessary | ₱1,680 procedure + ₱500 reading |
| Chest X-ray | ₱280 |
| Physical and mental exam | ₱500 |
| Medical card | ₱224 |
| Drug test (non-CAAP employees) and hearing test | Done outside CAAP |
The knowledge test
- Get a test permit
Email form LCD-001 with your e-signature and photo, and your instructor’s endorsement if applicable, to airmen_licensing@caap.gov.ph. The permit is emailed back.
- Book and pay
Register for online scheduling at the Airmen Examination Board and pick a date at aeb.caap.gov.ph, then pay the exam fee. The board also takes up to 50 walk-in examinees a day.
- Take the exam
Bring your permit, official receipt and a government ID. The rating is stamped on your permit.
- Request your Knowledge Test Report
Pay ₱140. You can ask for a temporary report while the original is prepared.
| License or rating | Fee per subject |
|---|---|
| Flight dispatcher | ₱140 |
| RPAS (drone), PPL, AMT, AMS | ₱230 |
| CPL, instrument rating, ATC, ASOL, ATSEP | ₱340 |
| ATPL, MPL, flight or ground instructor, FEL, additional rating | ₱450 |
For the practical test, email form LCD-003A (pilots) or LCD-003B (non-pilots) with your endorsement to pcstd@caap.gov.ph, then arrange the check ride with your assigned examiner.
License issuance
Submit at the Licensing and Certification Department window:
- Application Form 541 (flight crew) or 542 (other than flight crew)
- Copy of your English Language Proficiency certificate and NTC license, where your license requires them
- Certificate of ground school or equipment qualification course
- Certificate of flying time, with actual instrument time if necessary
- Knowledge Test Report, and the skill test grading sheet with flight plan
- Pilot’s logbook
- Foreign applicants: study permit, student visa or work permit, and a passport copy with the immigration stamp
CAAP issues an order of payment; the fee varies by license. CAAP’s charter estimates about 4 days and 5 hours to release. Claim the license with a valid ID, or send a representative with your authorization letter.
Example: A private pilot license candidate
Let’s say you hold a student pilot authorization and have finished your training hours. You pass the PPL knowledge test (₱230 per subject) and pay ₱140 for the test report, then pass your check ride. You submit Form 541 with your ELP and NTC copies, ground school and flying time certificates, test report, grading sheet, logbook, your student pilot authorization and a copy of your Class II medical. About four working days later, your license is ready.
Extra documents by license
| License | Add these |
|---|---|
| Student pilot authorization | Form 541, Class II medical, NBI clearance, notarized parental consent if below 18 |
| Private pilot (PPL) | Student pilot authorization, Class II medical, certificate of pre-solo completion |
| Commercial pilot (CPL) | Current PPL, Class I medical |
| Airline transport pilot (ATPL) | Current CPL with instrument rating, Class I medical, simulator or zero flight time certificate; work permit for foreigners |
| Flight instructor | Current CPL with instrument rating, Class I medical, flight training syllabus |
| Instrument rating | Current pilot license and medical certificate |
| Air traffic controller | Class III medical, training certificate, diploma, transcript of records |
| Flight dispatcher | Class II medical, dispatcher training certificate, diploma, transcript of records |
| Ground instructor | Current aviation medical, lesson plan |
| Aircraft maintenance (AMT or AMS) | Form 542, diploma, transcript, training certificates, test results; AMS also needs practical experience |
The plastic airman license card, introduced under CAAP Memorandum Circular No. 22-12, is valid for five years, but you must keep your ratings and medical certificate current.
Foreign licenses and authentication
- Foreign license holders: apply for validation or conversion with CAAP Form 540.
- Working abroad? CAAP authenticates airman licenses for DFA apostille; the charter lists a ₱93 fee per set.
- Other IDs you will need: an NBI clearance for the student pilot authorization (our sister site has the NBI clearance guide) and a passport for international flying.
Frequently asked questions
How much are the CAAP knowledge tests?
Per subject, under CAAP’s 2024 Citizen’s Charter: ₱230 for PPL, RPAS, AMT and AMS; ₱340 for CPL, instrument rating, ATC, ASOL and ATSEP; ₱450 for ATPL, MPL, flight or ground instructor, FEL and additional ratings; and ₱140 for flight dispatcher. The Knowledge Test Report costs ₱140.
How much is the CAAP aviation medical?
CAAP lists each test separately. For a typical exam at CAAP (eye exam, urinalysis, Hgb-Hct, dental, ECG, chest X-ray, physical and mental exam, and the medical card), the charges add up to about ₱2,170. Blood chemistry (₱918) and a treadmill stress test (₱2,180) are added when needed, and the drug test and hearing test are done outside CAAP.
Which medical class do I need?
CAAP’s requirements list Class II for the student pilot authorization, private pilot license and flight dispatcher, Class I for commercial, airline transport and flight instructor licenses, and Class III for air traffic controllers.
How long does license issuance take?
CAAP’s charter estimates about 4 days and 5 hours from submission of complete requirements to release, most of it for review and signing by CAAP officials.
How long is the airman license card valid?
Under CAAP Memorandum Circular No. 22-12 (2012), the plastic airman license card is valid for five years, subject to the regular renewal of your ratings and medical certificate.
I have a foreign pilot license. Can I fly in the Philippines?
You can apply to CAAP for validation or conversion of a foreign license using Form 540. Foreign applicants also attach their visa or work permit and a passport copy with the immigration stamp.
Official sources and further reading
These are CAAP’s own Citizen’s Charter, memorandum circular and forms checked for this guide. CAAP updates its rules through the Philippine Civil Air Regulations; check CAAP’s website for changes.
- CAAP Citizen’s Charter 2024, 1st Edition (original issuance of airman license, knowledge tests, aviation medical)
- CAAP Memorandum Circular No. 22-12 (2012): Conversion of all airman licenses to a plastic ID card
- CAAP Licensing and Certification Department: knowledge and practical test permits
- CAAP Form 541: Application for airman personal license (flight crew)
- CAAP Form 542: Application for airman personal license (other than flight crew)
- CAAP Form 540: Validation or conversion based on a foreign license
Independent guide: PhilippineIDs.com is not affiliated with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or any Philippine government agency. Information reviewed on October 30, 2026.
