In the United States, a student pilot certificate is issued to a pilot in training, and is a prerequisite for the student to fly alone in the aircraft.
Prior to April 1, 2016, it could be issued by a medical doctor who is also an authorized aviation medical examiner (AME), in conjunction with the student's first medical certificate. Although the classification of the certificate does not matter, it is suggested that the student get a first-class certificate, as it helps in passing more complex tests in the future.[1]
The student takes the application to their instructor, who then completes part of the application. All applications can be completed online through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s online portal. The student will fill out the remaining portion. The completed application is then sent to the FAA. After the prospective airman has been vetted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the student. A temporary certificate is available after the form has been approved (approximately seven days after submission). This temporary paper certificate is used during solo flying and until the plastic card is received in the mail.
Earning a student pilot certificate is an indication that a solo flight might be approaching even though getting one is necessary and does not always happen right before one.