FAA Confirms Timeline For Adding Examiners To ODA Program

The FAA plans to expand its Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program to incorporate designated examiners, providing a much-needed expansion of access to designated examiners for aviation technician school graduates seeking certification.

An Oct. 13 letter from the FAA to ATEC confirmed that a draft revision to FAA Order 8100.15, is being reviewed internally.
"The FAA anticipates the revised order will be available for public comment this fall, and we expect to publish the final order in the first half of 2024," Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety David Boulter wrote. "After publication, the FAA will accept applications from interested organizations that qualify for this new ODA type."

Boulter's letter came in response to one from the council reiterating the move's importance and requesting a timeline (Read Here). He confirmed that the new order is both on the way and will be supported by related materials out of AVS-60, the FAA's ODA office.

"[AVS-60] is actively pursuing outreach and education opportunities and developing materials to help implement the revised order," Boulter wrote.
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Access to FAA-designated examiners has long been one of the biggest hurdles keeping aviation technician school graduates from earning certification--and one of ATEC's top priorities as a result. ATEC has been pushing for a solution, urging the agency to follow through on a meeting held five years ago where it pledged to expand ODA to allow air agency certificate holders, including part 147 schools, to designate examiners.