Can You Get a CFII as Your Initial Flight Instructor Certificate?
Yes. You can obtain a Flight Instructor Instrument-Airplane (CFII) as your initial flight instructor certificate.
That said, most applicants are asking the wrong question.
The better question is: Should you start with CFII as your initial instructor certificate?
Technically, the answer can be yes. Strategically, for most pilots, it is usually a limited path unless you already have a very specific reason for doing it.
If you are still early in the planning stage, also read How to Become a Flight Instructor.
Short Answer
Yes, CFI Academy does train applicants for CFII as an initial issue. But in most real-world cases, a CFII issued first is not the most useful instructor certificate to start with because your teaching privileges are narrower until you also add the applicable airplane category and class instructor rating, such as CFI-Airplane Single Engine or MEI.
Why This Question Comes Up
Prospective instructor applicants ask this all the time for good reason. On paper, starting with CFII can look attractive:
- Some applicants feel stronger in instrument procedures than in initial CFI airplane teaching.
- Some want a faster or more focused path into instructor certification.
- Some are planning a later add-on strategy and want to sequence ratings carefully.
None of that is unreasonable. But you need to understand the practical training and employment consequences before choosing this path.
What the FAA Regulations Say
The governing rules are primarily found in:
- 14 CFR § 61.183 – Eligibility requirements
- 14 CFR § 61.195 – Flight instructor limitations and qualifications
- FAA Chief Counsel Legal Interpretation (Grayson, Jan. 4, 2010)
Under the current rule structure, a flight instructor may not conduct flight training in an aircraft unless that instructor holds the applicable pilot and flight instructor ratings required for that training. For instrument training, the instructor must also hold the appropriate instrument rating on both the pilot certificate and the flight instructor certificate for the category and class of aircraft used.
What That Means in Plain English
If your initial instructor certificate is CFII only, that does not automatically make you broadly usable as a flight instructor.
In practical terms, most pilots who start with CFII first eventually still need to add the applicable airplane instructor rating before they become broadly employable or fully useful for normal flight training operations.
That is the part many applicants miss.
The Real Limitation of CFII as Initial Issue
A CFII-first path can be legally possible, but it is often operationally restrictive.
Why?
- You are not starting with the broad teaching privileges most schools need first.
- Your ability to provide training is narrower than applicants often assume.
- Many schools are hiring for instructors who can teach more than instrument procedures alone.
- You may still need to add CFI-ASEL or MEI before your instructor certificate becomes practically valuable in day-to-day flight training.
So yes, you can do it. But for many applicants, it is a detour, not a shortcut.
When CFII as Initial Might Make Sense
This path can make sense in a narrower set of situations, such as:
- You already have a clear plan to immediately add the appropriate airplane instructor rating afterward.
- You are pursuing a specialized training sequence for a defined employment path.
- You already understand the instructional privilege limits and are choosing the sequence intentionally.
In other words, CFII-first can work when it is part of a deliberate strategy—not when it is chosen because it merely sounds easier.
When It Usually Does Not Make Sense
For most applicants, CFII as initial issue is not the most practical place to start if your goal is to become a highly employable, highly capable instructor.
That is especially true if your goal is to:
- teach a wider range of students,
- become useful to a flight school quickly,
- build instructional confidence from the ground up, and
- develop the teaching foundation that airline-bound instructors actually need.
For most people, the better question is not “Can I do CFII first?” but rather “What sequence gives me the strongest long-term instructor foundation?”
On that point, also read CFI vs. Multi-Engine First.
CFI Academy Standard
At CFI Academy, we do not treat instructor training as a paperwork exercise.
Yes, we can train for CFII as an initial issue. But we are blunt about the bigger picture: a certificate sequence should support your real teaching ability, employability, and long-term development—not just help you technically qualify for a checkride.
That is where many schools get it wrong.
They answer the narrow regulatory question and stop there.
We do not.
Our view is simple: if a rating sequence leaves you with limited practical utility or weak teaching development, then it may be legally possible while still being the wrong strategic choice.
That is why choosing the right school matters. Read Where Should You Do Your CFI Training?.
So, Can You Use a CFII Initial Issue to Teach?
Sometimes, in limited ways, depending on what other ratings you hold and what training is being given.
But the safer planning assumption for most applicants is this:
Do not expect a CFII-only initial instructor certificate to function like a broad, stand-alone instructor career solution.
That is why many applicants who take this route still need to add CFI-ASEL or MEI before the certificate becomes truly useful in the real world.
Best Practical Conclusion
Yes, you can get your CFII as your initial flight instructor certificate.
But unless you have a very specific reason and a very clear follow-on plan, it is usually not the strongest starting point.
For most pilots, the smarter path is to choose the sequence that gives you:
- broader teaching privileges,
- stronger instructional development,
- better employability, and
- a better foundation for long-term instructor success.
If you want help deciding which path makes sense for your background, goals, and current ratings, talk to us before committing to a sequence that looks efficient on paper but creates limitations later.
Train for CFII the Right Way
If you are considering CFII as an initial issue—or trying to decide whether you should do initial CFI first—CFI Academy can help you map the right sequence based on your actual goals.
Learn more about CFII training
Explore our CFI training program
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally obtain a CFII as my first flight instructor certificate?
Yes. A CFII can be issued as an initial flight instructor certificate if you meet the applicable FAA requirements and pass the required knowledge and practical test standards.
Does a CFII initial issue give me the same practical teaching utility as starting with CFI-ASEL?
No. In most cases, a CFII-first path is more limited in day-to-day usefulness and usually does not offer the same broad instructional utility as beginning with the appropriate airplane instructor category and class rating.
Will I still need to add CFI or MEI after getting CFII first?
In many cases, yes. Most applicants who start with CFII as initial issue still need to add the applicable instructor category/class rating to become broadly useful for flight training and employment.
Is CFII as initial issue a good shortcut?
Usually no. It may be legally possible, but for most pilots it is not the strongest long-term strategy unless it fits a very specific training sequence and career plan.
How do I know which instructor rating sequence is best for me?
That depends on your current certificates, category/class ratings, intended teaching role, and employment goals. The best sequence is the one that improves both your privileges and your practical value as an instructor.
Official FAA References
Flight Instructor Training Resources
This article is part of the broader instructional resources published by CFI Academy for pilots pursuing certification as flight instructors.
