EASA Licences and ratings

CPL in aviation stands for Commercial Pilot Licence. 

The CPL abbreviation always comes with an aircraft category designator at the end.

• CPL(A) stands for Aeroplanes
• CPL(H) stands for Helicopters

It is internationally accepted abbreviation of the commercial pilot licence giving the holder the privileges to exercise flights for renumeration. 

The privileges of the holder of a CPL are, within the appropriate aircraft category, to:

• exercise all the privileges of the holder of an LAPL and a PPL;
• act as PIC or co-pilot of any aircraft engaged in operations other than commercial air transport (e.g. flight instructor);
• act as PIC in commercial air transport of any single-pilot aircraft such as Cessna 525
• act as co-pilot in commercial air transport in multi-pilot aircraft such as Boeing 737

To make it simple - by holding the CPL you are a professional pilot, and you can get renumeration for your pilot services. However your privileges do not allow you to become a captain on multi-pilot aeroplane such as Boeing 737, nevertheless you can become a Captain on Cessna 525 even in commercial air transport.