A type rating is a type of aircraft certification that is granted by aviation authorities to pilots who have completed training and testing on a specific type of aircraft. This type of certification allows the pilot to operate that type of aircraft. In order to maintain their type rating, pilots must complete recurrent training and testing every six or twelve months, depending on the regulatory body.
A type rating can be either a single type rating or a multi-engine type rating. With a single type rating, the pilot is certified to fly only that type of aircraft. With a multi-engine type rating, the pilot is certified to fly multiple types of aircraft, but at least one of those aircraft must have more than one engine.