ASA INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION (IA) EXAM ACTUAL TEST BANK
2026 | CURRENTLY TESTING QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES FOR GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION ELIGIBILITY AND PRIVILEGES
1. What is the basic eligibility requirement for an Inspection Authorization (IA)?
A. Hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both Airframe and
Powerplant ratings
B. Hold an Airframe rating only
C. Hold a Powerplant rating only
D. Hold a repairman certificate
Answer: A
Rationale: To qualify for an IA, you must hold a valid mechanic certificate
with both A and P ratings. A single rating or a repairman certificate does
not meet the requirement.
2. How long must an applicant have held their Airframe and Powerplant
certificate
before applying for an IA?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: The regulations require that the applicant has held both the
airframe and powerplant ratings for a continuous period of at least three
years before applying for an IA.
3. What is the active engagement requirement for IA eligibility?
1
, A. Actively engaged in exercising certificate privileges for at least 1 year
B. Actively engaged in exercising certificate privileges for at least 2 years
immediately preceding application
C. Actively engaged for at least 6 months
D. No active engagement requirement
Answer: B
Rationale: The applicant must have been actively working as a mechanic using
their A&P privileges for the two years immediately before applying. This
ensures they have recent practical experience.
4. What type of test must an IA applicant pass?
A. An oral test only
B. A practical test only
C. A written knowledge test on ability to inspect according to safety
standards
D. No test is required
Answer: C
Rationale: All IA applicants must pass a comprehensive written knowledge test
that covers inspection procedures, airworthiness standards, and the ability
to determine if an aircraft is safe for return to service after major work.
5. What form must be submitted to apply for an IA?
A. FAA Form 337
B. FAA Form 8610-1
C. FAA Form 8130-3
D. FAA Form 8050-1
Answer: B
Rationale: FAA Form 8610-1, "Mechanic's Application for Inspection
Authorization," is the official application form that must be submitted to
the local FSDO.
2
,6. Who determines an applicant's eligibility for the IA Knowledge Test?
A. The applicant themselves
B. An Aviation Safety Inspector at the local FSDO
C. Any certified mechanic
D. The FAA Administrator directly
Answer: B
Rationale: An Aviation Safety Inspector at the Flight Standards District
Office reviews the applicant's certificates, experience, and background to
verify eligibility before authorizing the knowledge test.
7. What are the primary privileges of an IA holder?
A. Inspect and approve for return to service after major repairs or major
alterations, and perform annual or progressive inspections
B. Only perform annual inspections
C. Only approve minor repairs
D. Issue airworthiness certificates
Answer: A
Rationale: An IA has two main privileges: (1) approving major repairs and
major alterations for return to service, and (2) performing annual
inspections or supervising progressive inspections. Issuing airworthiness
certificates is not an IA privilege.
8. When exercising IA privileges, what must the holder keep available for
inspection?
A. Their mechanic certificate only
B. The inspection authorization
C. Their driver's license
D. Their medical certificate
Answer: B
3
, Rationale: While performing IA duties, the holder must have the actual
Inspection Authorization available for review by the aircraft owner, the
mechanic submitting the work, or any FAA inspector.
9. What is the expiration date for an Inspection Authorization?
A. December 31 of each year
B. March 31 of each odd-numbered year
C. June 30 of each even-numbered year
D. September 30 of each year
Answer: B
Rationale: Every IA expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year. This
creates a two-year renewal cycle.
10. Can an IA holder exercise IA privileges if their mechanic certificate is
not current?
A. Yes, the IA is independent
B. No, the holder must hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with
both A&P ratings
C. Yes, for 90 days after expiration
D. Only with FAA approval
Answer: B
Rationale: The IA authority is directly tied to the underlying A&P
certificate. If the mechanic certificate lapses or is suspended, the IA
cannot be used, even if the authorization itself has not expired.
11. What must an IA holder do if they change their fixed base of operation?
A. Nothing; the IA follows the holder
B. Notify the responsible Flight Standards office in writing of the new
base location
C. Surrender the IA
D. Apply for a new IA
4
2026 | CURRENTLY TESTING QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES FOR GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION ELIGIBILITY AND PRIVILEGES
1. What is the basic eligibility requirement for an Inspection Authorization (IA)?
A. Hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both Airframe and
Powerplant ratings
B. Hold an Airframe rating only
C. Hold a Powerplant rating only
D. Hold a repairman certificate
Answer: A
Rationale: To qualify for an IA, you must hold a valid mechanic certificate
with both A and P ratings. A single rating or a repairman certificate does
not meet the requirement.
2. How long must an applicant have held their Airframe and Powerplant
certificate
before applying for an IA?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: The regulations require that the applicant has held both the
airframe and powerplant ratings for a continuous period of at least three
years before applying for an IA.
3. What is the active engagement requirement for IA eligibility?
1
, A. Actively engaged in exercising certificate privileges for at least 1 year
B. Actively engaged in exercising certificate privileges for at least 2 years
immediately preceding application
C. Actively engaged for at least 6 months
D. No active engagement requirement
Answer: B
Rationale: The applicant must have been actively working as a mechanic using
their A&P privileges for the two years immediately before applying. This
ensures they have recent practical experience.
4. What type of test must an IA applicant pass?
A. An oral test only
B. A practical test only
C. A written knowledge test on ability to inspect according to safety
standards
D. No test is required
Answer: C
Rationale: All IA applicants must pass a comprehensive written knowledge test
that covers inspection procedures, airworthiness standards, and the ability
to determine if an aircraft is safe for return to service after major work.
5. What form must be submitted to apply for an IA?
A. FAA Form 337
B. FAA Form 8610-1
C. FAA Form 8130-3
D. FAA Form 8050-1
Answer: B
Rationale: FAA Form 8610-1, "Mechanic's Application for Inspection
Authorization," is the official application form that must be submitted to
the local FSDO.
2
,6. Who determines an applicant's eligibility for the IA Knowledge Test?
A. The applicant themselves
B. An Aviation Safety Inspector at the local FSDO
C. Any certified mechanic
D. The FAA Administrator directly
Answer: B
Rationale: An Aviation Safety Inspector at the Flight Standards District
Office reviews the applicant's certificates, experience, and background to
verify eligibility before authorizing the knowledge test.
7. What are the primary privileges of an IA holder?
A. Inspect and approve for return to service after major repairs or major
alterations, and perform annual or progressive inspections
B. Only perform annual inspections
C. Only approve minor repairs
D. Issue airworthiness certificates
Answer: A
Rationale: An IA has two main privileges: (1) approving major repairs and
major alterations for return to service, and (2) performing annual
inspections or supervising progressive inspections. Issuing airworthiness
certificates is not an IA privilege.
8. When exercising IA privileges, what must the holder keep available for
inspection?
A. Their mechanic certificate only
B. The inspection authorization
C. Their driver's license
D. Their medical certificate
Answer: B
3
, Rationale: While performing IA duties, the holder must have the actual
Inspection Authorization available for review by the aircraft owner, the
mechanic submitting the work, or any FAA inspector.
9. What is the expiration date for an Inspection Authorization?
A. December 31 of each year
B. March 31 of each odd-numbered year
C. June 30 of each even-numbered year
D. September 30 of each year
Answer: B
Rationale: Every IA expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year. This
creates a two-year renewal cycle.
10. Can an IA holder exercise IA privileges if their mechanic certificate is
not current?
A. Yes, the IA is independent
B. No, the holder must hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with
both A&P ratings
C. Yes, for 90 days after expiration
D. Only with FAA approval
Answer: B
Rationale: The IA authority is directly tied to the underlying A&P
certificate. If the mechanic certificate lapses or is suspended, the IA
cannot be used, even if the authorization itself has not expired.
11. What must an IA holder do if they change their fixed base of operation?
A. Nothing; the IA follows the holder
B. Notify the responsible Flight Standards office in writing of the new
base location
C. Surrender the IA
D. Apply for a new IA
4
