> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to Manage Technician Attestations
> Record maintenance releases with technician certificate verification and digital attestations for return-to-service sign-offs.
By following this guide, you will register technician credentials in PlaneConnection, verify
certificate types and numbers, record digital attestations for maintenance releases, track
IA authorization expiration dates, and maintain an auditable record of who signed off on
each maintenance action.
**Who should read this:** Directors of maintenance, quality assurance managers, and HR/training
managers responsible for maintaining records of technician qualifications and ensuring only
authorized persons approve aircraft for return to service.
**Required permission:** `maintenance_ops` -- read to view, update to register and verify
technician credentials.
**Regulatory basis:** 14 CFR 43.3 defines persons authorized to perform maintenance,
preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration. 14 CFR 43.7 defines persons authorized
to approve aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts
for return to service. 14 CFR 43.9(a)(4) requires each maintenance record entry to include
the signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the
work.
## Certificate Types
PlaneConnection tracks four categories of FAA maintenance certificates:
| Type | Full Name | Authority |
| --------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| AP | Airframe & Powerplant | May perform and approve maintenance work |
| IA | Inspection Authorization | May approve major repairs, alterations, and annual inspections |
| Repairman | Repairman Certificate | May perform maintenance as specified on the certificate |
| DME | Designated Mechanic Examiner | May administer A\&P practical tests |
IA authorizations must be renewed annually per 14 CFR 65.93. PlaneConnection tracks the
expiration date and alerts when an IA authorization is approaching renewal.
## The Technician Attestations List
Navigate to **Maintenance > Technician Attestations** to see all registered technicians.
The list shows:
| Column | Description |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Technician Name | Full name of the certificate holder |
| Certificate Type | AP, IA, Repairman, or DME |
| Certificate Number | FAA-issued certificate number |
| Verified | Whether the certificate has been independently verified |
| Verified At | Date of last verification |
| Expires At | Expiration date (IA authorizations only) |
## Register a Technician
### Open the registration form
From Technician Attestations, click **Add Technician**.
### Enter certificate details
* **Technician Name** -- Full legal name as it appears on the certificate
* **Certificate Type** -- Select AP, IA, Repairman, or DME
* **Certificate Number** -- FAA certificate number
### Set expiration (IA only)
For IA authorizations, enter the **Expires At** date. The system monitors this date and
sends alerts when the authorization is within 60 days of expiration.
### Save the record
Click **Save**. The technician appears in the attestations list with a "Not Verified" badge
until independent verification is completed.
## Verify a Certificate
Certificate verification confirms the validity of a technician's credentials:
1. Open the technician detail page
2. Click **Verify Certificate**
3. The system records the verification date and generates an attestation hash
4. The verified badge changes to green with the verification timestamp
Verify certificates against FAA records when a technician first joins your organization and
periodically thereafter. For IA holders, re-verify at each annual renewal. Verification records
support your organization's quality system and satisfy 14 CFR 145.157 personnel requirements if
operating as a repair station.
## Digital Attestations on Work Orders
When a technician signs a work order return-to-service release, the system creates a digital
attestation that links:
* The technician's verified certificate record
* The specific work order being released
* A timestamp and digital signature hash
* An entry in the record integrity hash chain
This creates an immutable, tamper-evident record that the aircraft was approved for return to
service by an authorized person per 14 CFR 43.7.
## Track IA Expiration
IA authorizations that are within 60 days of expiration show an amber warning badge. Expired
IA authorizations show a red badge and the technician can no longer be selected for actions
that require IA authority (annual inspections, major repair/alteration approvals) until the
authorization is renewed and the new expiration date is updated.
Work approved by a technician whose IA authorization has expired may not satisfy the requirements
of 14 CFR 43.7. Always verify the current status of IA authorizations before assigning annual
inspections or major repair/alteration approvals.
***
Return-to-service releases require technician attestations.
Lifecycle events on parts link to the performing technician.
Attestation hashes are anchored in the record integrity chain.
Monitor technician certificate and IA expiration status.