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
- Cover Letter — A DER applicant must submit a cover letter requesting appointment.
- 8110-14, Statement of Qualifications (DAR-F - DMIR - DER)
- DER Authorized Functions (General Regulatory & Technical Criteria) (MS Word)
- DER Application Evaluation Technical Criteria — Complete an evaluation for each technical area for which you are applying.
- Acoustical Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Electrical Systems and Equipment Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Engine Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Flight Analyst Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Flight Test Pilot Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Mechanical Systems and Equipment Technical Criteria (PDF)
- Power Plant Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Propeller Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Radio Technical Criteria (MS Word)
- Structural Technical Criteria (MS Word)
Submit application package to your local managing office
Aircraft Certification Offices (ACO)