If you are working toward a pilot certificate, mechanic license, or dispatcher rating, there is one online portal you will use before you ever sit down at a testing terminal: the FAA Web Scheduler. This is the official FAA-approved system — hosted at faa.psiexams.com through PSI Exams, the FAA's contracted knowledge-test provider — where you select your exam type, find a nearby testing center, pay the required fee, and lock in your test date. Getting this step right the first time saves you from scheduling headaches, unexpected fee forfeitures, and last-minute surprises on test day.
This guide walks through every step of the scheduling process, from creating your PSI account to walking out of the testing center with your results slip in hand. You will also find the current fee structure, what identification to bring, how the reschedule and cancellation policy works, what happens if you do not pass, and practical tips for choosing the best testing location near you.
The FAA does not administer its own knowledge tests directly. Instead, it contracts with PSI Exams (formerly CATS — Computer Assisted Testing Service) to handle scheduling, payment processing, and test delivery at authorized testing centers across the United States and select international locations. When pilots and mechanics refer to the "FAA Web Scheduler," they mean the PSI Exams portal at faa.psiexams.com.
Every FAA airmen knowledge test — from the private pilot written exam to the ATP, instrument rating, commercial pilot, flight engineer, remote pilot (Part 107), and mechanic exams — goes through this same system. PSI replaced the older CATS system in 2019, bringing a more modern interface and an expanded testing center network. Understanding the system before you log in for the first time makes the whole experience faster and less confusing.
The scheduling process is straightforward once you know what to expect. Here is a detailed walkthrough of every step from account creation to test-day confirmation.
Navigate to faa.psiexams.com and select "Create Account." Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued photo ID, your date of birth, email address, and a secure password. This matters: the name on your PSI account must match your ID precisely, including middle initials if your license shows them. A mismatch can result in being turned away at the testing center on test day.
If you already have a PSI account from a previous test — for example, you took the private pilot written and are now scheduling for the instrument rating — log in with your existing credentials. Multiple accounts for the same person can cause scheduling and record-keeping problems.
After logging in, choose "Schedule a Test" and browse the list of available FAA knowledge tests. Select the correct test code — your flight school or CFI should confirm which code applies to your certificate or rating path. The system displays the exact fee before you confirm, so review carefully before proceeding.
After selecting your exam, enter a zip code or city to search for nearby PSI testing locations. PSI maintains a large network of testing centers across all 50 states, typically at aviation schools, community colleges, and dedicated testing facilities. When comparing locations, check hours as well as distance — some centers operate only on weekdays, while others offer weekend or early-morning slots.
Select an available appointment slot from the calendar. The system shows real-time availability. Most flight instructors recommend scheduling 1–2 weeks after your mock test scores consistently hit 85% or higher on the actual FAA question bank — enough lead time to stay sharp without letting the material grow stale.
Payment is processed by credit or debit card directly through the PSI portal. After payment, you receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, the testing center address, and instructions on what to bring. Save this email — you will need the confirmation number at check-in.
Arriving prepared means the check-in process goes smoothly and you spend every minute of your allotted time on the exam itself rather than sorting out paperwork at the front desk. Forgetting a required document can mean a wasted trip — so review this section carefully a day before your appointment.
PSI requires a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID that includes your signature. Acceptable forms include a driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport or passport card, military ID, or permanent resident card. The name on your ID must match your PSI account registration exactly. If you recently changed your name, update your ID before scheduling or contact PSI in advance with supporting documentation.
Most student pilot and recreational pilot knowledge tests require a logbook endorsement from a certificated flight instructor (CFI) confirming you have received the necessary ground training. Under FAR 61.35, your CFI must endorse your application for the knowledge test. You do not present a logbook at the testing center — PSI will ask for your endorsement code, which your instructor provides after signing your training record.
Remote pilot (Part 107) candidates do not need any instructor endorsement. You register, pay, and show up. The same applies to the dispatcher (ADX) exam. Always double-check with your flight school which documents apply to your specific test before the day of your appointment.
Life happens — flights get delayed, illness strikes, or your study timeline shifts. Here is what you need to know about changing or canceling a PSI appointment without losing your fee. If you have not yet completed your preparation, our faa practice test resources can help you study before your appointment.
You must cancel or reschedule at least 2 business days (48 business hours) before your scheduled test time to avoid fee forfeiture. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days. If your test is Monday morning, you must cancel by Thursday close of business — not Sunday night.
Missing this deadline means you forfeit the full $165. PSI does not offer refunds or credits for late cancellations regardless of the reason. When in doubt, cancel early.
Log in to faa.psiexams.com, navigate to "My Appointments," and select the appointment you need to change. The system walks you through selecting a new date and location. There is no additional fee for rescheduling within the cancellation window — you are moving your existing paid appointment to a new slot. You may also change testing centers when rescheduling, so if a more convenient location has opened up, take advantage of it.
Failing to appear without canceling in advance forfeits your fee and requires a new payment to reschedule. There are no built-in exceptions for no-shows, even with a documented reason.
Not passing an FAA knowledge test is more common than many student pilots expect — and the rules for retesting are clearly defined.
Under FAR 61.49, you must wait at least 24 calendar hours after a failure before retaking the same knowledge test. You cannot schedule a same-day retest or test again the next morning.
Before retesting on any exam that required an endorsement for the first attempt, you must obtain a new CFI endorsement certifying that you have received additional training in the deficient subject areas. Your instructor should reference the learning statement codes on your Airmen Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) — each missed question maps to a specific knowledge area requiring review. This is not a formality; the FAA requires it to confirm you have genuinely addressed your weak areas.
You receive your score immediately after submitting the exam. The testing center prints an Airmen Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) on the spot — keep this document, as you must present the original to your FAA examiner (DPE) when you take your practical test. The AKTR is valid for 24 calendar months. If it expires before your checkride, you must retake and pass the knowledge test before proceeding.
PSI operates an extensive network of authorized FAA knowledge test centers — you do not go to an FAA office or FSDO to take a knowledge test. Testing happens at PSI-authorized facilities including aviation universities, flight schools, and commercial testing centers. Before your exam, use our FAA practice tests to review the knowledge areas most commonly tested. Brush up on faa practice test questions to walk in confident.
The search tool at faa.psiexams.com lets you enter a zip code and radius to display all nearby locations, with facility name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and available appointment slots. You can filter by date if you have a specific window in mind.
PSI testing centers fall into a few types: dedicated testing facilities that administer exams for multiple licensing bodies (aviation, real estate, financial, medical) and typically offer the widest range of available slots; aviation schools and universities with on-site terminals, convenient if you train there; and community colleges with aviation programs that host PSI centers open to the public.
Major metro areas (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Denver, Seattle, Phoenix) typically have multiple centers within easy driving distance. Rural areas usually have at least one center within a reasonable drive. Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories have authorized locations as well. There is no restriction on testing outside your home state — if you are traveling and want to test in a different city, simply search for a center where you will be and schedule there.
You have studied, scheduled, and paid. Here is how to make sure the day itself goes smoothly.
Plan to arrive at least 15–20 minutes before your appointment. Check-in involves verifying your ID, collecting your signature, completing a brief intake form, and being escorted to your testing station. Arriving late may result in a no-show forfeit.
Cell phones, smartwatches, study materials, notes, books, and personal electronic devices are prohibited in the testing room. For most airmen tests, approved flight computers (E6B), plotters, and non-programmable calculators are permitted. PSI provides AIM excerpts and chart legends within the testing software for applicable exams — you do not bring paper sectional charts.
Most FAA knowledge tests give you significantly more time than you need if you are well-prepared. The private pilot test, for example, allows 150 minutes for 60 questions — 2.5 minutes per question. Read carefully, use your tools for calculations, and flag uncertain questions for review rather than getting stuck. After finishing, navigate back through flagged items before submitting. Many candidates catch calculation errors on review that they would have missed otherwise.
After submitting, the system immediately displays your score and prints your AKTR. Do not leave without collecting this printout. If the printer fails, ask the proctor to reprint it before you walk out. You cannot retrieve this document later without contacting PSI, which takes time and can delay your checkride scheduling.
The FAA publishes the complete question bank for all knowledge tests. Every question on your actual exam comes from this published pool — no surprises. Our FAA practice tests draw from the same question set so you can prepare under realistic conditions before your test date.
Scheduling through the FAA Web Scheduler is only one piece of the preparation puzzle. The knowledge test itself covers a wide range of aeronautical subjects depending on which certificate or rating you are pursuing — and passing it requires more than skimming a textbook the week before your appointment.
For the private pilot knowledge test, subjects include FAA regulations, meteorology, navigation, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, weight and balance, airspace classification, sectional chart reading, and airport operations. Our FAA sectional chart practice tests target the chart-reading and airspace identification questions that frequently appear on the actual exam — areas where many student pilots lose unnecessary points because they underestimate how specific the questions get.
For the instrument rating, expect a heavy emphasis on IFR procedures, approach charts, weather interpretation, holding patterns, and cross-country planning under instrument flight rules. Commercial pilot candidates face complex performance calculations, advanced weather analysis, and commercial FARs. Part 107 (remote pilot) covers airspace authorization, weather interpretation, radio communications, and UAS-specific regulations, including waivers and operational limitations that differ significantly from manned aviation rules.
Regardless of which test you pursue, work through the complete published FAA question bank repeatedly until you can answer every question correctly and — more importantly — understand why the correct answer is correct. This builds genuine conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization, which helps you handle slightly reworded question variations on the actual exam and carry the knowledge into your practical test.
Once you pass the knowledge test, you have a clear 24-month window to complete your checkride, and our faa practice test are a great starting point with a designated pilot examiner. The FAA Web Scheduler gets you through the first official gate — from there, your training, your CFI, and consistent practice are what carry you the rest of the way to your certificate or rating.