Instrument Rating Requirements: How to Train and Get Certified (2025 Guide)

Flying through clouds. Navigating busy airspace. Responding to ATC in low visibility. These aren’t advanced airline maneuvers—they’re everyday realities for instrument-rated pilots. That’s why understanding the instrument rating requirements is critical for any student looking to advance beyond basic VFR flying.

In this 2025 guide, we outline the full list of FAA instrument rating requirements, including prerequisites, training hours, and what to expect during your checkride. Whether you’re building toward your commercial license or want to expand your flying capabilities, this is the next major step in your aviation journey.

What Is an Instrument Rating?

An instrument rating is an FAA-issued certification that allows a pilot to operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)—the system that governs flight in poor visibility, clouds, or controlled airspace. It’s not a standalone license but rather an add-on to your Private or Commercial Pilot License.

More than just a regulatory box to check, the instrument rating enhances safety, opens access to more airspace, and is a mandatory step for any pilot pursuing a commercial or airline career. It allows you to fly in low-visibility conditions, rely on cockpit instruments instead of visual cues, and handle complex navigation and air traffic environments with confidence.

In short, this is the certification that turns a good VFR pilot into a professional-level aviator.

Instrument Rating Requirements (FAA 2025 Standards)

To earn your instrument rating, you’ll need to meet several FAA-mandated requirements that ensure you’re equipped for the challenges of IFR flight. First, you must already hold a Private Pilot License (PPL) and possess at least a Third-Class FAA medical certificate, confirming you’re medically fit to fly under instrument conditions.

The FAA also requires that you log a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time as Pilot-in-Command (PIC). This builds the real-world navigation experience needed to handle longer flights without visual reference. In addition, you’ll need at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours of instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII). This hands-on training prepares you to manage aircraft control, navigation, and communication when outside visuals are no longer available.

Once your flight time requirements are met, you must pass the FAA written knowledge exam, which tests your understanding of IFR systems, weather, regulations, and procedures. Finally, you’ll complete the checkride, which includes a rigorous oral evaluation and a practical flight test under simulated instrument conditions.

These core instrument rating requirements are designed to sharpen your precision, decision-making, and situational awareness—critical skills for anyone planning to fly in complex airspace, pursue commercial training, or operate safely in unpredictable weather.

What You Learn in Instrument Training

Instrument training is where pilots truly become proficient in aircraft control—without depending on the horizon outside the window. While the instrument rating requirements focus on flight hours, exams, and checkride milestones, the real transformation happens in how you think, plan, and fly.

In this phase, you’ll learn to navigate entirely by instruments, interpreting cockpit data to maintain headings, altitude, and situational awareness even when flying through clouds or low visibility. You’ll become fluent in systems like VOR navigation, GPS routing, and ILS approaches, along with interpreting approach plates, SIDs, and STARs.

You’ll also practice IFR flight planning, understanding how to file flight plans, communicate with air traffic control, and respond to unexpected diversions or weather issues. Emergency procedures under IFR conditions are also a core part of the curriculum, helping you stay composed and safe during real-world challenges.

This training builds a level of precision and professionalism that goes far beyond the basics—exactly what the FAA’s instrument rating requirements are designed to produce.

Why Instrument Rating Is Essential for Career Pilots

Meeting the instrument rating requirements isn’t just a box to check—it’s a turning point in your development as a pilot. For anyone pursuing a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), working as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFII), or eventually flying for the airlines, this certification is required by both regulation and reality.

Without an instrument rating, your flying is limited to Visual Flight Rules (VFR)—which means no flying through clouds, into controlled airspace under IFR, or in low-visibility weather. That restriction blocks access to real-world flying and many job opportunities.

Instrument-rated pilots are more confident, more capable, and more trusted in professional settings. You’ll be able to fly in nearly any weather, respond clearly to ATC, and build flight hours more consistently. It also opens doors to charter operations, cargo routes, and regional airline hiring, which increasingly expect candidates to have solid IFR skills from day one.

In short, the instrument rating requirements aren’t just regulatory—they’re your entry ticket to flying professionally.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Instrument Rating?

The time it takes to meet all instrument rating requirements depends on your training schedule and previous flight experience. For full-time students at a structured flight academy, it’s possible to complete training in as little as 2 to 4 weeks. Part-time students, flying around work or school commitments, typically take 1 to 2 months to finish.

Instrument training can be pursued immediately after earning your Private Pilot License (PPL) or as part of an integrated Commercial Pilot License (CPL) program. Many students begin right after their PPL to maintain momentum and reinforce flight fundamentals while they’re still fresh.

The FAA also allows a portion of the required 40 hours of instrument time to be logged in approved flight simulators, making training more flexible and affordable—especially in busy airspace or during poor weather days.

Regardless of your schedule, the key is consistency. Meeting the instrument rating requirements quickly is all about frequent flying, regular ground study, and staying sharp between lessons.

Can International Students Get an Instrument Rating in the USA?

Yes—international students can absolutely meet the instrument rating requirements and earn this certification in the United States, provided they train through an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school and complete all required security steps.

To begin, international students must apply for an M-1 student visa and complete the TSA clearance process, which includes background checks and fingerprinting. Once approved, they can begin training toward their instrument rating just like any U.S. student.

Schools like Florida Flyers Flight Academy offer structured programs specifically designed for international students, with training plans that align with both FAA and visa guidelines. These programs include all required flight hours, simulator time, and checkride preparation, allowing global students to meet FAA standards efficiently.

For international pilots looking to elevate their skills, train in real-world IFR environments, and build FAA-approved credentials, the U.S. remains one of the most recognized and accessible places to meet instrument rating requirements.

Cost of Instrument Rating Training

Meeting the instrument rating requirements involves both time and financial planning. On average, students can expect to pay between $8,000 and $13,000 for the full course of instrument training in the USA. The exact cost depends on several factors, including the type of aircraft used, instructor fees, fuel costs, and how many hours are required to achieve proficiency.

One way to reduce the overall expense is by logging a portion of your required 40 hours of instrument time in an FAA-approved flight simulator. Sim time is significantly less expensive than flying actual aircraft and is a practical way to sharpen skills like navigation, approach procedures, and communication with ATC.

Many students also complete their instrument training as part of a bundled Commercial Pilot License (CPL) program, which can offer better value through packaged pricing. These integrated programs allow students to meet both commercial and instrument rating requirements under a single training track, often with better access to financing and scheduling support.

Conclusion

Meeting the instrument rating requirements isn’t just about earning another certification—it’s about mastering the skills that set professional pilots apart. Whether you’re flying toward a career in commercial aviation or simply want to operate more confidently in all weather conditions, this rating is essential for safety, flexibility, and credibility in the cockpit.

With the right training plan, consistent flight time, and access to modern simulators, you can complete your instrument rating efficiently and affordably.

Ready to move forward? Explore Florida Flyers’ instrument training options and ask about our CPL + Instrument Rating bundled programs designed to fast-track your aviation goals.

FAQ: Instrument Rating Requirements

Can I get my instrument rating without a PPL?

No. One of the FAA’s core instrument rating requirements is that you must hold at least a Private Pilot License (PPL) before beginning instrument training.

How many hours are needed for an instrument rating?

You must log a minimum of 40 hours of instrument time, including at least 15 hours with a Certified Instrument Instructor (CFII). This is part of the FAA’s standard instrument rating requirements for certification.

Does instrument time in a simulator count?

Yes. The FAA allows a portion of your instrument time to be logged in a simulator, provided it’s an FAA-approved AATD or FTD. This can help reduce training costs while still meeting official instrument rating requirements.

Is the instrument checkride difficult?

The instrument checkride is comprehensive, covering both theory and practical application under simulated IFR conditions. With proper preparation and consistent training, most students find it challenging but achievable.

Can international students earn an instrument rating in the USA?

Yes. International students can earn this rating by training through a Part 141 FAA-approved flight school and completing TSA clearance. They must meet the same instrument rating requirements as U.S. students.

Contact the Florida Flyers Flight Academy Team today at (904) 209-3510 to learn more about how to do the foreign pilot license conversion in 4 steps.