An Overview of Recency and Reinstatement Requirements

Recency of experience requirements for Flight Instructor Certificates can be met anytime before reaching the expiration date shown on the certificate (if applicable), or within 24 calendar months after the last recency of experience requirements were satisfied.

Reinstatement requirements must be met if the flight instructor holds an expired Flight Instructor Certificate (applicable to certificates issued before December 1, 2024) or if more than 24 calendar months have elapsed since the last time the recency of experience requirements were satisfied.

A 3-calendar-month grace period exists for Flight Instructor Certificates issued without an expiration date. It allows a flight instructor to reinstate his or her certificate by completing a flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) within three calendar months after the recency period elapses. During this period, the CFI may not provide instruction.

Recent Experience Requirements

References: 14 CFR 61.197, 14 CFR 61.425

Note: Regulatory changes to this section are effective December 1, 2024.

Note: 14 CFR 61.40 provides some relief to U.S. military and civilian personnel who have served outside the U.S. in support of the U.S. Armed Forces.

A person may exercise the privileges of the person’s Flight Instructor Certificate only if, within the preceding 24 calendar months, that person has satisfied a recent experience requirement.

Recency Start Date

The 24 calendar month period during which the flight instructor must establish recent experience starts from one of the following:

• The month the FAA issued the Flight Instructor Certificate;
• The month the recent experience requirements are accomplished; or
• The last month of the flight instructor’s current recent experience period, provided the recent experience requirements are accomplished within the 3 calendar months preceding the last month of the certificate holder’s current recent experience period (see example).

Example: If a flight instructor’s current 24-month experience period ends in December 2025, and the instructor completes a renewal task in October 2025 (within the preceding 3 months of the period), the new 24-month period will still end in December 2027.

Methods of Establishing Recent Experience

A person who holds a Flight Instructor Certificate may establish recent experience by satisfying one of the following.

Passing a practical test for:

• One of the ratings listed on the Flight Instructor Certificate; or
• An additional rating on the Flight Instructor Certificate.

Submitting documentation to the FAA that one of the following was satisfactorily completed:

• During the preceding 24 calendar months, the flight instructor has endorsed at least 5 applicants for a practical test for a certificate or rating and at least 80% of all applicants endorsed passed that test on the first attempt.
• Within the preceding 24 calendar months, the flight instructor has served as a company check pilot, chief flight instructor, company check airman, or flight instructor in a 14 CFR Part 121 or 135 operation, or in a position involving the regular evaluation of pilots.
• Within the preceding 3 calendar months, the person has successfully completed an approved flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) consisting of ground training or flight training, or a combination of both.
• Within the preceding 24 calendar months from the month of application, the flight instructor passed an official U.S. Armed Forces military instructor pilot or pilot examiner proficiency check in an aircraft for which the military instructor already holds a rating or in an aircraft for an additional rating.
• Within the preceding 24 calendar months from the month of application, the flight instructor has completed all the requirements for establishing recent experience based on completing activities in the FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program (WINGS).

Note: The documentation may include an FIRC graduation certificate, training records, or other appropriate records. Depending on the method of accomplishment, it may be submitted through IACRA or an ASI.

Requirements for Establishing Recent Experience Based on WINGS Activities

The flight instructor must:

• Hold a Flight Instructor Certificate and meet the certificate’s recent experience requirements.
• Have satisfactorily completed at least one phase of the WINGS–Pilot Proficiency Program in the preceding 12 calendar months.
• Have conducted at least 15 flight activities recognized under the WINGS–Pilot Proficiency Program, during which the flight instructor evaluated at least 5 different pilots and has made the necessary endorsements in the logbooks of each pilot for each activity.

Flight Instructor Certificates Issued with Expiration Dates (Historical)

A person who holds an unexpired flight instructor certificate issued before December 1, 2024, may renew that certificate by establishing recent experience before the month of expiration on that person’s flight instructor certificate. If recent experience is not established before the expiration of that person’s flight instructor certificate, that person may not exercise flight instructor privileges until those privileges are reinstated.

Reinstatement of Flight Instructor Certificates

References: 14 CFR 61.199, 14 CFR 61.427

Note: Regulatory changes to this section are effective December 1, 2024.

The holder of a Flight Instructor Certificate who has not complied with the flight instructor recent experience requirements must reinstate their flight instructor privileges by filing a completed and signed application with the FAA and satisfactorily completing one of the following reinstatement requirements.

Within 3 Calendar Months (Grace Period)

If 3 calendar months or less have passed since the last month of the flight instructor’s recent experience period, the flight instructor may successfully complete:

• An approved flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) consisting of ground training or flight training, or a combination of both;
• A practical test for one of the ratings already held on the Flight Instructor Certificate; or
• A practical test for an additional rating on the Flight Instructor Certificate.

The privileges of a Flight Instructor Certificate cannot be exercised during the 3-month grace period until the reinstatement requirements are completed.

Example: If a flight instructor’s recency of experience requirements elapse in March 2026, the 3-calendar-month grace period allows the instructor to complete a FIRC and reinstate the certificate by the end of June 2026.

Beyond 3 Calendar Months

Notes:

• Sport pilot flight instructors (CFI-S) have similar reinstatement rules, but they should reference 14 CFR 61.427.
• An instructor endorsement is not required to take a practical test to reinstate a Flight Instructor certificate unless a retest is required.

If more than 3 calendar months have passed since the last month of the flight instructor’s recent experience period, the flight instructor must satisfactorily complete a practical test for:

• One of the ratings already held on the Flight Instructor Certificate; or
• An additional rating on the Flight Instructor Certificate.

Renewal of a Gold Seal Certificate

Reference: AC 61-65

The holder of a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate is not required to meet the criteria again. A flight instructor who qualifies for a Gold Seal will receive another Gold Seal each time the certificate is issued.