Commercial Pilot Certificate – Military Competency

Convert your military pilot qualifications into an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate through an efficient, structured administrative process. Valor Flight Standards ensures your documentation meets FAA requirements before submission to prevent delays.

The Process - Before you submit, verify your eligibility

Steps

1. Meet Military Qualification / Competency Requirements

2. Take and Pass the FAA MCN written test with a 70% or greater score

3. Complete IACRA application

4. Submit Your Application, MCN Test Results, and Required Documents

Step 1

To qualify for an FAA certificate under Military Competency (14 CFR 61.73), applicants must have graduated from a U.S. Armed Forces pilot training program and been awarded an aeronautical designation as a military pilot or instructor.

Acceptable qualifications vary by service but generally include:

Air Force / Air National Guard / Air Force Reserve

Completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) (e.g., T-6, T-38, T-1 track)
Award of USAF Pilot Wings
Most recent AF Form 8 or equivalent qualification record

Army

Completion of Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) or applicable fixed-wing training
Award of Army Aviator designation
DA Form 759 or equivalent flight record

Navy / Marine Corps

Completion of Naval Flight Training (Primary, Intermediate, Advanced)
Designation as a Naval Aviator
NATOPS evaluation or equivalent qualification record

Coast Guard

Completion of Coast Guard flight training
Designation as a Coast Guard Aviator
Qualification records per Coast Guard aviation manuals

Applicants must provide official documentation verifying qualification

Step 2

You must pass the FAA Military Competency Knowledge Test (MCN) with a score of 70% or higher prior to certificate issuance.

The test is administered by FAA-approved testing providers:

PSI: https://faa.psiexams.com

I highly recommend using Sheppard Air for test preparation, as it is the most efficient and widely used study method for FAA knowledge tests:

https://www.sheppardair.com/milcomp.htm

Your official test results must be provided at the time of application.

Step 3

You must complete an FAA Form 8710-1 through IACRA prior to submission:

Select the appropriate application for:

Commercial Pilot Certificate (Military Competency)
How to fill out the 8710 (thanks sheppard air)

You will receive an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), which is required to process your application.

Ensure all information matches your military and identification records exactly to avoid delays.

Step 4

Once all steps above are complete, submit your information and documents through the form below.

Your submission will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility prior to processing.

If additional verification is required, you will be contacted to schedule a brief virtual meeting.