- What the Instrument Ground Instructor Rating Actually Is
- Eligibility for the Certificate Under 14 CFR 61.213
- Fundamentals of Instructing: Who Is Exempt
- Knowledge Test Requirements: Format, Timing and Score
- Registration Mechanics: FTN, ID and Test Voucher
- If You Fail: Retest Endorsement Rules
- The Ten Knowledge Areas You Must Master
- IGI vs IRA, FII and AGI
- Certificate Permanence vs. 12-Month Currency
- A Qualification Roadmap Built Around the Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions
- You must be 18 to hold the certificate, but the FAA knowledge test can be taken from age 16.
- No pilot certificate, flight time or practical flight test is required for the instrument ground instructor rating.
- The IGI test is 50 questions in 150 minutes with a 70% passing score.
- Initial IGI testing needs no instructor endorsement; a retest after failure does.
What the Instrument Ground Instructor Rating Actually Is
The Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) rating is an FAA ground instructor rating that authorizes you to provide ground instruction in instrument flight topics and to give the applicable endorsements. The FAA knowledge test associated with it is named Ground Instructor Instrument, and its test code is IGI. That naming matters, because the FAA publishes several similarly named tests, and candidates frequently confuse them.
This rating is about instruction on the ground. It does not authorize you to provide flight instruction, and it is a different credential from the instrument rating a pilot earns, from the Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (FII) certificate, and from the Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) rating. If you want a broader orientation before diving into requirements, our overview What Is IGI? covers the basics, and What Does IGI Stand For? settles the terminology.
Eligibility for the Certificate Under 14 CFR 61.213
The governing rule is 14 CFR 61.213. To be issued a ground instructor certificate with the instrument rating, an applicant must satisfy a short list of requirements:
- Age 18: You must be at least 18 years old to be issued the certificate.
- English proficiency: You must meet the specified ability to read, speak, write and understand English.
- Aeronautical knowledge: You must pass the applicable aeronautical-knowledge examination. For the instrument rating, the rule incorporates the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in 14 CFR 61.65.
- Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge: You must have passed the FOI knowledge test unless you qualify for an exemption.
Notice what is missing. Section 61.213 does not impose a pilot certificate, a flight-time minimum or a practical flight test for this ground instructor rating. You do not need to be a pilot to qualify. That distinguishes it sharply from a flight instructor certificate, where practical testing is central.
Age 16 vs. Age 18: Two Different Thresholds
The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix lists a minimum testing age of 16 for the IGI test. The certificate itself, however, requires age 18. In practice, a 16- or 17-year-old can sit for the knowledge test, but the certificate cannot be issued until the applicant turns 18. Keep in mind that test results are not permanent, so a very early test attempt may not make sense for most candidates. Our guide IGI Exam Dates 2026 discusses scheduling considerations.
Fundamentals of Instructing: Who Is Exempt
The FOI requirement is separate from the IGI test. The FOI knowledge test covers teaching fundamentals; the IGI test covers instrument knowledge. Under 14 CFR 61.213, applicants must show FOI knowledge unless exempt. The exemption categories include:
- Holders of a ground instructor certificate
- Holders of a flight instructor certificate
- Holders of a teaching certificate that permits teaching at the 7th grade level or higher
- Teachers employed at an accredited college or university
If you fall into one of these categories, you may avoid taking the FOI test. If you do not, you will have an additional knowledge test to pass. This is the single most common reason a candidate's total cost and timeline exceed what they expected from the IGI test alone.
Knowledge Test Requirements: Format, Timing and Score
According to the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, the IGI test specifications are:
| Item | IGI Specification |
|---|---|
| Test name / code | Ground Instructor Instrument / IGI |
| Number of questions | 50, excluding any unscored validation items |
| Time allowed | 150 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Minimum testing age | 16 |
| Format | Computer-delivered multiple choice |
| Testing supplement | FAA-CT-8080-3F |
| Test provider | PSI at authorized knowledge-testing centers |
Correcting the Timer Confusion
Some third-party pages describe a two-hour limit. The FAA matrix lists 150 minutes for the IGI, which is two and a half hours. Plan your pacing around the FAA figure, not a competitor's page. For the scoring details, see IGI Passing Score 2026.
Scored Questions vs. Validation Items
The 50-question figure excludes any unscored validation items. Those are questions the FAA may include for statistical evaluation, and they do not count toward your result. The matrix does not establish how many such items might appear, so do not assume a specific number. The practical lesson: treat every question as if it counts, because you cannot tell which are scored.
What You Can Bring and Use
Test-aid rules, governed by FAA Order 8080.6H (Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests, chapter 3), permit approved calculators and navigation aids, subject to memory clearing and proctor approval, along with the supplied testing supplement. Outside study materials are prohibited. Note that the older Advisory Circular 60-11C has been canceled, so rely on Order 8080.6H.
The IGI table identifies the FAA-CT-8080-3F testing supplement and Learning Statement Codes rather than a separately weighted Airman Certification Standards blueprint. In other words, do not trust any source that claims precise percentage weights for IGI content areas. To understand how hard the test feels in practice, read How Hard Is the IGI Exam?
Registration Mechanics: FTN, ID and Test Voucher
Qualifying paperwork for the initial test is lighter than many candidates expect:
- Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating a profile in IACRA, the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application.
- Prepare acceptable identification that satisfies the testing center's requirements.
- Schedule through PSI at an authorized knowledge-testing center and pay the test fee (the published voucher price is US$175 plus applicable tax).
- Arrive prepared with only the permitted aids.
Initial IGI testing requires no instructor endorsement or other written authorization. This is a meaningful difference from some other FAA knowledge tests where a sign-off is part of the process. You can register, study independently and test when ready. Our IGI Study Guide helps you decide when you are ready.
If You Fail: Retest Endorsement Rules
The retest process differs from the initial attempt. After a failure, retesting requires:
- The failed Airman Knowledge Test Report, and
- The required instructor training or proficiency endorsement.
This distinction is easy to miss. A candidate who passes on the first try never needs an endorsement, while one who fails must arrange instructor sign-off before the next attempt. Keep your failed test report and plan ahead so you are not stalled when you want to retest.
Key Takeaway
Initial attempt: FTN, acceptable ID, and a test voucher. Retest after failure: add the failed Airman Knowledge Test Report and the required instructor endorsement. Treat the first attempt seriously, because it is the lowest-friction one.
What the Published Results Show
The FAA's CY2025 Airman Knowledge Test Volume Report records 2,751 IGI test administrations, a 99.71% passing rate and a 93.11% average score. These are administration-level results for 2025, not a first-attempt-only pass rate and not a 2026 figure. The numbers suggest that candidates who sit for the test are generally well prepared, but they do not mean the test is trivial. Preparation habits, prior instrument knowledge and self-selection all influence those results. For deeper interpretation, see IGI Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows.
The Ten Knowledge Areas You Must Master
The aeronautical knowledge areas for this rating come from 14 CFR 61.65(b). These are statutory headings, not an issuer-published weighted exam-domain table, so no area should be assumed to carry a particular percentage. Below is what each area demands in practical terms. For a fuller breakdown, see IGI Exam Domains 2026.
Domain 1: Federal Aviation Regulations Applying to IFR Flight Operations
Regulations that govern instrument operations.
- IFR flight plan requirements and alternate airport rules
- Instrument currency and equipment requirements
- Operating minimums and clearance responsibilities
Domain 2: Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Information for IFR
The AIM is a primary source for procedures and recommended practices.
- Navigation aid descriptions and system limitations
- Lost communication and emergency procedures
- Pilot-controller communication practices
Domain 3: Air Traffic Control System and Procedures
How ATC supports instrument operations.
- Clearance formats and amendments
- Departure, en route and arrival procedures
- Holding and approach clearance interpretation
Domain 4: IFR Navigation and Approaches Using Navigation Systems
Applying navigation systems to instrument flight.
- Course interception and tracking with navigation systems
- Precision and non-precision approach concepts
- System accuracy and limitations
Domain 5: IFR En Route and Instrument Approach Procedure Charts
Chart interpretation is a hands-on skill, and you will use the supplied testing supplement.
- Reading approach plates, minimums and notes
- En route chart symbology and altitudes
- Departure and arrival procedure charts
Domain 6: Aviation Weather Reports, Forecasts and Trend Elements
Procurement and use of weather information.
- Decoding reports and forecasts
- Recognizing forecast trends and personal observation cues
- Applying weather information to go/no-go decisions
Domain 7: Safe and Efficient Operation Under IFR and Instrument Conditions
Operational judgment inside the system.
- Attitude instrument flying concepts
- Instrument cross-check and scanning
- Procedures for unusual instrument conditions
Domain 8: Critical Weather Situations and Windshear Avoidance
Hazard recognition and avoidance.
- Recognizing conditions that produce severe weather
- Windshear indicators and avoidance strategies
- Icing and convective hazards in an IFR context
Domain 9: Aeronautical Decision Making and Judgment
Decision frameworks for instrument operations.
- Risk identification and mitigation
- Hazardous attitudes and countermeasures
- Personal minimums in instrument conditions
Domain 10: Crew Resource Management, Including Crew Communication and Coordination
Working effectively with others in the cockpit and system.
- Communication and workload management
- Task delegation and situational awareness
- Coordination between crewmembers and ATC
IGI vs IRA, FII and AGI
Because these credentials have similar names and overlapping subject matter, candidates often assume they are interchangeable. They are not. The comparison below clarifies the differences without claiming the exams are identical.
| Credential / Test | What It Is | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| IGI (Ground Instructor Instrument) | Knowledge test for the instrument ground instructor rating | Ground instruction only; no flight instruction privileges |
| IRA (Instrument Rating Airplane) | Knowledge test for pilots seeking an instrument rating | Aimed at pilots; has its own certification standards structure |
| FII (Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane) | Knowledge test for instrument flight instructor applicants | Leads to flight instruction authority and involves practical testing |
| AGI (Advanced Ground Instructor) | Ground instructor rating covering broader ground subjects | Different scope from the instrument-specific rating |
| FOI (Fundamentals of Instructing) | Teaching-principles knowledge test | A separate requirement unless exempt |
Content overlaps, yes, but you should not assume that passing one test prepares you for another, nor that content outlines transfer between them. For the bigger-picture question of whether the rating is worthwhile, read Is the IGI Certification Worth It?
Certificate Permanence vs. 12-Month Currency
Here is a point many candidates get wrong: a ground instructor certificate is issued without an expiration date under 14 CFR 61.19(e). Once you hold it, the certificate does not lapse on a calendar.
However, holding the certificate and exercising its privileges are different things. Under 14 CFR 61.217, to exercise privileges you need recent experience within the preceding 12 calendar months, satisfied by any one of these alternatives:
- Qualifying ground-instructor activity
- Qualifying flight-instructor activity
- Completion of an approved flight instructor refresher course
- An authorized-instructor proficiency endorsement
If you plan to work in this field, you should understand this distinction early. See also IGI Certification and IGI Jobs for context on how the credential is used in practice.
A Qualification Roadmap Built Around the Requirements
Rather than generic study advice, here is a sequencing plan that follows the requirements and the ten knowledge areas. Adjust the pace to your own background, and use the practice tools on our main practice test site to check your readiness.
Eligibility and Paperwork
- Confirm you meet the age, English and FOI requirements, including any exemption
- Create your IACRA profile to get your FTN
- Review the regulations domain (Domain 1) first, since it frames everything else
Procedures and Navigation
- Work through the AIM and ATC domains (Domains 2 and 3)
- Study navigation systems and approaches (Domain 4)
- Practice reading charts with the FAA-CT-8080-3F supplement (Domain 5)
Weather and Judgment
- Study weather reports, forecasts and critical weather (Domains 6 and 8)
- Cover operations, ADM and CRM (Domains 7, 9 and 10)
- Take timed practice sets against the 150-minute window and aim comfortably above 70%
This ordering is deliberate: regulations and procedures give you the vocabulary, navigation and charts require hands-on repetition, and weather and judgment topics tie everything together. For a quick refresher the week of your test, our IGI Cheat Sheet condenses the must-know facts, and IGI Training outlines preparation options.
What About Pay?
Earnings depend on the broader ground-instructor job market, employer type and hours worked, not simply on holding this rating. No verified credential-specific salary premium is established here. For a nuanced look, see IGI Salary Guide 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Section 61.213 does not require a pilot certificate, flight-time minimum or practical flight test for this ground instructor rating. You need to be 18, meet the English proficiency requirement, pass the applicable aeronautical-knowledge test and satisfy FOI knowledge unless exempt.
Not for the initial attempt. You need an FAA Tracking Number through IACRA and acceptable identification. After a failed attempt, retesting requires the failed Airman Knowledge Test Report and the required instructor training or proficiency endorsement.
The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix lists 50 questions, excluding any unscored validation items, with 150 minutes allowed and a 70% passing score. The exact number of additional unscored items is not established by that table.
Exemptions include holders of a ground or flight instructor certificate, holders of a teaching certificate permitting teaching at the 7th grade level or higher, and teachers employed at accredited colleges or universities.
The certificate itself is issued without an expiration date. To exercise its privileges, however, you must meet one of the recent-experience alternatives in section 61.217 within the preceding 12 calendar months. These include qualifying instructional activity, an approved refresher course or an authorized-instructor proficiency endorsement.
Meeting the requirements for this rating is more straightforward than many candidates expect: no pilot certificate, no flight test, and no endorsement on your first attempt. The real work lies in mastering the ten knowledge areas and staying current once you hold the certificate. Review the details in our IGI Requirements reference whenever you need a quick check, and test your readiness at IGI Exam Prep.