The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) are not just for the private pilot. The FAA has built an ACS for nearly every certificate and rating, each defining exactly what you must know and do to pass. This guide explains the full ACS family, how they are structured, and which one you need at each step of your flying.
Part of our Learn to Fly library. The ACS is the standard behind every FAA knowledge test and checkride. PilotMall.com publishes the official FAA ACS guide for each airplane certificate and rating, linked below.
What the ACS is, and what it replaced
The Airman Certification Standards replaced the older Practical Test Standards (PTS). Where the PTS listed only the tasks and tolerances for the checkride, the ACS ties together three things for every task: the knowledge you must have, the risk management you must demonstrate, and the skill you must fly to standard. The same document now drives both the knowledge (written) test and the practical test, which is why studying against the ACS is the most efficient way to prepare. A companion document, FAA-G-ACS-2, explains how the FAA writes and uses the standards. The conversion is nearly complete, but a few practical tests still use the PTS format, most notably the flight instructor instrument (CFII) rating, which uses FAA-S-8081-9E.
The three tests every checkride builds on
Whatever certificate you are pursuing, the ACS drives the same sequence: a knowledge (written) test, then a practical test made up of an oral exam and a flight test. For a step-by-step walkthrough of each, see our private pilot guides to the written exam, the oral exam, and the checkride, plus how to use practice tests.
The ACS for each certificate and rating
Each ACS shares the same structure but covers a different certificate. Here are the ones most pilots will meet, in the usual order you earn them.
Private Pilot (FAA-S-ACS-6)
The first ACS most pilots use, covering the private pilot airplane certificate. The current revision is FAA-S-ACS-6C, effective May 31, 2024. See our full private pilot ACS and checkride guide, including the written exam, oral exam, and checkride.
Instrument Rating (FAA-S-ACS-8)
The standards for the instrument rating, currently FAA-S-ACS-8C. It governs the instrument knowledge test and the instrument checkride, including approaches, holding, and partial-panel work. See our instrument rating guide.
Commercial Pilot (FAA-S-ACS-7)
The standards for the commercial pilot airplane certificate, currently FAA-S-ACS-7B. It raises the precision tolerances from the private level and adds the commercial maneuvers, such as chandelles, lazy eights, and eights on pylons. See our commercial pilot guide.
Flight Instructor (FAA-S-ACS-25)
The FAA moved the flight instructor (CFI) certificate to an ACS in 2024 with FAA-S-ACS-25, replacing the old instructor PTS. It adds the teaching and fundamentals-of-instruction elements to the same knowledge, risk, and skill framework. See becoming a flight instructor.
ATP, Sport Pilot, and Remote Pilot
The Airline Transport Pilot certificate and type ratings, the sport pilot certificate, and the Remote Pilot (small drone, Part 107) certificate each have their own ACS as well. The structure is the same: know it, manage the risk, and fly or operate to the standard.
How to read an ACS code
Every task element carries a code so you can trace it. For example, PA.I.B.K1 breaks down as: PA (Private Pilot Airplane), I (Area of Operation, here Preflight Preparation), B (the Task within it), K1 (the first Knowledge element). Risk-management elements use R and skill elements use S. When you miss a question on the knowledge test, your score report lists the ACS codes for the areas you missed, and your examiner is required to revisit those during the oral.
The official ACS guides
What you'll need
The official FAA ACS guide for each airplane certificate and rating, all from PilotMall.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the ACS and the PTS?
The ACS replaced the Practical Test Standards. It adds knowledge and risk-management elements to the skill tasks the PTS used to list, and it links the written test and the practical test to one document.
Is there an ACS for every certificate?
Nearly. The FAA has ACS documents for private, instrument, commercial, ATP, flight instructor, sport pilot, and remote pilot, among others. A few practical tests still use the older PTS, such as the flight instructor instrument (CFII) rating (FAA-S-8081-9E).
Which ACS do I need for my checkride?
The one matching the certificate or rating you are pursuing, such as FAA-S-ACS-6 for private pilot airplane or FAA-S-ACS-8 for the instrument rating.
What does an ACS code like PA.I.B.K1 mean?
It identifies a specific element: the certificate (PA), the Area of Operation (I), the Task (B), and the element type and number (K1, a knowledge item). Your knowledge test report lists the codes you missed.