---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 61.403"
title: "14"
number: "61.403"
heading: "What are the age, language, and pilot certificate requirements for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/61.403"
---

# §61.403. What are the age, language, and pilot certificate requirements for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?


To be eligible for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating you must:

- (a) **Be at least 18 years old.**
- (b) **Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.** If you cannot read, speak, write, and understand English because of medical reasons, the FAA may place limits on your certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of aircraft.
- (c) Hold at least a sport pilot certificate with category and class ratings or privileges, as applicable, that are appropriate to the flight instructor privileges sought.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35218, July 24, 2025]

### Source

Source: Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-44711, 44729, 44903, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.

### Source

Source: Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35218, July 24, 2025]