✈️ Commercial Pilot License Requirements by State

Compare commercial pilot license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level commercial pilot license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $175–$175. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$175	$117,128
AKAlaska	Required	—	$175	$166,941
AZArizona	Required	—	$175	$130,591
ARArkansas	Required	—	$175	$113,089
CACalifornia	Required	—	$175	$185,789
COColorado	Required	—	$175	$145,400
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$175	$154,824
DEDelaware	Required	—	$175	$134,630
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$175	$172,326
FLFlorida	Required	—	$175	$129,244
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$175	$125,205
HIHawaii	Required	—	$175	$181,750
IDIdaho	Required	—	$175	$126,552
ILIllinois	Required	—	$175	$141,361
INIndiana	Required	—	$175	$122,513
IAIowa	Required	—	$175	$119,820
KSKansas	Required	—	$175	$119,820
KYKentucky	Required	—	$175	$119,820
LALouisiana	Required	—	$175	$121,167
MEMaine	Required	—	$175	$130,591
MDMaryland	Required	—	$175	$146,746
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$175	$164,248
MIMichigan	Required	—	$175	$126,552
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$175	$140,015
MSMississippi	Required	—	$175	$111,742
MOMissouri	Required	—	$175	$121,167
MTMontana	Required	—	$175	$129,244
NENebraska	Required	—	$175	$121,167
NVNevada	Required	—	$175	$137,322
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$175	$140,015
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$175	$158,863
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$175	$122,513
NYNew York	Required	—	$175	$175,019
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$175	$123,859
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$175	$127,898
OHOhio	Required	—	$175	$123,859
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$175	$117,128
OROregon	Required	—	$175	$148,093
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$175	$131,937
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$175	$138,668
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$175	$122,513
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$175	$118,474
TNTennessee	Required	—	$175	$121,167
TXTexas	Required	—	$175	$126,552
UTUtah	Required	—	$175	$130,591
VTVermont	Required	—	$175	$135,976
VAVirginia	Required	—	$175	$137,322
WAWashington	Required	—	$175	$158,863
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$175	$115,781
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$175	$126,552
WYWyoming	Required	—	$175	$127,898

Common questions about commercial pilot licensing

Do all states require a commercial pilot license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level commercial pilot license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a commercial pilot license?

Application fees across the states range $175–$175. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a commercial pilot license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.