How to Become a Pilot in Canada (federal)
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Transport Canada to work as a pilot in Canada or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“All pilots must hold a permit, certificate or licence issued by Transport Canada if they are operating a Canadian registered aircraft.”
From tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Annual fees
-
- Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
Source
“Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit) | $68.90”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...
- Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $68.90 (for renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
- Listed time: 2.3 months (only 2 of 4 steps state a time)
-
Before applying, confirm you meet every Canadian Aviation Regulation requirement including identity, medical fitness, knowledge, experience, language proficiency and skill.
Source
“Before applying for a student pilot permit, flight crew permit, licence or rating, make sure you meet all *Canadian Aviation Regulation* requirements, including: - proof of identity - medical fitness - knowledge - experience - language proficiency - skill”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... -
Apply for a medical certificate to confirm you meet the medical standards required to hold a pilot licence or permit.
- Request an initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for the initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
Source
“Request an initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit) | $68.90”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...
Time: 40 daysTime source
“40 working days. The service standard doesn’t apply when an application:<ul><li>is incomplete</li><li>there’s a medical finding on a Medical Examination Report, or</li><li>we need other medical exams or reports to make sure that requirements are met</li></ul>”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...Source
“You must apply for a medical certificate to confirm you meet the medical standards required to hold a pilot licence or permit.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... - Request an initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for the initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
-
Book the flight crew exam for the licence you are seeking with an Authorized Examination Invigilator or through Transport Canada's online booking tool, and write it.
Time: 30 daysTime source
“Instantly - for online booking tool 30 business days if you need Transport Canada to schedule an exam”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...Source
“Before you can obtain your licence, permit or rating, an exam is necessary to make sure you have the knowledge to fly safely. Your choice of exam will depend on the type of licence, permit, or rating you’re seeking.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... -
Demonstrate the required skill by completing a flight test or obtaining a statement of competency.
Source
“Skill is demonstrated by a flight test or a statement of competency. The CARs specify the skill requirements for each type of permit/licence or rating.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...
Listed fees for this route
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
Source
“Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit) | $68.90”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $68.90 (for renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
- Listed time: 1.3 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
Complete the medical examination requirements with a Transport Canada designated Civil Aviation Medical Examiner and get the required medical certificate.
- Request an initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for the initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
Source
“Request an initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit) | $68.90”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...
Time: 40 daysTime source
“40 working days. The service standard doesn’t apply when an application:<ul><li>is incomplete</li><li>there’s a medical finding on a Medical Examination Report, or</li><li>we need other medical exams or reports to make sure that requirements are met</li></ul>”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...Source
“1. Complete the medical examination requirements and get a Category 1 or 3 medical certificate. A Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) designated by Transport Canada must do your medical exam.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... - Request an initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for the initial medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
-
Provide proof that you meet the applicable standard requirements and be ready to present your flight logbook for review.
Source
“2. Provide proof that you meet the requirements of 421.26. Make sure to carefully read (8) and (9) of this standard as they relate to foreign applicants. Be ready to present your flight logbook for our review. You can use digital logbooks or digital copies of paper logbooks, just email them with the rest of your application.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... -
Prepare digital copies of any foreign aviation licences, medicals, certificates or credentials that you hold to support your application.
Source
“2. Prepare digital copies of any foreign aviation licences, medicals, certificates or credentials that you hold to support your application”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... -
Submit your application for a pilot permit or licence to Transport Canada.
Source
“3. Apply for a pilots permit or licence”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...
Listed fees for this route
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit): $68.90 (for renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or permit other than a student pilot permit)
Source
“Request a renewal of a medical certificate for a pilot licence or a pilot permit (other than a student pilot permit) | $68.90”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Request a temporary medical certificate: $40 (when requesting a temporary medical certificate)
Source
“Request a temporary medical certificate | $40.00”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia... - Replace a lost or destroyed medical certificate: $35 (when replacing a lost or destroyed medical certificate)
Source
“Replace a lost or destroyed medical certificate | $35.00”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia...
Requirements
Experience
Applicants must meet the experience requirement, which is the specified flight or instrument time entered into a personal log or other acceptable record.
Source
“Experience is the specified flight or instrument time required for the issue of a permit; licence or rating. Such time must be entered into a personal log, pilot training record or some other acceptable record.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...
Other
Applicants must provide proof of identity, age and citizenship.
Source
“- proof of age and citizenship (not required if previously submitted)”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...Applicants must meet medical fitness standards and hold a valid medical certificate.
Source
“- proof of medical fitness;”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...Applicants must meet the knowledge requirements, normally established by satisfactory completion of written examinations.
Source
“- proof of having met the knowledge requirements;”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...Applicants must meet the skill requirement, demonstrated by a flight test or a statement of competency.
Source
“- proof of having met the skill requirement;”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...Applicants must meet language proficiency requirements.
Source
“- language proficiency”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...Applicants must meet the minimum age requirement for the permit or licence type they are seeking.
Source
“The minimum age for each permit or licence holder is shown in the chart above.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...An individual must be able to read the examination questions and write the answers in either English or French without assistance.
Source
“The level of formal education for the issue of flight crew permits/licences is not specifically defined by Transport Canada; however, an individual must be able to read the examination questions and write the answers in either English or French without assistance.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...For foreign licence validation certificates, the applicant's foreign pilot licence and medical must be valid under the law of the contracting state where they were issued.
Source
“To be eligible for one, your foreign pilot licence and medical must be valid under the law of the contracting state where they were issued.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how a pilot already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers with Transport Canada. Source
“If you’re a foreign pilot with a licence from another country, we may credit your training if your licence comes from a country that’s a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Exams
-
Flight test
Source
“Skill is demonstrated by a flight test or a statement of competency. The CARs specify the skill requirements for each type of permit/licence or rating.”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... -
Flight review
Source
“- successfully complete a flight review with an instructor, and”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/staying-current... -
Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations examination (PSTAR)
Source
“- pass the Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations examination (PSTAR).”
tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/staying-current...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $24.04 | $52.00 | $106.00 | — |
Pilots in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Apply for a pilot permit, licence or rating tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fees and service standards tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medical-fitness-aviation/apply-manage-avia... · fetched October 8, 2026
- How to book a flight crew exam tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- General information on pilot licences and permits tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Licensing for foreign pilots tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-lic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Staying current and proficient as a pilot tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/staying-current... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a pilot in Canada?
Yes. A licence or certificate from Transport Canada is required to work in Canada.
Which exams are required?
Flight test, Flight review, Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations examination (PSTAR).
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.