![What skills and knowledge do pilots master to obtain the CFII, and how long does it take? [Credit: Shutterstock]](https://tbh.express/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/How-Long-Does-It-Take-to-Get-the-CFII.jpg "How Long Does It Take to Get the CFII?")
Question: I just got my CFI ticket, airplane, single-engine land, and I am having trouble finding a job because the flight schools prefer to hire instructors who also have the CFII. How long does it take to get the CFII? What do I have to know?
Answer: Of all the instructor ratings, the CFI-Instrument (CFII) is the easiest to get in part because it is an add-on if you already hold a CFI rating. To be an instrument instructor you need to be able to teach the approaches and have an instructor level of knowledge about the IFR system and weather.
