New York (CNN Business) The Boeing 737 Max will not be approved to fly again before the end of this year, according to the head of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Administrator Stephen Dickson, appearing on CNBC ahead of his testimony before the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, said he could not provide a time frame for when the plane will get approval to fly again. But he said there are 10 or 11 different steps in the certification process that are yet to be completed. "If you do the math, it's going to extend into 2020," he said.

When asked if that meant it might be approved in January or February, he declined to give a target.

"If I had that kind of a crystal ball I would certainly be able to share it," he said. "But it's very important that our team works very closely with the international authorities that have been working with us and with the Boeing team to do this right."

In his prepared opening remarks for his testimony later Wednesday, Dickson also declined to give any time target for when the plane will be allowed to fly again.