Different institutes and countries have their specific requirements for enrolling into Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) programs. However the general requirement is that students must have completed their 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Some institutes also accept candidates who have a diploma in engineering or equivalent credentials. Most enrollees are aged 16 to 28 years. Many students also take a medical fitness examination which is sanctioned by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) or their countries’ aviation authority. Most institutions also conduct entrance exams to test a candidate’s viability for the program, and admission is granted based on merit from those exams or board results.
Besides academic qualifications, someone who wants to apply for an AME program should be very good at analyzing and solving problems, and must also possess a strong interest in aircraft mechanics. It is necessary that students check that the institution is approved by the country's aviation authority, such as DGCA in India, FAA in the USA, or EASA in Europe, because AME is a very technical and regulated field. License-type programs can last up to four years in some countries.