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The Pilots Desk

How to Get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Get paid to fly: the hours, training and tests for the FAA Commercial Pilot certificate.

What it allows

A Commercial Pilot certificate lets you fly for compensation or hire (subject to the operating rules and any additional ratings).

Requirements (61.129)

  • At least 18 years old; hold a second-class medical.
  • 250 hours total time, including 100 hours PIC, 50 hours cross-country, and specific solo/training cross-countries, night time, and complex or technically-advanced-aircraft time.
  • Master the commercial maneuvers — chandelles, lazy eights, eights-on-pylons and steep spirals — to precise standards.

The tests

A commercial knowledge test and a checkride flown to tighter tolerances than the private.

Career path

Many new commercial pilots add a flight-instructor certificate to build hours by teaching, then move toward charter, aerial survey, banner-tow or airline jobs.

General, US-focused guidance for reference and training only — confirm current requirements with the FAA or your local civil aviation authority before relying on it. Last reviewed June 2, 2026.