Maintenance & Engineer Licensing (Part 147 & Part 66)
Explore EASA's 2026 modernizations to Part 147 and Part 66 engineer licensing, featuring SMS integration, competence-based OJT, and digital credentials.
Raul Toro· 1 min read
Major modernizations to engineer training and licensing (driven by Regulation (EU) 2023/989) are actively rolling out across member states and shaping audits in 2026:
- SMS Integration: Safety Management Systems (SMS) and occurrence reporting concepts are now formally integrated into the basic knowledge syllabus for engineers (Modules 9 and 10).
- Exam Restructuring: Essay questions have been eliminated from Modules 9 and 10, replaced by an increased volume of multiple-choice questions.
- Competence-Based OJT: On-the-job training for maintenance professionals has transitioned from rigid "time-spent" task checklists to a flexible "competence-demonstrated" assessment model.
- Digital Licenses: EASA is progressively moving member states toward standardized digital personnel licenses to replace paper Part-66 credentials throughout the year.