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Pilot — PPL/CPL/ATP
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
No (FAA Only)
State License Required
40 hrs (35 Part 141)
PPL Min Hours
250 hrs
CPL Min Hours
1,500 hrs
ATP Min Hours
$175
Written Exam Fee
$10,000-$17,000
PPL Training Cost
FAA Written Exam (Knowledge Test)
$175
FAA knowledge exam at PSI testing center — same fee regardless of certificate/rating
Checkride / DPE Fee
$600-$1,200
Designated Pilot Examiner fee; varies by examiner, location, and certificate type. Not regulated by FAA.
FAA Medical Exam
$100-$200
Aviation Medical Examiner fee; 1st Class exams typically cost more than 3rd Class
Student Pilot Certificate
Free (no charge)
Applied for via IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) at no cost
PPL Total Training Cost
$10,000-$17,000
Estimated total PPL training cost in Nevada including aircraft rental, instructor fees, ground school, and supplies. Most students require 60-80 hours to complete.
All pilot certification is federal — the FAA is the sole authority under 14 CFR Part 61
VerifiedFAA Regulated
Yes — 100% Federal
Student Pilot Min Age
16 for other than glider or balloon; 14 for glider or balloon
Private Pilot (PPL)
Age 17+
40 hours total (Part 61) or 35 hours (Part 141); 20 hours flight training with instructor; 10 hours solo
Commercial Pilot (CPL)
Age 18+
250 hours total aeronautical experience; instrument rating required for airplane CPL
Airline Transport (ATP)
Age 23 for unrestricted ATP; 21 for restricted ATP (ATP-r) per §61.160
1,500 hours total time (1,000 for Part 141 graduates with bachelor's degree; restricted ATP at 750 hours for military, 1,000-1,250 for institutional authority graduates)
Instrument Rating
Required for CPL (airplane)
50 hours cross-country PIC time, 40 hours actual/simulated instrument time
Certificate Progression
Student Pilot Certificate → Private Pilot License (PPL) → Instrument Rating → Commercial Pilot License (CPL) → Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) available after CPL.
Pilot certification is regulated exclusively at the federal level by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under 14 CFR Part 61. No state issues pilot licenses. All pilots must pass an FAA written knowledge exam and a practical test (checkride) administered by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). These requirements apply uniformly across all 50 states.
Not sure if you need a pilot license? Check whether your state requires one.
Medical certification is required to exercise pilot privileges
Verified1st Class Medical
ATP Privileges
Required for ATP privileges; valid 12 calendar months if under 40, 6 calendar months if 40 or older
2nd Class Medical
Commercial Privileges
Required for commercial privileges; valid 12 calendar months
3rd Class Medical
Private Pilot Privileges
Required for private pilot privileges; valid 60 calendar months if under 40, 24 calendar months if 40 or older
BasicMed
Alternative to 3rd Class
Confirmed per 14 CFR Part 68 and FAA BasicMed page. Physical exam every 48 months with state-licensed physician; online AOPA medical education course every 24 months; must hold valid state driver's license. Aircraft limitations: 6,000 lbs MTOW or less, no more than 6 occupants (including pilot), at or below 18,000 feet MSL, 250 KIAS or less.
FAA medical certificates are issued by Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) designated by the FAA. Medical exams typically cost $100-$200. BasicMed, available since 2017, allows eligible pilots to use their state driver's license medical instead of a traditional FAA medical certificate, with certain aircraft and operational limitations.
State-specific aviation environment and resources
Mostly verifiedState Pilot License Required
No — FAA Only
VerifiedFAA FSDO(s)
Las Vegas FSDO (LAS) / Reno FSDO (RNO)
VerifiedFlight Schools
Growing flight school community in Las Vegas and Reno. Excellent VFR weather supports year-round training.
State Aviation Department
Nevada Department of Transportation — Aviation Section
Airspace Considerations
Nellis AFB and extensive military training airspace (Nevada Test and Training Range). Las Vegas Class B. High-density altitude training. Desert environment.
While pilot certification is entirely federal, each state has unique aviation characteristics including airspace complexity, flight school availability, weather patterns, and military airspace that affect the training experience. State aviation departments handle airport infrastructure and development but have no authority over pilot certification.
Estimated training and exam costs for Nevada
Mostly verifiedPrivate Pilot (PPL)
$10,000-$17,000
Commercial Pilot (CPL)
$30,000-$80,000+
Airline Transport (ATP)
$80,000-$100,000+
Written Exam Fee
$175
Checkride (DPE Fee)
$600-$1,200
Medical Exam Fee
$100-$200
Training costs vary significantly based on aircraft rental rates, instructor fees, training frequency, and individual aptitude. Most PPL students require 60-80 hours to reach proficiency, exceeding the 40-hour FAA minimum. Part 141 flight schools may offer structured programs at fixed rates. Costs shown are estimates for Nevada and may vary by flight school.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Student Pilot Certificate Applied for via IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) at no cost | Free (no charge) |
FAA Written Exam FAA knowledge exam at PSI testing center — same fee regardless of certificate/rating | $175 |
Checkride (DPE Fee) Designated Pilot Examiner fee; varies by examiner, location, and certificate type. Not regulated by FAA. | $600-$1,200 |
Medical Exam Aviation Medical Examiner fee; 1st Class exams typically cost more than 3rd Class | $100-$200 |
PPL Total Training Cost Estimated total PPL training cost in Nevada including aircraft rental, instructor fees, ground school, and supplies. Most students require 60-80 hours to complete. | $10,000-$17,000 |
CPL Total Training Cost Total cost from zero experience through CPL; varies significantly by training path (Part 61 vs Part 141) | $30,000-$80,000+ |
Total PPL Non-Training Fees Non-training fees only: FAA written exam ($175) + DPE checkride ($600-$1,200) + medical exam ($100-$200). Training costs are additional. | $875-$1,575 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Ongoing currency and renewal obligations
VerifiedNever Expires
Certificate Expiration
Every 24 Months
Flight Review (BFR)
90-Day Rule
Passenger Currency
Flight Review
Every 24 calendar months, at least 1 hour of ground training and 1 hour of flight training with an authorized instructor, per §61.56
Medical Certificate Renewal
Medical certificate renewal per class schedule: 1st Class every 6-12 months, 2nd Class every 12 months, 3rd Class every 24-60 months (varies by age). BasicMed physical every 48 months.
Instrument Currency
Per §61.57(c): within the preceding 6 calendar months, 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting/tracking navigational courses. IPC required if lapsed.
Passenger Currency
Per §61.57(a): 3 takeoffs and 3 landings within preceding 90 days, same category/class/type. For night passenger ops: 3 takeoffs and 3 full-stop landings during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise.
Regulatory Board
Pilot certificates are issued for life and do not expire. However, pilots must maintain currency to legally exercise their privileges. A flight review (formerly Biennial Flight Review) is required every 24 calendar months. Medical certificates must be renewed on their class-specific schedule. Instrument-rated pilots must maintain instrument currency or complete an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC).
Nevada contains the Nevada Test and Training Range — the largest contiguous air and ground space for military operations in the free world, significantly affecting GA routing.
Pilot certification is 100% federal — the FAA issues all pilot certificates under 14 CFR Part 61. No state issues pilot licenses.
The Private Pilot License (PPL) requires minimum 40 flight hours (35 under Part 141), including 20 hours dual instruction and 10 hours solo. Most students require 60-80 hours to reach proficiency.
An FAA medical certificate is required: 3rd Class for private flying, 2nd Class for commercial operations, 1st Class for airline transport. BasicMed is available as an alternative to 3rd Class for eligible pilots.
Pilot certificates do not expire, but pilots must complete a flight review (BFR) every 24 calendar months and maintain medical currency to exercise privileges.
Nevada has no state-specific pilot licensing requirements. All pilot certification is handled by the FAA through local Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) and Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs).
FAA FSDO(s) serving Nevada: Las Vegas FSDO (LAS) / Reno FSDO (RNO).
Pilot certification is federally regulated by the FAA. No state licensing or interstate compact exists.
Pilot requirements in nearby states
See how Nevada compares: Pilot License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Nevada.
Pilot Schools in Nevada
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for FAA written exams — PPL, instrument, commercial, and ATP.
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Official Sources
Pilot requirements in Nevada verified against Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), March 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Moving to Nevada? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
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Nevada does not require a state pilot license — all certification is handled by the FAA. Growing flight school community in Las Vegas and Reno. Estimated PPL training cost in Nevada: $10,000-$17,000. The FAA is the sole authority for all pilot certificates.
Training costs and DPE fees vary. Always verify current requirements with the FAA and your local FSDO.