State Alchemist License

The path taken by the Elric brothers after passing the State Alchemist examination.

Edward and Alphonse Elric burn down their family home in Resembool to signify their determination with "no turning back" before traveling to the capital city. There, they aim to become government-sanctioned State Alchemists under the direction of Colonel Roy Mustang. After successfully passing the exam, Edward is officially dubbed the "Fullmetal Alchemist." This title allows them to begin their quest to regain their full bodies using the fabled Philosopher's Stone.

Quick Facts

Notable holder: Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Lore & Background

In Amestris, becoming a State Alchemist requires passing an exam that grants government sanction. For Edward and Alphonse, this status is the gateway to their primary goal: finding the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies. After losing his left leg and sacrificing his right arm in a failed human transmutation attempt to revive their mother Trisha, Ed received automail prosthetics from Winry Rockbell. The brothers then traveled to become State Alchemists, a move that places them under military direction while they investigate a deep government conspiracy involving homunculi.

Reader's Guide

To become a State Alchemist in Amestris, one must pass an exam. Edward Elric passed this examination to earn his title as the "Fullmetal Alchemist." This status allows him to operate under the direction of Colonel Roy Mustang while searching for the Philosopher's Stone. The position is central to their quest to regain their original bodies after a failed human transmutation left Alphonse bound to armor and Edward with automail limbs.

Did You Know?

The series aired a total of 64 episodes on MBS, TBS and its affiliates from April 2009 to July 2010.
The series was directed by Yasuhiro Irie and written by Hiroshi Ōnogi, with music composed by Akira Senju.
Funimation originally licensed the series in North America before its license expired in March 2016.