What is the difference between currency and a type rating?

• A. They are the same concept
• B. A type rating is a credential for a specific aircraft; Currency relates to recent flight experience required to exercise privileges
• C. Currency relates to cockpit layouts
• D. The type rating includes currency

Answer: (B)

A type rating is a certification tied to a specific aircraft model, proving you’re qualified to operate that aircraft’s systems, performance, and handling. Currency is about recency of flight experience required to exercise the privileges of your license or rating—it's a separate requirement that lets you legally act as pilot in command or perform certain tasks. So you can be certified to fly a particular aircraft (type rating) but not be current to fly it if you haven’t met the recent-flight requirements, and you can be current to fly a generic license category without having a type rating for any specific aircraft. The two concepts address different aspects: qualification to fly a certain aircraft vs. recency of flight activity to exercise those privileges.