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66.A.70 establishes the framework for converting existing national aircraft maintenance licences issued by EU Member States into EASA Part 66 licences, including the process for addressing any gaps between national and EASA standards.
What it means in practice
When EASA Part 66 replaced the various national licensing systems across Europe, a conversion mechanism was needed so that experienced engineers did not have to start from scratch. 66.A.70 provides this pathway. If you held a valid national aircraft maintenance licence issued by a Member State in accordance with the national requirements that existed before Part 66 came into force, you could apply to have it converted to a Part 66 licence.
The conversion is not automatic. The competent authority must assess the national licence against Part 66 standards and identify any gaps in knowledge or experience. Where gaps exist, the applicant may be required to pass additional examinations or demonstrate additional experience before the Part 66 licence is issued. A conversion report is produced that documents the comparison and any additional requirements.
Key requirements
The competent authority must publish or make available a conversion report that details how national licence categories and endorsements map to Part 66 categories and type ratings. This report identifies which Part 66 modules are considered covered by the national training and which require additional examination.
Applicants seeking conversion must submit their existing national licence, evidence of their qualifications under the national system, and any additional documentation required by the conversion report. The competent authority then issues the Part 66 licence with the appropriate categories and type ratings, subject to any limitations arising from the conversion assessment. Time limits for conversion applications were set by Member States, and in many cases the conversion window has now closed for initial conversions.
Common compliance gaps
A historical but still relevant issue is incomplete conversion documentation. Some engineers converted their licences early in the EASA transition period when processes were less standardised, and the records of what was assessed and credited may be incomplete. When these engineers later apply for additional type ratings or category upgrades, gaps in their conversion records can create difficulties in establishing what basic knowledge requirements have already been met. Maintaining a complete personal file of all conversion documentation is important for long-term licence management.
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