To get my licence I went thru 4 years of theoretical and practical training, just to get the basic knowledge. After those 4 years, I was then qualified to apply for the licence. I might add that those 4 years consistet of airframe/powerplant and elec/avionics.
To be qualified to sign for anything, I then had to do a 6 month type specific course, 3 months theoretical and 3 months hands on, after that I could the release just that specific type only.
I have a ICAO type II licence.