Bonjour iaf -
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You heard correctly - in USA, the FAA did not require a type rating (to be written) on a pilot certificate. As a matter of fact, in FAA pilot jargon, a type rating means a "captain rating". That does not mean that F/Os are not qualified. A F/O with a US airline receives a training that is probably same, or comparable to any other airline in the world.
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Recently, ICAO questioned the FAA about that practice, so, the FAA now issues "SIC Type Ratings" indicated on pilot certificates, for pilots who require it for international operations.
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With the FAA, a F/O training and qualification has little differences with captain's training. In the 747, a F/O does not have to demonstrate a "2 engines" approach, or an emergency descent as PF. On a check ride, he is required to maintain altitudes by + or - 100 feet. while captains standards are + or - 50 feet. On ILS instrument checks, captains are required to fly ILS approaches to 100 feet DA, while 200 feet is required for F/Os. Other than that, the ground training, aircraft systems and performance is same as any captain training curriculum.
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When I give a check in simulator or airplane, shall I say that I am a little more lenient with F/O's standards than I am with captains. The training standards are so similar, that with my airline here in Argentina, which uses FAA standards, we initially qualify F/Os with a SIC/P2 rating, but on their next proficiency check, with their improved proficiency, they are trained and receive a PIC/P1 ratings.
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I started my airline career as a flight engineer. My FAA F/E certificate just states "Turbojet" as rating, yet I was qualified on 707 and 727... so I have no type rating as flight engineer...
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J'espère que cela répond à tes questions -
Happy contrails