FAA Type Rating Requirements for Boeing 737 Pilots
If you are comparing type rating requirements for airline, charter, or corporate jet work, the first question is usually simple: when does the FAA require a type rating, and what does that mean for a Boeing 737 pilot? The answer depends on the aircraft, the crew position, and the operating role you want next. A 737 pathway often connects three related decisions: whether you need a PIC or SIC qualification, whether ATP-related requirements apply to your next certificate or job, and where simulator-based type rating training fits.
Planning for Boeing 737 training now? Review Las Vegas Flight Academy’s Boeing 737 type rating program to see how FAA Part 142 training, ground school, and Level D simulator sessions fit the path.
What are FAA type rating requirements?
The FAA requires a type rating when a pilot acts as pilot in command of a large aircraft, a turbojet-powered airplane, or another aircraft the Administrator designates by type. Those baseline rules are in 14 CFR 61.31. A Boeing 737 is both a large transport-category airplane and a turbojet-powered airplane, so it squarely falls into the category where type-specific qualification matters.
For the Boeing 737 family, the FAA type designation is generally shown as B-737 on the pilot certificate. The FAA type designation list includes 737 Classic, NG, and MAX civil model families under that type-rating designation, while training providers and operators still address differences, aircraft variant details, and operational procedures as applicable.
A practical way to frame it is:
- Aircraft trigger: A 737 requires type-specific qualification because of its size and propulsion category.
- Role trigger: PIC privileges require the appropriate aircraft type rating.
- Operation trigger: SIC pilots may need SIC qualification or an SIC pilot type rating depending on the operation and intended privileges.
This distinction matters because a pilot researching type rating requirements may be comparing very different end goals. One pilot wants to add a B-737 PIC type rating to compete for a job. Another wants to satisfy SIC qualification rules for assigned right-seat duties. A third is coordinating a type rating with the ATP certificate process. The training decision should match that goal.
When does a Boeing 737 pilot need a type rating?
A Boeing 737 pilot needs the appropriate type rating to exercise PIC privileges in that aircraft. In plain language, if you plan to serve as captain or otherwise act as pilot in command of a 737, the certificate must reflect the B-737 type rating, subject to any limitations that may apply after the practical test.
That does not mean every pilot sitting in a 737 cockpit follows the identical qualification route. The FAA addresses second-in-command qualification in 14 CFR 61.55. SIC duties in an aircraft that requires more than one pilot are governed by second-in-command qualification rules, and some pilots pursue an SIC pilot type rating because it documents aircraft-specific training and can support international or employer requirements.
| Goal | Core requirement to analyze | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Act as PIC in a Boeing 737 | B-737 type rating and applicable practical test standards | PIC privilege in a 737 is type-specific. |
| Serve as SIC in a two-pilot 737 operation | 14 CFR 61.55 qualification, operator rules, and whether an SIC type rating is needed | SIC needs are role- and operation-specific. |
| Pursue ATP certificate or ATP issued concurrently with a type rating | ATP eligibility plus ATP-CTP completion before the ATP knowledge test | ATP planning and type-rating planning often run together. |
The safest planning question is not, “Do I need a 737 type rating eventually?” It is, “Which 737 privilege or operator requirement am I trying to satisfy next?” That question clarifies whether you should be evaluating PIC type training, SIC documentation, ATP prerequisites, or a combination of all three.
PIC vs SIC: how the requirements differ
PIC type rating considerations
PIC is the more direct type-rating case. If a pilot intends to act as PIC in a Boeing 737, the type rating is the qualification that demonstrates the pilot passed aircraft-specific training and evaluation for that type. Training typically involves systems academics, procedures, simulator sessions, oral preparation, and a practical test or proficiency evaluation appropriate to the program.
Las Vegas Flight Academy’s Boeing 737 type rating page describes training built around ground instruction, computer-based learning, oral and preflight preparation, and Boeing 737 Level D full-flight simulators. That format is important because transport-category type training is not a simple endorsement. It is structured preparation for aircraft systems, crew procedures, normal and non-normal events, and evaluation standards.
SIC qualification considerations
SIC is more nuanced. A pilot serving as second in command in a qualifying airplane generally must meet 14 CFR 61.55 training and familiarity requirements unless a specific exception applies. The rule addresses areas such as aircraft systems, normal and emergency operating procedures, crew resource management, and flight training or equivalent approved paths for SIC duties.
An SIC pilot type rating can be useful when the operator, route structure, or international environment calls for certificate documentation of the aircraft type. However, an SIC type rating is not the same as a PIC type rating. Pilots should avoid assuming the two terms are interchangeable when reviewing job postings or training options.
Mid-path check: If your target seat is the 737 flight deck, match the training route to the privilege you need. LVFA’s 737 type rating training overview is a useful starting point for initial, upgrade, recurrent, and differences questions.
How ATP requirements connect to a 737 type rating
Type rating requirements and ATP requirements are related, but they are not identical. The type rating focuses on authority to operate a specific aircraft type. The Airline Transport Pilot certificate focuses on the highest FAA pilot certificate and is required for many airline and commercial operations.
The FAA’s ATP Certification Training Program advisory material explains that ATP-CTP applies to applicants for an ATP certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating, or an ATP certificate issued concurrently with an airplane type rating. Completion of ATP-CTP is required before taking the FAA ATP airplane multiengine knowledge test. It does not itself issue an ATP certificate or a type rating.
That sequence creates a common planning pattern:
- Confirm whether the next career step requires ATP eligibility, a type rating, or both.
- If pursuing the ATP knowledge test, complete ATP-CTP first.
- Prepare for the written exam separately, because ATP-CTP is not a test-prep course.
- Select a Boeing 737 type rating path that fits the desired PIC, SIC, upgrade, recurrent, or differences objective.
LVFA’s ATP-CTP course outlines a six-day FAA-approved program with 32 hours of ground school, four hours in a fixed-base simulator, and six hours in a full-flight simulator. Pilots comparing airline-readiness steps can also review LVFA’s guide to Airline Transport Pilot certification for a broader certificate-level view.
What should pilots expect in Boeing 737 type rating training?
A Boeing 737 type rating course is designed around aircraft-specific competence, not a generic jet familiarization. Exact curriculum details depend on the approved course and the pilot’s objective, but the structure usually focuses on the same building blocks that matter in a transport-category cockpit.
- Aircraft systems: Flight controls, hydraulics, electrical systems, pneumatics, fuel, autoflight, limitations, and performance concepts.
- Procedures: Flows, checklists, crew callouts, standard operating patterns, and scenario management.
- Simulator training: Normal operations, abnormal events, emergency handling, approaches, and crew coordination in a high-fidelity environment.
- Evaluation preparation: Oral review, preflight knowledge, and practical-test readiness.
Las Vegas Flight Academy trains on Boeing 737 Level D full-flight simulators and emphasizes airline-experienced instruction. For pilots coming from smaller turbine aircraft, corporate flying, military backgrounds, or international experience, the simulator phase is where type-specific study turns into flight deck performance.
It is also where pilots see why training intent matters. A first-time initial type rating, an upgrade path, recurrent training, and differences training do not serve the same purpose. LVFA lists initial, upgrade, recurrent, and differences options, so a pilot can ask a more precise enrollment question instead of requesting a vague “737 course.”
Do you need ATP-CTP before a 737 type rating?
Short answer: ATP-CTP is required before the FAA ATP airplane multiengine knowledge test, and it applies when an ATP certificate is issued concurrently with an airplane type rating. A pilot should not assume every standalone type-rating scenario has the exact same ATP timing, but ATP-CTP is central when the pathway includes ATP certification.
This point is easy to blur online. Some pilots search “type rating requirements” because they want the training sequence for an airline career. Others search it because they already hold the needed certificate level and are evaluating a specific 737 qualification. If your next step includes the ATP written test, the ATP-CTP requirement needs to be planned early. If your question is about a specific type-rating course, confirm the course prerequisites and certificate path before booking travel.
How a Boeing 737 type rating supports airline and operator roles
A B-737 type rating is not a guarantee of hiring, but it is a concrete qualification that can align with roles requiring or preferring Boeing 737 experience. It tells an employer that the pilot has completed type-specific training and evaluation on a widely used transport aircraft. For operators, that may reduce uncertainty about aircraft systems familiarity and simulator readiness. For pilots, it can help connect prior certificates and hours to a more targeted airline, charter, contract, or international opportunity.
The value is strongest when the rating matches a real plan. A pilot targeting 737 PIC opportunities has a different use case than a pilot exploring SIC qualification, and both differ from a pilot trying to sequence ATP-CTP, ATP testing, and a concurrent certificate outcome. Clear planning prevents expensive training from becoming disconnected from the role it was supposed to support.
West Coast and international pilots also need to think about logistics. LVFA is based in the Las Vegas area and serves pilots traveling from California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Hawaii, and beyond. International students should review the academy’s SEVP information early when visa or approval timing could affect training dates.
Ready to map your next step? Start with LVFA’s Boeing 737 type rating program, then compare that course path with your ATP status, PIC or SIC goal, and preferred training timeline.
FAQ: FAA type rating requirements for Boeing 737 pilots
What aircraft require an FAA type rating?
The FAA requires a type rating for large aircraft, turbojet-powered airplanes, and other aircraft specified by the Administrator. A Boeing 737 meets the large-aircraft and turbojet criteria, so type-specific qualification is part of the path.
Do I need a type rating to fly a Boeing 737 as PIC?
Yes. Acting as pilot in command of a Boeing 737 requires the appropriate B-737 type rating on the pilot certificate, along with any other certificate, medical, currency, and operator requirements that apply.
Does a 737 SIC need a type rating?
SIC qualification is governed by 14 CFR 61.55, and the exact documentation need depends on the operation. Some pilots pursue an SIC pilot type rating to document type-specific qualification, especially when employer or international requirements make that useful. It is not the same as a PIC type rating.
Is ATP-CTP the same as a Boeing 737 type rating?
No. ATP-CTP is a required training program before the ATP airplane multiengine knowledge test. A Boeing 737 type rating is aircraft-specific training and evaluation for the B-737 type. They may be planned together, but they are not interchangeable.
Can ATP and a type rating be issued together?
Yes, an ATP certificate can be issued concurrently with an airplane type rating when the applicant meets the applicable requirements. FAA ATP-CTP guidance specifically addresses applicants pursuing an ATP certificate issued concurrently with an airplane type rating.
What is the difference between initial, recurrent, upgrade, and differences training?
Initial training is for earning the type qualification, recurrent training maintains proficiency under an approved program or operator requirement, upgrade training supports a transition in responsibility such as captain development, and differences training addresses approved differences between aircraft variants or configurations.
Bottom line
FAA type rating requirements become clearer when you separate three issues: the aircraft, the seat, and the certificate path. A Boeing 737 is a type-rating aircraft. PIC privileges require a B-737 type rating. SIC questions require a closer look at 14 CFR 61.55 and operator expectations. ATP-CTP enters the conversation when the next goal includes the ATP written test or an ATP certificate issued alongside a type rating.
For pilots ready to move from research to a training conversation, Las Vegas Flight Academy provides FAA Part 142 Boeing 737 type rating options, Level D simulator training, and a separate ATP-CTP pathway that helps pilots plan each step with less guesswork.