Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate does not last forever. The FAA gives you 24 months. After that, you need to pass a recurrency test or you cannot fly for work.
The problem? The FAA does not send reminders. Most pilots find out they are overdue when a client asks for proof of a current certificate.
How the 24-month cycle works
The clock starts on the date you pass your knowledge test. If you passed on April 15, 2024, your certificate is good until April 30, 2026. The FAA uses the last day of the 24th month, not the exact date.
When you pass the recurrency test, the clock resets. Your new 24-month window starts from the month you passed.
Online vs in-person
You have two ways to take the recurrency test:
- 1Online (free).Go to faasafety.gov, log in, and take the course called "Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent." It is self-paced. No time limit. You can use study materials. Most pilots finish in 1 to 2 hours.
- 2In-person ($175). Schedule at a CATS or PSI testing center. This is the same process as the initial Part 107 test. Most pilots skip this and do it online.
What happens if you miss it
If your 24 months expire and you have not passed the recurrency test, you cannot fly commercially. Your certificate is not canceled. It just becomes "not current." You can still take the recurrency test at any time to get current again. There is no penalty or extra fee. But until you pass, you are grounded for paid work.
Tip: DroneLog107 sends push reminders at 30 and 7 days before your recurrency deadline. Pro users get six reminders starting at 90 days out.
How to check your date
Look at your temporary certificate or your IACRA record. The month you passed the test plus 24 months is your deadline. If you cannot find it, check your faasafety.gov account. Your completed courses show the date you passed.
Or just add it to DroneLog107. Enter your pass date and the app counts down for you.