There is no way to get your license without professional instruction. You should ensure that the instructors you train under are fully accredited, will be available to you for the duration of your training and have been in business for enough time to prove their credentials. Pick a school that trains in good, commercially used helicopters and has a reputation for turning out graduates promptly.
Your first goal will be qualifying for your Student Training Certificate. You can begin training immediately, but this is a good achievement to work toward, as it will allow you to fly solo. To qualify for the Student Training Certificate you must be at least 16. You must be able to speak English and hold at least a third-class valid medical certificate and FAA medical certificate.
Once you're a certified student pilot, you can work toward your Private Pilot Helicopter License. Your instructor will work with you to provide the instructions demanded by the license. These include a program of takeoffs/landings and a set number of flight hours in a variety of conditions, both solo and instructed. Once these have been completed, qualified students can take the test for the license.
Once you are a qualified Private Pilot, you are authorized to fly solo or with passengers, but not to charge for the service. You may now wish to continue your instruction, working toward the Commercial Rotorcraft License. You will need to log many hours of both solo and instructed flight time, again under a variety of mandated conditions. This license, once earned, will allow you to make money as a commercial helicopter pilot.
