Section 61.65: Instrument rating requirements
(a) General. A person who applies for an instrument rating must: 

(1) Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an airplane, helicopter,
 or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought; 
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the
 applicant is unable to meet any of these requirements due to a medical
 condition, the Administrator may place such operating limitations on the
 applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the
 aircraft; 
(3) Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or
 accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical knowledge 
areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the instrument rating
 sought; 
(4) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized
 instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required
 knowledge test; 
(5) Receive and log training on the areas of operation of paragraph (c) o
f this section from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or
 flight training device that represents an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift 
appropriate to the instrument rating sought; 
(6) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized
 instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required practical
 test; 
(7) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas of
 paragraph (b) of this section; however, an applicant is not required to take
 another knowledge test when that person already holds an instrument rating; and 
(8) Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation in paragraph (c)
 of this section in— 
(i) An airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the rating sought; or 
(ii) A flight simulator or a flight training device appropriate to the rating
 sought and for the specific maneuver or instrument approach procedure
 performed. If an approved flight training device is used for the practical test,
 the instrument approach procedures conducted in that flight training device
 are limited to one precision and one nonprecision approach, provided the
 flight training device is approved for the procedure performed.