Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of September 9, 2026, from the Directorate of the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 12, 2026 (BOE) |
| Entry into force | October 13, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Aircraft maintenance technicians and applicants for the Aircraft Maintenance License (LMA) in Spain |
| Category | Public Sector / Aviation Regulation |
| Repealed regulations | AESA Resolutions from 2017 on electronic LMA exams |
| European framework | Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014 |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-21215 |
From October 13, 2026, aircraft maintenance technicians and LMA applicants in Spain operate under a new regulatory framework. The Resolution of September 9, 2026 from AESA repeals the 2017 resolutions and comprehensively redefines the procedure for electronic theoretical knowledge exams for obtaining the Aircraft Maintenance License (LMA). The change is significant: it affects the organization, access, registration and categories covered, aligning with Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution exhaustively regulates the system of electronic theoretical knowledge exams for the LMA. The key elements are detailed below:
License categories covered
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Line maintenance technician (mechanic) |
| B1 | Maintenance technician (mechanic/structures) |
| B2 | Maintenance technician (avionics) |
| B2L | Maintenance technician avionics with limitations |
| B3 | Maintenance technician for non-pressurized piston aircraft |
| L | Maintenance technician for light aircraft |
Types of exams regulated
- Ordinary exams for obtaining the LMA in all the above categories.
- Limitation removal exams to expand the scope of an already obtained license.
- Difference exams to certify specific knowledge about aircraft types.
- Iberia-specific exams (limitation removal and differences).
- EADS/Airbus-specific exams (limitation removal and differences).
Access requirements
- Ordinary exams: legal age (18 years old).
- Limitation removal and difference exams: holding a prior LMA license or having passed the corresponding national exam.
Registration procedure
Registration is conducted entirely online through the AESA portal, with no need to submit prior documentation at the time of registration. This is one of the most relevant changes compared to the 2017 framework, which simplifies the process for candidates.
Comparison with previous regulation
| Aspect | 2017 Resolutions (repealed) | 2026 Resolution (in force) |
|---|---|---|
| Reference regulatory framework | 2017 national regulation | Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014 |
| Candidate registration | With prior documentation | Online on AESA portal, without prior documentation |
| Specific exams covered | General framework | Explicitly includes Iberia and EADS/Airbus |
| Validity | Repealed from 13/10/2026 | From 13/10/2026 |
Economic and operational impact
The resolution does not establish new fees or modify direct economic amounts. Its impact is fundamentally operational and compliance-related for organizations in the aviation sector:
- Training and HR departments of MROs (approved maintenance organizations) and airlines must update their internal license management procedures to reflect the new framework.
- Administrative simplification: online registration without prior documentation reduces bureaucratic burden for candidates and for training departments managing collective registrations.
- Exam planning: companies with technicians pending obtaining or expanding their LMA must review exam schedules under AESA's new procedural framework.
- Iberia and EADS/Airbus-specific exams: the explicit inclusion of these exams in the resolution provides legal certainty to companies operating Airbus fleets and their maintenance providers.
Who does it affect?
- Aircraft maintenance technicians who want to obtain or expand their LMA in any of the categories A, B1, B2, B2L, B3 or L.
- LMA applicants preparing for electronic theoretical exams in Spain.
- Approved maintenance organizations (MROs) that manage the training and qualification of their technical staff.
- Airlines and air operators with their own maintenance departments, especially those linked to Iberia and EADS/Airbus.
- Aviation training centers that prepare candidates for LMA exams.
- HR and training departments in the aviation sector that manage qualifications and licenses for technical staff.
Practical example
A maintenance technician working at a Spanish MRO who wants to expand his B1 license to include Airbus A320 aircraft must pass a difference exam under AESA's new framework.
Under the previous regulation (2017 resolutions), the registration process required submitting prior documentation. Under the new 2026 resolution, the technician can register directly on AESA's online portal without needing to submit documentation at the time of registration. The only prior requirement he must meet is having his LMA B1 license in force (or having passed the corresponding national exam), since this is a difference exam and not an ordinary exam.
For the company, this means that the training department can manage the registrations of several technicians more efficiently, without having to collect and send physical or digitized documentation for each candidate before registration.
What should companies do now?
- Review the status of technical staff's LMA licenses: identify which technicians have pending obtaining or expanding their license and in which category (A, B1, B2, B2L, B3 or L).
- Update internal license management procedures: training and HR departments must reflect AESA's new procedural framework in their manuals and workflows.
- Familiarize yourself with AESA's new registration portal: online registration without prior documentation changes the usual flow; it is advisable to test the process before the first registration under the new system.
- Verify access requirements according to exam type: legal age for ordinary exams; prior license or passed national exam for limitation and difference exams.
- Plan Iberia and EADS/Airbus-specific exams if the maintained fleet includes aircraft from these manufacturers, taking advantage of the legal certainty provided by the new resolution.
- Consult the full text of the resolution in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-21215) to learn all the details of the new organizational and procedural framework.
Frequently asked questions
What LMA license categories does AESA's new 2026 resolution cover?
The resolution covers all categories of the Aircraft Maintenance License: A, B1, B2, B2L, B3 and L. Additionally, it regulates limitation removal and difference exams, including those specific to Iberia and EADS/Airbus.
How does a candidate register for the LMA exam with AESA's new system?
Registration is conducted entirely online through the AESA portal, with no need to submit prior documentation at the time of registration. This is one of the most relevant changes compared to the 2017 framework.
When does the new regulation for electronic LMA exams enter into force?
The resolution entered into force on October 13, 2026, the day after its publication in the BOE (October 12, 2026). The 2017 resolutions are repealed from that date.
What requirements must be met to access limitation removal or difference exams?
For limitation removal and difference exams (including those specific to Iberia and EADS/Airbus), it is necessary to hold a prior LMA license or have passed the corresponding national exam. For ordinary exams, the only requirement is legal age.
What European regulation supports this AESA resolution?
The resolution complies with Regulation (EU) No. 1321/2014, which establishes the European framework for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, components and equipment.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21215
