The Federal Aviaiton Administration has released a new notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) concerning inspection authorization (IA) currently held by some A&P mechanics. Here is what the NPRM says:
“FAA proposes to amend the regulations for certificated mechanics by replacing the inspection authorization with an inspection rating on a mechanic’s certificate, similar to the existing airframe and powerplant ratings. The inspection rating would carry the same privileges and limitations as the inspection authorization but would not require renewal or have an expiration date, consistent with the other mechanic ratings. As a result, FAA proposes to require certificated mechanics with inspection ratings to complete rolling recent experience activities, maintained independently, to exercise the privileges of their rating, rather than the current requirements of presenting evidence of renewal activities each March of every odd-numbered year. These proposed changes are intended to align mechanic privileges, which would streamline and simplify the process for maintaining inspection privileges, increase FAA efficiency by reducing on-demand work tasks, and save critical hours for safety-focused missions. These proposed changes would be deregulatory since they would reduce the paperwork and resource burdens linked to complying with the existing regulations for both industry and FAA.
Comments are requested on or before August 31, 2026 and can be sent using any of the following methods:
Docket Number FAA-2026-6671
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
- Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 5th Floor (W58-213), Washington, DC 20590-0001.
- Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W58-213 of the West Building 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
- Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
This NPRM is a significant administrative modernization of the FAA’s mechanic certification system—not a major change in what mechanics are allowed to do. Its primary goal is to eliminate the current biennial renewal process for Inspection Authorization (IA) holders and replace it with a permanent Inspection Rating (IR) that functions more like existing Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings. So instead of an Inspection Authorization, mechanics would receive a permanent Inspection Rating (IR) added directly to their mechanic certificate.
Rather than renewing every two years, mechanics would have to maintain rolling recent experience.
Instead of proving every two years that they’ve met activity requirements, they would simply need to maintain enough qualifying inspection activity or approved training to exercise the privileges of the rating. This shifts the emphasis from paperwork every two years to continuous currency. FAA says the proposal aims to reduce administrative burden while maintaining the same level of safety oversight.