The short answer

MCE / MIE are administrative conversions under 14 CFR 61.73. Your military qualification + the FAA knowledge test is the eligibility; the DPE verifies and signs. No additional checkride. $200 flat.

What MCE and MIE actually are

The FAA recognizes U.S. military pilot and instructor credentials under 14 CFR 61.73. The conversion is administrative, not a new practical test. Two distinct pathways:

Both are issued by a DPE in an administrative video appointment.

Many military pilots pursue both — MCE first to get the commercial certificate, then MIE to add the CFI.

Who's eligible

Per §61.73 and FAA guidance, you're eligible if you:

The one reg-level disqualifier, straight from §61.73(a): a pilot who was removed from flying status for lack of proficiency, or because of a disciplinary action involving aircraft operations, cannot use the military competency pathway. Everything else — years since separation, branch, airframe — is a documentation question, not a bar.

Instrument rating: §61.73(d) adds it in the same action when your Armed Forces record shows you passed a military instrument proficiency check in the category and are instrument-qualified to fly Federal airways. Most MCE applicants leave with commercial + instrument together.

The FAA military competency test — MCN and MCI

The knowledge test is the one thing you complete before the appointment, at any FAA (PSI) testing center. Two tests, one per pathway:

Test results are valid for 24 calendar months. There's no endorsement or eligibility prerequisite to sit for either test — but passing it doesn't make you eligible by itself; the military record does. Book the test first, then submit the contact form: the appointment can usually be scheduled the same week your result is in hand.

Find your branch or airframe

Same regulation for everyone; the paperwork and the type ratings differ. Each page has the document checklist for that branch and says straight whether your airframe carries a civilian type rating.

Air Force (USAF / AFRC / ANG)

Form 8, and the UPT memorandum that replaces it.

Navy & Marine Corps

NATOPS Evaluation Report (OPNAV 3710/7) and friends.

Coast Guard

Flight log book with instrument qualification recorded.

Army / helicopter

Rotorcraft-helicopter, instrument-helicopter, S-70 and BV-234 type ratings.

Military instructor → CFI (MIE)

§61.73(g) — IPs and flight examiners, no practical test.

C-130

L-382 type rating for every Herc except the J.

KC-135 / KC-46

B-707/720 for the KC-135; no civilian type for the KC-46.

C-17

No civilian type rating — what you get instead.

P-8

No B-737 from P-8 time; C-40A and P-3 records help.

Watch: the IACRA application, step by step

Two minutes, start to finish. Leave every hours box blank.

How the appointment runs

The video appointment is typically about 20 minutes:

  1. Identity verification
  2. Review of military service-record documentation
  3. Confirmation of valid medical
  4. Knowledge test result verification
  5. IACRA application sign-off
  6. Issuance of temporary certificate

Temporary certificate is valid immediately. Permanent plastic arrives in 4–6 weeks.

Which military aircraft carry an FAA type rating

§61.73(e): a type rating goes on the certificate only when the FAA lists a comparable civilian type. The list is FAA Order 8900.1, Figure 5-88 (airplane table revised 09/14/2026) — the "Equivalent Military Designation" column. The military rows:

I check your exact model and series against the current revision before the call — the FAA revises this figure several times a year.

More than one category or class

Each rating stands on its own evidence under §61.73(b)(3): a military pilot and instrument proficiency check in that category, class and type, or 10 hours of pilot time as a military pilot in it. That second path is a low bar, and it's how a fleet helicopter or multi-engine pilot adds airplane single-engine from primary-training time in the T-6 or T-34: send an official record of those hours (your service's flight-records hours summary or log book pages — not a personal logbook alone). The 10 hours can't be the only basis for the certificate; your later qualification in another airframe carries that part.

Two examples. A C-130 pilot with 10 hours of T-6 in their records walks away with commercial airplane multi-engine and single-engine, instrument, and the L-382 type rating. An F-16 pilot is already single-engine, so the F-16 check itself gives commercial airplane single-engine.

What you'll need

After contact form submission, you'll receive a Military Competency document checklist:

Air Force pilots — no Form 8? That's normal now. The Air Force stopped issuing AF Form 8s to graduating UPT students. In its place, your flying training squadron admin office issues a "Memorandum for Flight Standards District Office" — ask for it by name, ideally before you PCS. The FAA accepts that memorandum (FAA Order 8900.1 lists it as an acceptable Air Force record), and it processes here exactly like a Form 8. Your aeronautical orders still cover the wings/rating side; the memorandum covers the checkride side.

Active-duty / deployed pilots

Daytona DPE has processed military competency conversions for pilots stationed CONUS, OCONUS, and on deployment. Time zones factor into scheduling but a stable internet connection is the only physical requirement. If you're navigating a deployment timeline, mention it in the contact form — same-week appointments are usually possible.

Two more military-only fixes, same appointment

Pricing — $200 flat

$200 flat. Paid by card through a secure Stripe link once you're qualified, before the appointment. No charge if you're determined not yet eligible during the appointment.

More on pricing → View pricing details

Free resources

IACRA Walkthrough — Military Competency / MCE (PDF)

Step-by-step IACRA application to convert military pilot quals to commercial per 14 CFR §61.73.

IACRA Walkthrough — Military Instructor / MIE (PDF)

Step-by-step IACRA application to convert military instructor pilot quals to CFI per 14 CFR §61.73.

Related services

Ground Instructor Certificate

Many transitioning military pilots stack AGI/IGI for civilian instruction.

R-ATP to Unrestricted ATP

Separate process for upgrading an R-ATP to unrestricted ATP.

About the Examiner

Thomas Dowell — military aviation background.

Transitioning to civilian aviation?

Submit the contact form below — your document page opens the moment you submit, same-week appointment available.

Schedule MCE or MIE →

Frequently asked

How does military competency (MCE / MIE) work with Daytona DPE, and what does it cost?
It costs $200 flat and it is fully virtual: a 20-minute video appointment with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, from anywhere in the world, with no checkride. For the commercial conversion (MCE) you bring a government photo ID, an unexpired MCN knowledge test report, official military records showing your pilot rating and a passed pilot and instrument proficiency check, and a started IACRA application with your FTN; the instructor conversion (MIE) adds the MCI test and your instructor-pilot records. Every branch qualifies, airplane or helicopter. Documents are checked before the call, and the temporary certificate is issued at the end of the appointment — usually the same week your documents are complete.
Can Army helicopter pilots use §61.73?
Yes. §61.73 works by category and class, so a current or former Army aviator gets an FAA commercial certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating, instrument-helicopter when the records show it, and a type rating where the FAA lists a civilian equivalent (UH-60 series to S-70, CH-47 to BV-234). Same MCN test, same $200 virtual appointment. Details: Army / helicopter.
Can a drone (RPA) pilot use §61.73?
Only on a manned-aircraft pilot rating. §61.73 converts a military pilot rating in a category and class of manned aircraft. FAA guidance separates dual-rated pilots, who graduated military manned-aircraft pilot training as well as RPA training, from RPA-only graduates, who never received a manned-aircraft pilot designation. A dual-rated MQ-9 or RQ-4 pilot converts on the manned rating; an RPA-only rating and RPA-only time do not.
Can a navigator, WSO or CSO use §61.73?
Not on that rating. §61.73 is for rated military pilots, and a navigator, weapon systems officer or combat systems officer rating is not a pilot rating. If you also hold a military pilot rating, that rating is the one that converts.
What's the difference between MCE and MIE?
MCE (Military Competency Exam) converts military pilot credentials into an FAA Commercial Pilot certificate. MIE (Military Instructor Competency Exam) converts military flight instructor credentials into an FAA Flight Instructor certificate. Many military pilots pursue both — MCE first, then MIE — to finish with a complete civilian pilot and instructor set.
Do I need to take a checkride?
No. Military Competency conversions are administrative actions under 14 CFR 61.73. The qualifying credentials are your military qualification record and the FAA MCE or MIE knowledge test result. No additional practical test is required.
What is the FAA military competency test?
The MCN (Military Competence) knowledge test — 50 questions, 70% to pass, taken at any FAA/PSI testing center, valid 24 calendar months. Per §61.73(b)(2) it covers commercial pilot privileges and limitations, air traffic and general operating rules, and accident reporting rules. The instructor conversion uses the MCI (Military Competence Instructor) test instead, covering the §61.185(a) flight-instructor knowledge areas.
Do I get an instrument rating with the MCE?
Usually, yes. Under §61.73(d), the instrument rating is added in the same administrative action when your Armed Forces record shows a passed military instrument proficiency check in the aircraft category and instrument qualification to fly Federal airways. Most military pilots leave the appointment with commercial + instrument together.
Who is NOT eligible under §61.73?
The regulation names exactly one bar: a pilot removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or because of a disciplinary action involving aircraft operations. Time since separation is not a bar — veterans qualify on their records — and neither is branch or airframe, as long as the category/class evidence is there.
I'm a veteran with credentials from 10+ years ago. Am I still eligible?
Generally yes, provided your military service-record documentation is available and the FAA knowledge test result is current (within 24 calendar months). Eligibility doesn't expire just because you've been out — it depends on your records. Submit the contact form and we'll review.
Can active duty / deployed pilots do this virtually?
Yes. Daytona DPE conducts MCE and MIE conversions for pilots worldwide. Active, reserve, and veteran. Time zones factor into scheduling but the appointment runs the same regardless of location.
What military documentation do I need?
Your service record showing pilot or instructor qualification (DD-214 or service-record equivalent for veterans; current service record for active/reserve), most recent military flight evaluation (Form 8, Form 1801, CNATRA equivalent, etc.), and ID. Recent Air Force UPT graduates: the Air Force no longer issues Form 8s at graduation — your flying training squadron's Memorandum for Flight Standards District Office replaces it and is FAA-accepted. Detailed checklist sent after contact form submission.
I'm a recent Air Force UPT grad and never got an AF Form 8. Am I stuck?
No. The Air Force stopped issuing AF Form 8s to graduating UPT students. Your flying training squadron admin office issues a "Memorandum for Flight Standards District Office" in its place — request it by name, ideally before you PCS. FAA Order 8900.1 lists that memorandum as an acceptable Air Force record, so it processes exactly like a Form 8. Your aeronautical orders alone are not enough — they prove your rating, and the memorandum proves your checkrides.
Can I add airplane single-engine from my T-6 training time?
Yes. §61.73(b)(3)(ii) needs only 10 hours of pilot time as a military pilot in a U.S. military aircraft of that category and class — not PIC time, and no separate check. Send an official record of your T-6 or T-34 hours with your package. Your fleet proficiency check carries the rest of the conversion.
Which military aircraft get an FAA type rating?
Only those FAA Order 8900.1 Figure 5-88 lists with a comparable civilian type (§61.73(e)): for example C-130 (not the J) to L-382, KC-135/E-3/E-6 to B-707/720, C-40A to B-737, C-26 to SA-227, P-3 to L-188, the H-60 series to S-70, and CH-47D to BV-234. The C-17, C-5, P-8, KC-46, C-130J and MV-22 have none.
IACRA let me submit without flight hours. Is that a problem?
No. Leave the hours blank on a military competency application; your official military records carry the time.
Can I use my military medical?
A current medical is required. For active and reserve pilots with a current military medical, yes — the military medical is recognized under §61.23 for MCE/MIE purposes. Veterans need an FAA medical of the appropriate class. Your document page confirms which applies to you.
Do I need to come to Florida?
No. All MCE and MIE conversions are conducted virtually. Daytona DPE has processed conversions for pilots worldwide.
How much does it cost?
$200 flat. Paid by card through a secure Stripe link once you're qualified, before the appointment.
When does the permanent certificate arrive?
The temporary certificate is issued at the end of the appointment and is valid immediately. The permanent plastic certificate is mailed by the FAA within 4 to 6 weeks.