Will my flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating list aircraft category and class ratings?

Unlike other flight instructor certificates that display specific aircraft category and class ratings (like airplane single-engine land), your sport pilot flight instructor certificate won't show any such ratings on the certificate itself. Instead, the FAA issues a single flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating, regardless of which aircraft you're qualified to teach in.

Your actual teaching privileges are documented through logbook endorsements rather than printed ratings on the certificate. After you pass your practical test, you'll receive a logbook endorsement specifying the category and class of light-sport aircraft you're authorized to provide instruction in (for example, weight-shift control land or powered parachute).

This matters practically because you must carry both your certificate and logbook endorsements to prove your instructional authority. If you want to teach in additional categories or classes of light-sport aircraft, you'll need additional endorsements in your logbook rather than applying for an amended certificate.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*