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This page is general regulatory information, not legal or certification advice.
Short answer
A Designated Engineering Representative (DER) is a private individual appointed by the FAA under 14 CFR 183.29 to find that engineering data complies with airworthiness standards. A DER holds an engineering degree or equivalent, has the technical knowledge and experience required, and meets the qualification requirements of FAA Order 8000.95.
Definition and scope
The FAA describes Engineering and Flight Test designees as the people responsible for finding that engineering data complies with the appropriate airworthiness standards; these designees are called DERs. Under 14 CFR 183.29, a DER may approve information only “within limits prescribed by and under the general supervision of the Administrator”. The FAA’s DER Handbook, Order 8110.37G (effective 17 September 2026, cancelling Order 8110.37F of 31 August 2017), states that it prescribes working procedures for certification branches and the DERs they appoint to represent the FAA Administrator.
Appointment is a privilege, not an entitlement: the handbook says designation “is a privilege granted by the Administrator. It is not the right of every qualified applicant.” The certification branch manager selects DERs, and DERs are appointed by the certification branch they applied to.
How a DER works in practice
- Same procedures as FAA engineers. Order 8110.37G requires a DER to follow the same procedures an FAA engineer follows when performing compliance-finding functions, such as those in Orders 8110.4, 8110.42 and 8300.16.
- Form 8110-3. The handbook says FAA Form 8110-3 is used only to document a DER’s finding of compliance. Reviews of other certification documents, for example Project-Specific Certification Plans, are logged in the FAA’s DMS as “non-8110-3 activity”, and acceptance or approval of those documents must still be done by the FAA.
- FAA contact. A managing specialist in the same technical discipline is the DER’s FAA contact.
- Why the system exists. The handbook notes that DER participation can reduce FAA workload and lets the FAA use its limited resources more effectively.
- Training. Selection, appointment, training and management of DERs are covered in Order 8000.95, Designee Management Policy; training is in its Volume 9.
Types of DER
Company DER and consultant DER
| Type | Whom the DER acts for | What the FAA page says |
|---|---|---|
| Company DER | The employer only | May only approve, or recommend approval of, technical data to the FAA for the company. |
| Consultant DER | Independent of one employer | May approve, or recommend approval of, technical data to the FAA; consultant DERs appear in the FAA Designee Locator. |
Source: FAA DER page (last updated 5 October 2026), read 8 November 2026.
Disciplines
The FAA DER page lists these disciplines: Acoustical, Engine, Flight Analyst, Flight Test Pilot, Power Plant, Propeller, Radio, Structural, and Systems and Equipment Engineering. Order 8110.37G lists its own set: structural; powerplant; electrical systems and equipment; mechanical systems and equipment; engine; propeller; flight analyst; flight test pilot; and acoustical. The two lists differ, so check the current version of each source for the discipline you need. Some authorities are narrower than the discipline name suggests: under 14 CFR 183.29, a flight test pilot representative may make flight tests and approve flight test information, and an acoustical representative may not determine that a type design change is not an acoustical change.
Where it matters for engineering and testing organisations
The authority chain
- 14 CFR part 183 (section 183.29): the regulation that lets the FAA designate private persons as engineering representatives, with limits and general FAA supervision.
- FAA Order 8000.95: designee management policy covering selection, appointment, training and management, including the qualification requirements.
- FAA Order 8110.37G: the DER Handbook with the working procedures DERs and certification branches follow.
Independence and liability
Order 8110.37G says a DER must have the ability to maintain the highest degree of objectivity, and that a company must afford its company DER that independence. This parallels the way research integrity frameworks treat a conflict of interest. The handbook also states that a DER is not an FAA employee, is not federally protected for the work done or decisions made, and is subject to general tort law.
For related context on the wider regulatory environment, see CASRAI’s guides on aviation safety management systems, the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center and aerospace engineering research and careers.
Common misunderstandings
- A DER is an FAA employee. No. The handbook says a DER is not an FAA employee and is not federally protected for the decisions made.
- Any qualified engineer can become a DER. No. Qualification is necessary, but designation is a privilege granted by the Administrator.
- A DER can approve anything in a certification project. No. Authority is limited by 14 CFR 183.29 and the appointment, and the FAA must still do acceptance or approval of documents outside a DER’s compliance finding.
- Form 8110-3 documents any DER review. No. It is used only for a finding of compliance.
- Company and consultant DERs have the same scope. A company DER acts only for the employer.
FAQ
What does a DER do?
A DER finds that engineering data complies with the applicable airworthiness standards on behalf of the FAA, and approves it or recommends approval to the FAA within the limits of the appointment.
Who appoints a DER?
The FAA, through the certification branch the applicant applied to, under 14 CFR 183.29 and Order 8000.95.
What is the difference between a company DER and a consultant DER?
A company DER acts only for their employer; a consultant DER is independent and approves or recommends approval of technical data to the FAA.
Where do I find a DER?
The FAA Designee Locator searches individual designees, including consultant DERs.
Sources
- FAA, Designated Engineering Representative (DER), faa.gov, last updated 5 October 2026, read 8 November 2026: faa.gov DER page
- FAA Order 8110.37G, Designated Engineering Representative (DER) Handbook, effective 17 September 2026, read 8 November 2026: Order 8110.37G (PDF)
- 14 CFR 183.29, Representatives of the Administrator, read 8 November 2026: law.cornell.edu
