The Instrument Rating Requirements, as specified in 14 CFR 61.65 are summarized here:​

A person who applies for an instrument rating must:

• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate with an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought.

• Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.

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You must have logged the following:

• At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. At least 10 of these hours must be in airplanes for an instrument-airplane rating.

• A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of operation listed in 61.65(c)

• At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for the instrument rating sought.

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