Become a DER

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Designated Engineering Representative.

Basic qualifications for becoming a Designated Engineering Representative (DER):

• Basic engineering knowledge appropriate to the designation being sought,
• Eight years of progressively responsible engineering experience for which an undergraduate engineering degree may be substituted for up to 4 years of maximum credit.
• An applicant who has completed an FAA-Accepted Master of Science Degree in Airworthiness Engineering (MS-AWE), subsequent to an undergraduate engineering degree may claim credit for 1 year of experience in addition to the 4-year undergraduate credit.
• Check here for a current List of FAA-Accepted MS-AWE Degree Programs
• An applicant who has not earned an engineering degree may substitute 40 credit hours of successfully completed course work in engineering or related curriculum for 1 year of experience, up to 4 years of maximum credit.

Specific qualifications and instructions are found in FAA Order 8100.8, Designee Management Handbook.

The following items make up the DER application package:

1. Cover Letter – A DER applicant must submit a cover letter requesting appointment.
2. 8110-14, Statement of Qualifications (DAR-F - DMIR - DER)
3. DER Authorized Functions (General Regulatory & Technical Criteria)
4. DER Application Evaluation Technical Criteria – Complete an evaluation for each technical area for which you are applying.
1. Acoustical Technical Criteria
2. Electrical Systems and Equipment Technical Criteria
3. Engine Technical Criteria
4. Flight Analyst Technical Criteria
5. Flight Test Pilot Technical Criteria
6. Mechanical Systems and Equipment Technical Criteria
7. Power Plant Technical Criteria
8. Propeller Technical Criteria
9. Radio Technical Criteria
10. Structural Technical Criteria

Submit application package to your local managing office:

Aircraft Certification Offices (ACO)

Information for DERs