We use necessary cookies to make our website work. We'd also like to use optional cookies to understand how you use it, and to help us improve it.

For more information, please read our cookie policy.

UK Civil Aviation Authority

We would like to hear from you

The CAA is committed to improving how we deliver services, help us by completing a short survey about your experiences today

Apply for an Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)

The IMC rating can be added to a Part-FCL PPL(A), CPL(A) and ATPL(A). It cannot be added the LAPL(A). 

IMC rating privileges are contained within UK CPL(A) and ATPL(A) licences (this does not include Part-FCL licences). There is no requirement for a separate IMC Certificate of Test for these licences. UK PPL(A) and NPPL(A) can add the IMC privilege. 

The IMC rating was endorsed onto Part-FCL licences as an IR(R). This changed on 1st October 2025. The IR(R) was renamed IMC. Pilots who hold an IR(R) can continue exercising the privileges. Your licence will be re-issued with an IMC the next time you apply to the CAA for licensing action e.g. change of address or adding a rating.

Exercise of Privileges

The IMC rating may not be used in the airspace of any other country unless permission to do so has been given by the appropriate authority of that country.

Pre-Requisites

Applicants for the IMC rating must:

  • hold a valid UK issued Flight Radio Telephony Operator Licence (FRTOL)

  • have 25 hours of total experience as pilot of aeroplanes, following the PPL issue or NPPL (SEP) issue. 10 of these hours must be as Pilot in Command and include 5 hours as Pilot in Command on cross-country flights

Training

Training for the IMC rating is permitted outside the UK provided that the flying training is conducted by an organisation that is approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for such purposes.

Instruction on the course may only be given by a UK approved IRI or FI who is qualified to teach applied instrument flying.

The skill test can only be conducted by a UK approved examiner.

Validity period

The IMC rating is valid for a period of 25 months after the last day of the month in which the test was successfully passed.

For the initial issue of an IMC rating, the theoretical knowledge exam is valid for 12 months to complete the skill test. The skill test is valid for 9 months for the issue of the rating. This means an application to the CAA to add the IMC rating to a licence, must be submitted within 9 months of taking the skills test.

Credits

The holder of a BIFM certificate may have the total amount of flight training reduced by 10 hours. We must have sight of the BIFM certificate, and the credit must be clearly annotated on the course completion certificate.

Credits towards the grant of the IMC rating based on being a Qualified Military Pilot (QMP) can be found in Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS).

  • An applicant who has held an ICAO IR(A) or a UK professional pilots licence aeroplanes within the 10 years before the date of application for the IMC Rating is not required to undergo a course of flight or ground training but must pass the TK examination and the initial IMC Rating Skill Test.
  • An applicant who has held an ICAO IR(A) or a UK professional pilot licence aeroplanes or a valid Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Ground Instructors Certificate within the 5 years before the date of application for the IMC Rating will be credited with a pass in the Theoretical Knowledge Examination.

An applicant with a valid pass in all subjects for the Part-FCL ATPL(A), ATPL(H), CPL(A), CPL(H), IR(A) or IR(H) theoretical knowledge examinations will be credited the IMC Rating Theoretical Knowledge Examination. A pass in these examinations will be accepted for the grant of the IMC Rating for a period of 36 months from the end of the month in which a pass in all the required subjects was gained. The acceptance period of the pass for the grant of the Part-FCL professional licence or instrument rating is NOT extended upon issue of the IMC Rating.

How to Apply

Once all of the requirements have been met, complete online application form SRG1125.

You will need to upload the following supporting evidence as part of the application:

  • Examiner report SRG1176
  • A copy of your licence
  • Course Completion Certificate (CAA5019) 
  • Copies of your flying logbook(s).

UK military pilots need to additionally submit completed form SRG2133.

Pilots applying on the basis of holding a single pilot IR on a Third Country ICAO licence will also need to submit the following paperwork: 

  • Third country verification online application SRG2142
  • Copy of valid ICAO licence and medical
  • ICAO logbooks pages

If your licence has been signed up in the field, there is no need to make an application. However, you must ensure that your examiner emails the paperwork to licenceapplications@caa.co.uk, so this can be stored on your file. 

If your examiner has not endorsed your licence, you will need to submit online application form SRG1125 for us to reissue your licence. You will need to provide the following as supporting evidence during the application:

  • Examiner report SRG1176
  • A copy of your licence

If your licence has been signed up in the field, there is no need to make an application. However, you must ensure that your examiner emails the paperwork to licenceapplications@caa.co.uk, so this can be stored on your file. 

If your licence was not endorsed by your examiner, or the rating is on the back of your licence, you need to submit an application to the CAA using online application form SRG1125.

You will need to provide the following as supporting evidence during the application:

  • Examiner report SRG1176
  • A copy of your licence
  • Course Completion Certificate (CAA5019)

Guidance on documentation

For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, refer to guidance on documentation.

Cost

Additional fees will apply if you want your documents returned by secure courier.

Processing time (On receipt of all required information)

We endeavour to process licence applications within 10 working days.

Incomplete applications are not subject to the 10 working day turnaround until all application requirements are met.

What to expect

  • Once all paperwork has been received, the application will undergo a full assessment from a Flight Crew Licensing Officer
  • Following an acceptable assessment, your licence will be processed, signed and dispatched.
  • We will contact you if we have any queries regarding your application and may keep your application pending while additional requirements are met.
  • An assessment and refund fee may be charged if the UK CAA rejects your application for not meeting all of the requirements. This will also be applied if you choose to cancel your application.

Associated Rules, Regulations and Forms

Contact us

Email: fclweb@caa.co.uk (preferred)

Telephone: 0330 022 1972 (Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30)

Licensing Department
Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Beehive Ring Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH6 0YR