How to Become a B1 Licensed Engineer
Over 2000 roles are left open annually by UK aviation maintenance, leading to high reliance on an ageing workforce, overseas talent and short-term contract fixes.
But businesses want to hire, and they have never been more open to addressing their talent pipeline.
If you're a young engineer aspiring towards a well-paid and interesting career, you should consider training to become B1 Licensed.
We've put together this step-by-step guide on how you can gain to access the industry and, eventually, your licence.
1. Getting your foot in the door
The best routes are:
- Completing an apprenticeship. This is the most direct and valuable option, giving you structured training and early exposure to aircraft environments (particularly important in getting licensed).
- Possessing a relevant aerospace/maintenance qualification, such as Level 3 engineering diplomas or technical certificates.
- Having a military background. Many ex‑forces engineers transition successfully due to their technical grounding and hands‑on experience.
At Meritus, we partner with leading MROs and airlines who are actively building their B1 pipelines. If you’d like to understand which organisations are hiring and where opportunities exist, you can speak with our team.
2. Complete Part-66 modules
To progress toward your licence, you’ll need to pass the Part‑66 examinations, which cover:
- Electrical fundamentals
- Mechanical principles
- Aircraft systems
- Human factors
- Aviation legislation
You can explore the full list of modules and requirements here.
3. Build up your practical experience (2-5+ years)
Experience is the backbone of the B1 licence. You’ll need hands‑on exposure to:
- Aircraft installation
- Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
- Fault‑finding and troubleshooting
- Working to approved maintenance manuals and procedures
We can support you in accessing high‑quality placements that will allow you to build this experience across multiple aircraft types. If you’re looking for opportunities, we can help.
4. Work within a Part-145 MRO
Your experience only counts toward your licence if it’s gained within an approved Part‑145 maintenance organisation. These environments ensure you’re working to regulated standards and gaining exposure to real‑world operational pressures.
5. Apply for your B1 Licence
Once you have completed both your modules and your experience, you will be eligible to apply for your licence via the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
6. Get aircraft type ratings
To be commercially valuable, you’ll need type ratings on specific aircraft such as the A320, B737 or E190. These approvals allow you to certify work on those aircraft.
Learn more about type ratings here.
7. Gain company certification approval
This is the final step, and the point at which you are qualified to sign off aircraft. It’s a position of significant responsibility and trust, and it marks your transition into a fully operational B1 Licensed Engineer.
There aren't many careers in the UK in which you could be earning in excess of £70,000 per annum before your 30th birthday, but that is absolutely doable within the MRO sphere. What we must stress is that most people underestimate how critical experience and type ratings are. Qualifications get you in, but aircraft exposure is what gets you licensed.
The reality is that it takes anywhere between five to ten years to reach full B1 status on average. At this stage, the accountability is high: you are ultimately signing aircraft off, which carries significant responsibility. Shift work is standard, and longer holidays can be available.
How we can help:
If you’re ready to begin your journey toward becoming a B1 Licensed Engineer, our Head of MRO Services, Aleck Mehra, who can guide you through the process, connect you with employers and help you map out your long‑term pathway.
Email: aleck.mehra@meritustalent.com
Call: 07441 391 885
