- ACE-AO is 100 questions in 120 minutes, and 70 correct answers (70%) is the passing score.
- Standard enrollment is $555; the student rate is $395 with a current schedule submitted at registration.
- AAAE recommends 90+ days of prep, and you must sit the exam within 26 months of enrolling.
- The exam is closed-book and remotely proctored via TopClass - webcam, mic, and photo ID required.
Quick Refresher: What ACE-AO Actually Certifies
ACE-AO stands for Airport Certified Employee - Airfield Operations, a credential administered by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). It's built around FAR Part 139 airport certification requirements and validates that the holder understands how a certificated airport operates day to day - from self-inspections to snow removal to wildlife hazard management. If you want the long-form explanation of what the letters mean and how the program fits into an airfield operations career, see What Is ACE-AO?, ACE-AO Meaning, and What Does ACE-AO Stand For?. This page skips the background and gives you the condensed, printable-style reference you'd want taped next to your monitor the night before your test.
Exam Format at a Glance
Every number on this list comes straight from AAAE's exam program, so memorize this table before you memorize anything else.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Question count | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% (70 correct answers) |
| Delivery format | Closed-book, remotely proctored via TopClass |
| Retake fee | $75 per failed attempt |
| Enrollment validity | Exam must be taken within 26 months of enrollment |
That works out to roughly 1.2 minutes per question, which is generous compared to many professional exams - but only if you're not stopping to re-derive Part 139 concepts from scratch. For a deeper breakdown of what makes this pacing manageable or brutal depending on your background, read How Hard Is the ACE-AO Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026. If you want the exact passing-score math explained further, see ACE-AO Passing Score 2026, and for what the outcome data actually shows, check ACE-AO Pass Rate 2026.
Fees, Enrollment, and Deadlines
Budget and timeline questions trip up more candidates than the content itself. Keep these figures straight:
- Standard enrollment: $555 for both members and non-members of AAAE.
- Student rate: $395, but you must submit a current course schedule at the time of registration.
- What's included: electronic study modules and one exam attempt. AAAE membership is optional and not required to enroll.
- What costs extra: review courses, printed materials, and the optional official Blank Slate ACE Operations flashcard app, priced at $150 for 90 days of access.
- Retake fee: $75 if you don't pass on the first attempt.
- Hard deadline: the exam must be completed within 26 months of enrollment, so don't let a busy operations season eat your window.
Budgeting Tip
If your airport or employer is footing the bill, confirm whether they'll also cover the Blank Slate app or a review course - those are separate line items from the $555 (or $395 student) enrollment fee.
- Enrollment fee = modules + one exam attempt only
- Flashcard app and printed materials are optional add-ons
- Retakes are billed separately at $75 each
For a full pricing walkthrough with every add-on itemized, see ACE-AO Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. And if you're unsure whether you're even eligible to enroll yet, review ACE-AO Requirements 2026 before you submit payment.
The Part 139 Domain Cheat Sheet
ACE-AO content maps directly to FAR Part 139 airport certification obligations. Instead of vague "study everything" advice, use these condensed domain reminders as your review checklist.
Airport Certification Manual (ACM), Records & Personnel
Know what the ACM contains, how it's maintained, and how airport personnel records tie back to certification compliance.
- ACM as the airport's governing compliance document
- Recordkeeping obligations tied to Part 139
Self-Inspections & Airfield Surfaces
Understand inspection frequency logic, what surface conditions get flagged, and how findings get documented and escalated.
- Runway/taxiway surface distress indicators
- Documentation flow from inspection to corrective action
Markings, Signs & Lighting
Be able to identify standard airfield markings, signage categories, and lighting systems and explain their operational purpose.
- Mandatory vs. informational signage
- Lighting systems tied to approach and runway operations
Snow & Ice Control
Know snow removal priorities, chemical/mechanical treatment basics, and how winter operations plans get activated.
- Priority sequencing for clearing surfaces
- Coordination between operations and maintenance during events
ARFF, Hazmat & Emergency Planning
Understand aircraft rescue and firefighting response expectations, hazardous materials handling basics, and the structure of an airport emergency plan.
- ARFF index concepts and response roles
- Emergency plan components and activation triggers
Pedestrians, Vehicles & Wildlife Hazards
Know movement-area access control principles and how wildlife hazard management programs reduce strike risk.
- Driver training and access control basics
- Wildlife hazard assessment triggers
Obstructions, Construction & Condition Reporting
Be ready to explain obstruction evaluation, construction safety phasing, and how airport condition information gets reported.
- NOTAM-relevant condition reporting concepts
- Construction safety and phasing coordination
Safety Management Systems (Part 139 Subpart E)
Understand SMS fundamentals as codified under Part 139 Subpart E, including risk-based safety culture concepts.
- Core SMS components
- How SMS supports the rest of the Part 139 program
This list mirrors the certification's real content areas but is intentionally condensed for review purposes. For the fully expanded breakdown of every content area with study emphasis notes, see ACE-AO Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All Content Areas.
Key Takeaway
Don't study these topics in isolation - the exam tends to test how they interact (e.g., a self-inspection finding that triggers a condition report and a construction safety response). Practice questions that chain concepts together, not just recall.
Test-Day Rules You Can't Forget
The exam is delivered through TopClass with recorded remote proctoring, and the format is strict:
- Closed-book: no notes, manuals, or reference materials during the exam window.
- Equipment required: a working computer, webcam, and microphone for proctoring.
- ID required: a government-issued photo ID for identity verification before you start.
- Environment: expect proctoring software to monitor your space, so clear your desk and test area in advance.
Last-Mile Study Plan
If you're within a couple of weeks of your exam date, don't restart a full study program - triage. Spend your remaining time on the domains most likely to trip you up (commonly SMS under Subpart E and wildlife hazard/condition reporting, since they're newer or more procedural than the "obvious" domains like markings and signage).
High-Yield Review
- Re-read ACM structure and self-inspection triggers
- Drill SMS (Subpart E) terminology until it's automatic
- Run timed practice sets on the ACE-AO practice test site to rebuild pacing at ~1.2 minutes/question
Confidence Pass
- Reread this cheat sheet, not new material
- Confirm TopClass login, webcam, and ID are ready
- Light review only - avoid cramming new domains the night before
For a full week-by-week plan built from day one of enrollment rather than the final stretch, use the ACE-AO Study Guide 2026 as your primary roadmap.
Who This Credential Actually Serves
ACE-AO is aimed at people working in or entering airfield operations roles at Part 139 certificated airports - operations agents, airfield safety coordinators, and staff responsible for inspections, wildlife programs, or SMS compliance. It's a resume signal that you understand the regulatory backbone airports operate under, not a generic aviation credential. If you're weighing whether it's worth the enrollment cost against career upside, read Is the ACE-AO Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and ACE-AO Salary Guide 2026. For where the credential shows up in actual hiring, browse ACE-AO Jobs and ACE-AO Training.
Once you're enrolled, don't lose track of your window - enrollment locks you into taking the exam within 26 months, and scheduling slips happen. Check ACE-AO Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling so you're not racing that deadline at the last minute. And if you want a broader orientation to the credential before your final review, ACE-AO Certification covers the program end to end.
FAQ
The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions with a 120-minute time limit, administered through TopClass with remote proctoring.
You need 70% correct, meaning at least 70 of the 100 questions answered correctly.
Standard enrollment is $555 for members and non-members alike. A $395 student rate is available if you submit a current course schedule at registration.
You can retake it for a $75 fee, provided you're still within the 26-month window from your original enrollment date.
No. It's an optional official study tool priced at $150 for 90 days of access; enrollment only includes electronic study modules and one exam attempt.
Bookmark this page and revisit it in the final days before your exam - the goal isn't to relearn Part 139 from scratch here, it's to confirm the numbers, deadlines, and domain names are locked into memory before you sit down in front of the TopClass proctor.