Part 107 recurrent training: how to stay current as a remote pilot

Key facts

• You may not exercise remote pilot in command privileges unless you passed the initial test or completed the required training within the previous 24 calendar months.14 CFR 107.65
• The FAA’s online recurrent courses carry no cost: ALC-677 for any certificate holder, and ALC-515 for remote pilots with a current part 61 flight review.FAA, Become a Certificated Remote Pilot
• Your remote pilot certificate does not expire, and the FAA does not issue a new one after recurrent training.FAA UAS FAQ
• You must be able to show a copy of your course completion certificate as proof of currency.FAA UAS FAQ
• Recurrent training covers the same 13 knowledge areas as the initial test, including operation at night.14 CFR 107.73

Your remote pilot certificate does not expire (FAA UAS FAQ). What runs out is your aeronautical knowledge recency. To exercise the privileges of a remote pilot in command, you must have passed the initial knowledge test or completed recurrent training (or, for current part 61 pilots, the part 61 training) within the previous 24 calendar months (14 CFR 107.65).

The FAA offers the recurrent training online, at no cost, as course ALC-677 for any certificate holder and ALC-515 for remote pilots who also have a current part 61 flight review (FAA, Become a Drone Pilot). You do not need to retake the knowledge test to stay current, because completing recurrent training satisfies the rule (14 CFR 107.65(b)).

What 14 CFR 107.65 requires

You may not exercise the privileges of a remote pilot in command unless you have done one of the following within the previous 24 calendar months (14 CFR 107.65):

• passed an initial aeronautical knowledge test covering the areas in 14 CFR 107.73;
• completed recurrent training covering the areas in 14 CFR 107.73; or
• if you hold a part 61 pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) and meet the flight review requirements of 14 CFR 61.56, completed training covering the areas in 14 CFR 107.74.

The rule ties directly to the certificate requirement. No one may act as remote pilot in command unless they hold a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating and satisfy 14 CFR 107.65 (14 CFR 107.12(b)). The same is true for manipulating the flight controls without supervision (14 CFR 107.12(a)(1)).

Paragraph (d) of the rule is a transition provision: it treats a recurrent knowledge test, or part 61 training, completed before April 6, 2021 within the previous 24 calendar months as meeting the training requirement (14 CFR 107.65(d)). Today, the three routes above are how you stay current.

How 24 calendar months are counted

The count is in calendar months, so the deadline falls at the end of a month, not on the anniversary date. AC 107-2A gives a worked example: if you pass the initial knowledge test on September 13, 2020, your recurrent training must be completed no later than September 30, 2022 (AC 107-2A, Figure 6-1).

Finishing early starts a new window from the month you finish. In another of the AC’s examples, recurrent training completed on July 15, 2020 means the next recurrent training must be completed no later than July 31, 2022 (AC 107-2A, Figure 6-1). The AIM describes the same count: take a recurrent course within 24 months from the month you passed the initial test or completed the online training (AIM 11-5-1). The FAA also says completing the appropriate online course renews your recency for 24 calendar months (FAA UAS FAQ).

Which course to take

The FAA lists these online courses on its Become a Drone Pilot page, each marked “no cost” (FAA, Become a Drone Pilot):

The courses are hosted on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website (FAA news release, April 8, 2021). The FAA’s Become a Drone Pilot page links to each one. Do not confuse them with ALC-451, Part 107 Small UAS Initial, which is the course part 61 pilots take to get their first remote pilot certificate (FAA, Become a Drone Pilot). That path is covered in the remote pilot certificate guide.

What the training covers

Recurrent training covers the same areas of knowledge as the initial test (14 CFR 107.73):

• regulations relating to small UAS rating privileges, limitations and flight operation
• airspace classification, operating requirements and flight restrictions
• aviation weather sources and effects of weather on performance
• small unmanned aircraft loading
• emergency procedures
• crew resource management
• radio communication procedures
• determining the performance of the small unmanned aircraft
• physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
• aeronautical decision-making and judgment
• airport operations
• maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
• operation at night

Training for part 61 pilots covers a shorter list of 8 areas, which also ends with operation at night (14 CFR 107.74). AC 107-2A says the recurrent training contains the topics of night physiology and night visual illusions (AC 107-2A, 5.7.2.1).

Night operations depend on it. You may operate at night only if you completed an initial knowledge test or training under 14 CFR 107.65 after April 6, 2021, and the aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles (14 CFR 107.29(a)). The AIM adds that a remote pilot whose certificate was issued before April 6, 2021 must take the updated recurrent training to operate at night or over people (AIM 11-5-1). The night and over-people limits themselves are in our Part 107 rules guide.

What to carry as proof of currency

The FAA does not issue a new certificate after you complete recurrent training. Instead, you must be able to show a copy of your certificate of completion as proof of currency (FAA UAS FAQ).

When exercising the privileges of your certificate, you must also have the remote pilot certificate and identification in your physical possession and readily accessible, and present them on request to the FAA, the NTSB, the TSA or a law enforcement officer (14 CFR 107.7(a)). The FAA’s own summary is that the certificate must be easily accessible during all UAS operations (FAA, Become a Drone Pilot).

In practice, keep three things with you when you fly: your remote pilot certificate, your identification, and a copy of your most recent course completion certificate.

If your currency lapses

A lapse does not cancel your certificate. The FAA says it is permanent unless revoked (FAA UAS FAQ). What you lose is the ability to use it:

• You may not act as remote pilot in command (14 CFR 107.12(b)).
• You may still manipulate the flight controls, but only under the direct supervision of a current remote pilot in command who can immediately take direct control (14 CFR 107.12(a)(2)). AC 107-2A names this case directly: a remote pilot who has not met the recurrent training requirements may operate under that supervision (AC 107-2A, 5.2.2).

To get current again, complete ALC-677, which the FAA offers to any certificate holder “regardless of aeronautical knowledge recency” (FAA, Become a Drone Pilot). You do not need to retake the knowledge test, although passing it again would also satisfy the rule (14 CFR 107.65(a)). Your new 24-calendar-month window then counts from the month you finish. If you want a refresher before the course, the Part 107 study guide lists the topics by ACS area.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these public FAA documents and the eCFR. If the FAA updates one, the source wins.

1. 14 CFR 107.65, Aeronautical knowledge recency (eCFR)
2. 14 CFR 107.73, Knowledge and training (eCFR)
3. 14 CFR 107.74, Small unmanned aircraft system training (eCFR)
4. 14 CFR 107.12, Requirement for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating (eCFR)
5. 14 CFR 107.29, Operation at night (eCFR)
6. 14 CFR 107.7, Inspection, testing, and demonstration of compliance (eCFR)
7. FAA, Become a Certificated Remote Pilot (Keep Your Remote Pilot Certificate Current)
8. FAA UAS FAQ: Does the FAA issue a new remote pilot certificate after the online ALC course?
9. FAA UAS FAQ: No expiration date on my Part 107 certificate
10. FAA news release, Recurrent Training Courses for Drone Pilots Available Online (April 8, 2021)
11. AC 107-2A, Small Unmanned Aircraft System (Small UAS), editorial update
12. AIM 11-5, UAS Pilot Testing, Certification and Responsibilities

Related guides

• How to get a remote pilot certificate (the drone license)How to get a remote pilot certificate, the drone license: eligibility under 14 CFR 107.61, FTN and IACRA, the UAG test, TSA vetting and your certificate.
• Part 107 rules: the operating limits for small dronesPart 107 rules with the exact numbers: 400 feet AGL, 87 knots, 3 statute miles visibility, cloud clearance, night lighting, flying over people, waivers.
• The Part 107 test: format, scoring, scheduling and test dayThe Part 107 test (UAG) has 60 scored questions, 2 hours and a 70% pass mark. See the current area weights, the October 2026 change and what to bring.
• Part 107 study guide for 2026: the five ACS areas and what to learn in eachA 2026 Part 107 study guide built on the FAA's ACS: the five knowledge areas, the current test weights, the topics in each and the FAA sources to study.