Definition
The specific eligibility, knowledge, experience, and proficiency standards set by the FAA in 14 CFR Part 61 that a person must meet to be issued a particular pilot or instructor certificate or rating.
Plain English
The list of things you must have done, learned, and demonstrated before the FAA will issue you a certificate or rating.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying how a pilot becomes qualified to act as a flight instructor or add instructor privileges.
Derivation
From the Latin certificare, meaning 'to make certain.' The FAA 'makes it certain' that a pilot is qualified by checking them against a fixed list of requirements.
Why Pilots Care
Failing to meet any of these requirements prevents a pilot from legally providing instruction and signing off student endorsements.
Intuition Check
Certification requirements are not helpful suggestions or school preferences. In this context, they are official FAA conditions that must be met before the certificate or privilege can be granted.
Example Sentence 1
Before recommending the student for the checkride, the instructor reviewed the certification requirements in Part 61 to confirm every item was met.
Example Sentence 2
She reviewed the certification requirements again before scheduling her practical test with the examiner.