Pilot license conversion in the Philippines

CAAP · Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
2 min read
Last checked 7 Nov 2026

We are not an aviation authority. This guide summarizes the official sources linked in each section. Rules change, so confirm with your authority before you enroll. Last checked November 2026.

In short

Filipino citizens convert a foreign license into a CAAP license; non-citizens get a validation instead. Under PCAR Part 2, CAAP converts a commercial or airline license only when you already hold a current CAAP validation certificate. So you first meet the validation rules: a skill test, knowledge checks and a CAAP medical.

What you will need

A current license from an ICAO member state, checked by CAAP with the authority that issued it
A skill test for each rating you want on the CAAP license, such as the instrument rating
To show CAAP your knowledge of air law, aeronautical weather codes, flight performance and planning, and human performance
A CAAP Class 1 medical, from a medical examination in the Philippines
ICAO English Level 4 or higher; a CAAP inspector also checks your English in an interview
Your logbook, proof of Philippine citizenship and a permanent address in the Philippines

Good to know

A validation lasts one year. An old rule that asked for 200 hours on Philippine-registered aircraft before conversion was removed in 2014. CAAP proposed changes to its validation and conversion rules in 2026, so check which version applies when you apply.

Three things to check before you enroll

Does your home authority accept the school?
Some authorities only recognize training at foreign schools they have approved.
What will you sit at home?
Most authorities ask for at least an air law exam and a flight test, some for much more.
Do you need a sponsor first?
In some places the authority only converts a license when an employer or airline asks for it.