How to Convert a DGCA License to FAA (A320 / B737 Pilots)

Why DGCA-licensed pilots pursue an FAA certificate

India's DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) trains and licenses a large pool of commercial pilots, many of whom fly the A320 or B737 for domestic carriers. A growing number of these pilots look to convert their DGCA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot license into an FAA certificate to open up opportunities with U.S. carriers, U.S.-registered operators, or international carriers that recruit pilots holding FAA credentials alongside their home license.

Because both DGCA and the FAA are ICAO-compliant licensing authorities, the conversion process is a recognized pathway rather than starting from zero. It still requires meeting FAA-specific knowledge, medical, and practical test standards, but existing flight time, ratings, and training are generally creditable toward the process rather than discarded.

Step 1: Verification of your DGCA license and logbook

The FAA requires verification of a foreign license before it will issue FAA certificates based on it. For DGCA holders, this typically involves the FAA confirming directly with DGCA that the license is genuine, in good standing, and reflects the ratings and experience claimed. This step can take time depending on how quickly the foreign authority responds, so pilots are generally advised to start it as early as possible in their planning.

Alongside verification, pilots should assemble a complete, well-organized logbook history and documentation of their type ratings (A320, B737, or others), since examiners and training providers will reference this record when determining what knowledge and practical testing is required.

Step 2: FAA medical certificate and written exams

A pilot converting a DGCA license needs an FAA medical certificate appropriate to the certificate being sought, obtained through an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner. In parallel, the FAA requires passing the relevant knowledge tests — commonly covering U.S. airspace, regulations, and operational procedures that differ from DGCA/ICAO-standard material the pilot may already know well from line flying but hasn't been tested on under FAA rules.

For pilots ultimately aiming at an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) must be completed before sitting the ATP written exam. ATP-CTP is a structured 6-8 day, 42-hour course — 32 hours of ground training plus 10 hours in a simulator — that every ATP candidate takes regardless of their prior airline experience.

Step 3: Practical test and type rating in the simulator

With the paperwork verified and written exams passed, the remaining step is the FAA practical test (checkride), which for airline-track pilots is generally paired with earning or validating an FAA type rating on their aircraft. A DGCA-licensed A320 or B737 pilot bringing real type experience to the process typically moves through this stage more efficiently than someone converting from a lighter aircraft background, since their existing systems knowledge and handling experience transfer directly.

FAA type ratings for aircraft in this category run roughly 28-35 days of dedicated ground school and full-flight simulator training. Choosing a training center with simulators built for exactly this transition — A320, A330, ATR 42/72, B737 NG/MAX, B737 Classic, and B757/767 — keeps the training focused on FAA-specific procedures rather than re-teaching aircraft systems the pilot already knows.

Typical timeline and what affects it

There's no single fixed timeline for a DGCA-to-FAA conversion, since it depends on how quickly license verification is completed, how much preparation a pilot needs for the written exams, and scheduling availability for the ATP-CTP course, simulator training, and checkride. Pilots who start license verification early and prepare for written exams before arriving for hands-on training generally move through the process with less downtime between stages.

Because A320 and B737 are among the most commonly held type ratings among DGCA pilots, training providers that regularly work with this specific pilot population tend to have a clear, well-tested sequence for it — which can meaningfully reduce the back-and-forth that comes with a less familiar conversion path.

Planning your conversion

If you're a DGCA-licensed A320 or B737 pilot considering this move, the most useful first step is a conversation with a training provider that can review your logbook, ratings, and target outcome, and lay out exactly which exams, courses, and simulator sessions apply to your situation.