FAA to DGCA License Conversion: 7 Ultimate Steps for Indian Pilots in 2025

Completed your FAA CPL training in the United States and planning to fly in India? You’ll need to navigate the official FAA to DGCA license conversion process to operate commercially under Indian aviation regulations.

This process isn’t automatic. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has specific requirements for validating foreign pilot licenses—especially when it comes to Indian airspace regulations, flight experience, and medical standards.

Whether you’re returning home after training abroad or planning a career shift to the Indian aviation market, this guide breaks down the 7 steps involved in converting your FAA license into a DGCA-issued Commercial Pilot License in 2025. From written exams to flight hour verification and eGCA submissions, we cover everything you need to complete the FAA to DGCA license conversion without delays.

FAA to DGCA License Conversion Starts with DGCA Class 1 Medical

The first official step in the FAA to DGCA license conversion is securing a valid DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate. Even if you’ve already passed FAA medicals in the U.S., they’re not recognized by the Indian aviation regulator. DGCA requires all pilots operating under Indian regulations to undergo their medical evaluation—without exceptions.

This exam must be completed at a DGCA-approved medical center in India and includes a full-body check-up. You’ll be assessed on vision, hearing, BMI, ENT, ECG, and blood test parameters. Some pilots may also be referred to AFCME (Air Force Central Medical Establishment) or IAM (Institute of Aerospace Medicine) for additional tests based on age or history.

Keep in mind: your license conversion process cannot proceed without a valid Class 1 Medical. It’s mandatory for registering for exams, submitting your documents on eGCA, and eventually applying for a Commercial Pilot License under DGCA. If you’re planning a return to India, scheduling this medical in advance can save weeks in processing time.

Apply for DGCA Computer Number for FAA to DGCA License Conversion

After securing your medical, the next critical step in the FAA to DGCA license conversion is applying for your DGCA Computer Number. This is a unique identifier issued to every pilot candidate and is required to register for all DGCA theory exams.

To apply, visit the Pariksha portal—the official exam registration site for DGCA. You’ll need to upload:

Your Class 10 certificate (for age and identity verification)
A valid passport copy
FAA CPL license pages
Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature

Once submitted, DGCA will verify your documents and assign your Computer Number within a few weeks. Be sure all details exactly match your FAA license and ID documents, or your application may be rejected.

This step is purely administrative but absolutely essential. Without a Computer Number, you cannot sit for the mandatory DGCA theory exams—meaning your FAA to DGCA license conversion would stall at the gate.

Pass DGCA Conversion Exams (3 Core Subjects)

A major requirement in the FAA to DGCA license conversion process is clearing three core DGCA theory exams. Even though you’ve already studied similar subjects in the U.S., DGCA mandates that all foreign license holders pass these specific papers to ensure alignment with Indian aviation regulations.

The subjects are:

Air Navigation
Meteorology
Air Regulations

Each exam is administered by DGCA via the Pariksha portal, and questions follow Indian airspace standards, ICAO norms, and region-specific operational procedures. FAA knowledge can give you a head start, but don’t expect a smooth transfer—DGCA study materials and exam patterns differ significantly.

To increase your chances of success, consider enrolling in a DGCA-focused ground school in India. These academies offer tailored prep courses for returning Indian pilots and are familiar with the technical nuances required to clear these papers efficiently.

Until you pass these three exams, you cannot apply for the final license conversion, making this a non-skippable checkpoint in the FAA to DGCA license conversion journey.

Validate Flying Hours for FAA to DGCA License Conversion

Beyond theory, DGCA also reviews your flight experience to ensure it aligns with India’s commercial pilot licensing standards. For a successful FAA to DGCA license conversion, you must have logged at least 200 total flight hours under your FAA training—with the following minimums:

100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
50 hours of cross-country flying
Additional hours in night, instrument, and dual instruction as required by DGCA

Your FAA logbook must be verified and signed by your chief flight instructor or designated authority. It should include detailed entries of all flight hours, types of training, and aircraft categories flown. DGCA has specific formatting rules, so your logbook may need to be reformatted before submission. Errors or inconsistencies in entries can delay or even deny your conversion request.

This step confirms that your foreign training meets India’s CPL standards. So before you initiate the final eGCA application, ensure every logged hour is traceable, verifiable, and fully compliant with DGCA’s guidelines for the FAA to DGCA license conversion.

Submit Documents for FAA to DGCA License Conversion via eGCA

Once you’ve passed your DGCA conversion exams and validated your flight hours, the next step in the FAA to DGCA license conversion is submitting your application through the eGCA portal—DGCA’s centralized digital platform for pilot licensing.

You’ll need to upload high-resolution scans of all required documents, including:

Your valid FAA Commercial Pilot License
DGCA exam results for Air Navigation, Meteorology, and Air Regulations
Your Class 1 Medical Certificate issued by a DGCA-approved center
Flight logbook pages with verified entries
Passport and educational documents (as per initial Computer Number registration)

All documents should be uploaded in PDF format, and it’s highly recommended to keep digital and physical backups for future reference. The portal will guide you through a step-by-step application form, after which your submission enters DGCA’s verification pipeline.

This is one of the most critical milestones in the FAA to DGCA license conversion, as incomplete or incorrectly formatted uploads can delay the license issuance by several weeks.

Attend Skill Test (Check Ride) with DGCA Examiner

In some cases, the FAA to DGCA license conversion process may require you to undergo a Skill Test—also known as a check ride—supervised by an authorized DGCA examiner. This happens when:

Your logged flight hours don’t perfectly match DGCA’s format
You trained in an aircraft type not widely recognized in India
The DGCA requires additional proof of flight proficiency

The Skill Test is conducted on a DGCA-registered aircraft and includes maneuvers like stalls, steep turns, navigation, and emergency procedures—similar to your original FAA check ride but evaluated under Indian standards.

You’ll need to schedule this test through a DGCA-approved flight school in India. Most returning Indian pilots coordinate with their chosen academy for access to aircraft, examiners, and ground briefing before the flight.

Though not always required, this skill test is a safeguard for ensuring all converted pilots meet operational proficiency within Indian airspace. If you’re aiming for a smooth FAA to DGCA license conversion, be prepared for this step—especially if your FAA training differs from standard DGCA benchmarks.

Receive Your DGCA CPL After FAA to DGCA License Conversion

After successfully submitting your application and completing any required Skill Test, the DGCA will begin the final verification process. Once all documents are reviewed and approved, you’ll receive your Indian Commercial Pilot License (CPL)—marking the official completion of the FAA to DGCA license conversion.

Your license will be issued digitally through the eGCA portal, and you’ll also receive a physical copy by mail if requested. From this point, you are officially qualified to:

Apply for airline jobs in India as a First Officer
Pursue Type Rating programs on aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737
Log commercial flying hours under Indian regulations

To stay active, you must renew your Class 1 Medical Certificate every 6–12 months and maintain regulatory flying hours to keep your license current.

Completing the FAA to DGCA license conversion doesn’t just unlock job opportunities—it positions you for long-term career growth in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

Conclusion

The FAA to DGCA license conversion process is your bridge from international training to a thriving aviation career in India. While the steps may seem administrative and technical, they’re designed to ensure that every pilot flying in Indian airspace meets national safety and operational standards.

From securing your DGCA medical to passing theory exams and aligning flight experience, each step demands focus and accuracy. But with the right guidance, your transition from an FAA-certified pilot to a DGCA-licensed professional can be both efficient and rewarding.

Once complete, you’ll not only be eligible to apply for airline roles across India but also stand out as a globally trained pilot with dual-market flexibility.

Florida Flyers Flight Academy India offers complete support for the FAA to DGCA license conversion process—helping returning pilots with exam preparation, logbook verification, medical scheduling, and eGCA document filing. Convert your FAA license with confidence—get expert help from Florida Flyers India today.

FAQ Section About the FAA to DGCA License Conversion

Can I convert an FAA CPL to DGCA without additional flying?

Yes—if your total flight time, PIC hours, and logbook structure meet DGCA’s requirements. However, if your hours fall short or formatting is incorrect, you may need additional flying in India or a skill test.

How long does the FAA to DGCA conversion take?

On average, the FAA to DGCA license conversion takes 3 to 6 months, depending on how quickly you complete medicals, exams, and document submissions. Delays are common if paperwork or logbooks are incomplete.

What are the passing marks for DGCA conversion exams?

You must score at least 70% in each of the three core exams—Air Navigation, Meteorology, and Air Regulations. These exams are multiple choice and conducted online via the Pariksha portal.

Can I use my FAA hours from different schools?

Yes, DGCA accepts hours from multiple FAA-approved flight schools—as long as all entries are verifiable, properly signed, and consistent across your logbook.

Is the skill test always required?

Not always. A skill test is only mandated if your flight experience doesn’t fully align with DGCA’s structure, or if you trained in a non-standard aircraft type. If everything is in order, the skill test may be waived.

Contact the Florida Flyers Flight Academy Team today at 91 (0) 1171 816622 to learn more about the Private Pilot Ground School Course.