Recurrent Test Expiration

[jp_flkeys]

I passed my first Part 107 in 2017 & have taken 4 Recurrent tests, all of which before the 2 year expiration so I never lapsed, always kept it in good standings.

I read years ago that if you let your license expire you don't lose your original license, just have to take the recurrent test to be legal again before you can fly. But recently heard that if you let it lapse to long you have to take the original Knowledge Test again, basically starting from scratch. The article also stated that the FAA at their discretion determines whether you move forward with the recurrent test or go back to the beginning & made no mention about how much time has to lapse between expiration date & request to take recurrent test. (i.e. 3, 6, 9, 12 months?)

Just curious if anyone has any info concerning this or experienced this situation. Thanks for reading & hope to get clarification.

 

[captainmilehigh]

A Part 107 remote pilot certificate doesn't expire, but the ability to operate under its privileges does. To maintain currency, you must complete the online recurrent knowledge training course every 24 months. If you fail to do so, you are no longer authorized to operate under Part 107 until you complete the training. There's no grace period, and while there are no penalties for letting your certificate lapse, you cannot fly commercially until you regain currency.

Key points about Part 107 renewal:

• No expiration date:
  Your Part 107 certificate itself doesn't expire; only the currency of your knowledge does.
  
  
• Recurrent training:
  You must complete the online Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC-677) training course every 24 months, according to the FAA.
  
  
• Loss of operating privileges:
  If you don't maintain currency, you cannot legally operate under Part 107 until you complete the recurrent training.
  
  
• No re-testing:
  If you let your currency lapse, you don't need to retake the initial Part 107 knowledge test. You can simply take the recurrent training to regain currency.
  
  
• Online recurrent training:
  The recurrent training is available online and can be completed at your convenience.
  
  
• No grace period:
  There's no grace period for maintaining currency with Part 107.
  
  
• Consequences of non-compliance:
  While the FAA doesn't impose penalties for letting your certificate lapse, you cannot legally operate under Part 107 until you regain currency.

 

[jp_flkeys]

I thought that article might have been bogus. Hard to trust these days, so much interpretation & mis-information. However the FAA does have the say so when it comes to rules & regulations, its a changing industry, hence the reach out.

JUST A COMMENT:
I just recently completed my recurrent test last week & noticed something about the test. I've taken 3 on line recurrent tests, July 2021, 2023, 2025. The test I took in 2021 was the same test I took 2025. But the test I took in 2023 however had new information added in modules I needed to learn. Modules concerning airport runway signage & runway markings, also rules about operating within the airport. I expected this to be on my 2025 test since it was on the previous test in 2023 but it wasn't, it was left out. Now I'm wondering why?

Like I said above, the FAA can change its mind when it comes to rules & regulations and that's why I wanted to ask the community on my first post. Thanks for your response.

 

[jp_flkeys]

A Part 107 remote pilot certificate doesn't expire, but the ability to operate under its privileges does. To maintain currency, you must complete the online recurrent knowledge training course every 24 months. If you fail to do so, you are no longer authorized to operate under Part 107 until you complete the training. There's no grace period, and while there are no penalties for letting your certificate lapse, you cannot fly commercially until you regain currency.

Key points about Part 107 renewal:

• No expiration date:
  Your Part 107 certificate itself doesn't expire; only the currency of your knowledge does.
  
  
• Recurrent training:
  You must complete the online Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC-677) training course every 24 months, according to the FAA.
  
  
• Loss of operating privileges:
  If you don't maintain currency, you cannot legally operate under Part 107 until you complete the recurrent training.
  
  
• No re-testing:
  If you let your currency lapse, you don't need to retake the initial Part 107 knowledge test. You can simply take the recurrent training to regain currency.
  
  
• Online recurrent training:
  The recurrent training is available online and can be completed at your convenience.
  
  
• No grace period:
  There's no grace period for maintaining currency with Part 107.
  
  
• Consequences of non-compliance:
  While the FAA doesn't impose penalties for letting your certificate lapse, you cannot legally operate under Part 107 until you regain currency.

I thought that article might have been bogus. Hard to trust these days, so much interpretation & mis-information. However the FAA does have the say so when it comes to rules & regulations, its a changing industry, hence the reach out.

JUST A COMMENT:
I just recently completed my recurrent test last week & noticed something about the test. I've taken 3 on line recurrent tests, July 2021, 2023, 2025. The test I took in 2021 was the same test I took 2025. But the test I took in 2023 however had new information added in modules I needed to learn. Modules concerning airport runway signage & runway markings, also rules about operating within the airport. I expected this to be on my 2025 test since it was on the previous test in 2023 but it wasn't, it was left out. Now I'm wondering why?

Like I said above, the FAA can change its mind when it comes to rules & regulations and that's why I wanted to ask the community on my first post. Thanks for your response.

 

[captainmilehigh]

Yep, our friends at the FAA are notorious for making changes, whether justified or not. Been dealing with them as a ATP for over 40 years. Nothing they do surprises me.

But, their mission statement says it all..........

"Here at the FAA, we're not happy, until you're not happy."

Congrats on your recertification. Blue Skies and Calm Winds.....

 

[jp_flkeys]

Yep, our friends at the FAA are notorious for making changes, whether justified or not. Been dealing with them as a ATP for over 40 years. Nothing they do surprises me.

But, their mission statement says it all..........

"Here at the FAA, we're not happy, until you're not happy."

Congrats on your recertification. Blue Skies and Calm Winds.....

Liked the mission statement "Here at the FAA, we're not happy, until you're not happy." That ain't no lie.