FAA Part 107 Renewal A Drone Pilot's Guide

Time flies when you're flying drones, and before you know it, that 24-month mark on your Part 107 certificate is creeping up. If you're getting ready for your renewal, I've got good news: the process is way easier than it used to be.

Gone are the days of scheduling an in-person recurrent test. The FAA has completely revamped the system, replacing the old, clunky process with a free online recurrent training course. This is a huge win for busy pilots.

Your Guide to the Modern Part 107 Renewal Process

If your commercial drone pilot certificate is getting close to its two-year anniversary, you’re in the right place. The whole routine of finding a testing center, paying the fee, and blocking out half a day for the recurrent exam is a thing of the past. Thank goodness for that.

The new system revolves around a free online course you can take right on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website. This isn't just a minor update; it's a complete overhaul that makes staying compliant much more straightforward for the thousands of drone pilots out there.

The Shift to Online Training

The number of certified Part 107 pilots has exploded since the rule was introduced back in 2016. In a smart move to keep up, the FAA simplified the recertification process in April 2021. Now, all that's required is completing the free online course every two years.

This change has made a real difference, helping pilots stay current on the rules without the old hassle. It's a practical solution for a rapidly growing industry.

As you can see, the path to renewal is simple: stick to the 24-month cycle, knock out the online training, and you're good to go.

What This Change Means For You

So, what are the real-world benefits for you as a pilot? The biggest one is pure convenience. You can complete the training from your office or couch, whenever you have a spare hour. No more testing center fees, no travel, and no need to juggle schedules. It’s a massive improvement.

The whole point of this recurrent training is to make sure every Part 107 pilot is caught up on the latest regulations. This is especially important with recent updates like Remote ID, new rules for night operations, and flying over people.

This guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step. We'll cover everything from finding the right course on the FAASTeam site to what topics you can expect on the quiz. If you want an even deeper look, you can also check out our other guide on how to renew your Part 107 certificate.

By the time you're done here, you'll have everything you need to get your renewal sorted efficiently and get back to what you do best—flying.

Alright, let's get down to business. Theory is one thing, but now it's time for action. The core of your Part 107 renewal is a free online course from the FAA called "Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC-677)". You'll find it over on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website.

Navigating government websites can feel like you're trying to solve a puzzle, I get it. But trust me, this one is pretty straightforward once you know the lay of the land.

First things first, you'll need to log into your FAASTeam account. If you don't have one, you'll have to create one. A common snag I see pilots hit is forgetting their password—if it's been a couple of years since you last logged in, just go ahead and plan on hitting that "reset password" button. It happens to the best of us.

Finding and Launching the Course

Once you're in, the main trick is just finding the right course among all the training materials. You are specifically looking for ALC-677.

The absolute easiest way to track it down is to use the site's search bar. Just type in "Part 107" or, even better, "ALC-677," and the recurrent training should pop right up at the top of the results.

After you locate it, you'll need to "enroll." This just adds the course to your personal dashboard, making it a piece of cake to get back to later.

This is the FAASTeam portal homepage where your renewal journey really starts.

The course itself is a self-paced slideshow. You’ll click through the slides, read the content, and watch a few videos. The good news is your progress is saved automatically, so you can step away and come back without losing your spot.

My two cents: Don't just mindlessly click through the slides to get it over with. The questions on the final quiz are pulled directly from this material. Pay extra attention to the new regulations that probably weren't around when you took your initial Part 107 exam.

Tackling the Key Topics and Quiz

The recurrent training really hammers home the biggest regulatory changes from the last two years. You can bet you'll see a lot of content on these three critical topics:

• Remote ID (RID): The ins and outs of broadcasting your drone's identification information.
• Night Operations: All the rules for flying at night and during civil twilight, especially the requirements for anti-collision lighting.
• Operations Over People and Moving Vehicles: This is a big one. You'll need to know the four categories for flying over people and the specific drone and operational rules for each.

After you've worked through all the training modules, it's quiz time. You have to score a perfect 100% to pass.

Don't let that number scare you.

If you get a question wrong, the system simply lets you review the material and try again. It’s an open-book test designed to make sure you actually understand the rules, not to fail you.

Once you ace the quiz, you’ll be taken to a page to download your completion certificate. This is, without a doubt, the most important part of the entire process. Do not skip this.

• Save a digital copy of that certificate to your computer and to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox immediately.
• Print a physical copy and stick it with your original Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Think of this renewal certificate as your new license. You have to be able to show it—along with your original pilot card—if an FAA official or law enforcement ever asks. If you lose it, you're back to square one and have to retake the course. So, please, secure your proof of completion.

Nailing Your Renewal Timeline

Knowing when to renew your FAA Part 107 is every bit as critical as knowing how. The FAA has a simple but strict rule you need to burn into your brain: you must complete your recurrent training every 24 calendar months.

This is a small but crucial detail that trips up a surprising number of pilots. It’s not 24 months to the day—it’s by the end of the 24th month.

The 24-Calendar-Month Rule in Action

Let's walk through a real-world example. Say you passed your initial Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test on August 15, 2023.

Your 24-month clock started ticking in August 2023. That means you have until the very last day of August 2025 to complete the free online FAASTeam recurrent training. It makes no difference if you passed on the 1st or the 31st of the month; the entire month you passed in counts as month zero.

Key Takeaway: You get the entire 24th month to finish your renewal. If your certificate was issued in August 2023, you have until 11:59 PM on August 31, 2025, to complete the online course and save your new certificate.

This gives you a pretty generous window. My advice? Don't leave it to the last minute. I always tell pilots to set a calendar reminder for the start of their renewal month. Knock it out early and you won't have to sweat any last-minute website crashes or life getting in the way.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

So, what’s the damage if you forget and let the 24 months slip by? First, take a breath. Your Part 107 certificate itself does not expire or become invalid. You are still a certified Remote Pilot.

The catch is that your privileges to act as Pilot in Command (PIC) for commercial jobs are suspended. You are legally grounded from any flying that isn't purely for fun until you get current again.

The fix is simple: just complete the same ALC-677 online course. As soon as you pass and have that new completion certificate in hand, your commercial flying privileges are immediately restored. There’s no official penalty, but the lost income from being grounded is punishment enough for most of us.

It seems most pilots stay on top of this. The FAA noted that in 2021, on-time renewals averaged over 98,000 per month, blowing past the 28,000 who had to renew after a lapse. You can explore more FAA data on unmanned aircraft systems in their aerospace forecasts if you want to dig deeper.

Always Have Your Certificates Ready

Once you’ve passed, that new recurrent training certificate becomes a vital piece of your kit. You must be able to present it, along with your original plastic Part 107 card, to any FAA inspector or law enforcement official who asks.

Think of them as a two-part document. For commercial flights, one is useless without the other.

• Original Part 107 Card: Proves you're a certified pilot.
• Recurrent Training Certificate: Proves your knowledge is up to date.

I can't stress this enough: keep digital copies on your phone and in a cloud drive, and stick a printed copy in your drone case. This isn't just about ticking a compliance box—it’s about professionalism and being prepared for anything out in the field.

Common Renewal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a process as straightforward as the online Part 107 renewal, there are a few pitfalls that can ground a perfectly good pilot. I’ve seen these simple slip-ups trip up even seasoned pros, but with a little foresight, you can sidestep them completely.

The biggest mistake, and it’s a surprisingly common one, is just waiting for a reminder that will never show up. The FAA does not send you an email or a letter telling you it's time to renew. That responsibility falls 100% on you, the pilot in command.

Forgetting this one simple fact is the number one reason pilots suddenly find their currency has lapsed, forcing them to turn down a job.

Missteps Within the FAASTeam Portal

Once you do log in to renew, the next classic blunder happens right on the FAASTeam website: taking the wrong course. The portal is loaded with training material, but you are specifically looking for ALC-677, the Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent course.

If you enroll in a different course, even one that sounds similar, it won't count. Always double-check that course code before you hit "start."

Another major fumble is not properly saving your proof of completion. When that certificate pops up on your screen, it's easy to think you're done, but that's a risky assumption.

This isn't just a piece of paper; it's your active license to fly commercially for the next two years. Treat it like gold. A lost certificate means you have to retake the entire course.

Immediately save a digital copy to your computer and back it up to a cloud service like Google Drive. Then, print out a physical copy and stick it with your original Part 107 card. Don't take any chances.

Calculation and Complacency Errors

Miscalculating the 24-calendar-month window is another easy mistake to make. Pilots often think they have two full years from the exact date they last passed, but that's not quite right.

Your privileges actually expire at the end of the 24th month, not on the specific day. For example, if your last test was on May 10, 2023, you have until 11:59 PM on May 31, 2025. It’s a subtle difference that gives you a little extra buffer, but it can also cause confusion.

Finally, don't confuse your Part 107 renewal with other requirements, like drone registration. They're two completely separate things on different schedules.

• Drone Registration: This needs to be renewed every three years for each drone you own that weighs over 0.55 lbs.
• Part 107 Currency: This is for you, the pilot, and must be renewed every two years.

Keeping these timelines straight is just part of being a professional. For those who want to dig deeper into the exam content itself, our comprehensive guide to the Part 107 recurrent test breaks it all down. By steering clear of these common errors, you can make your renewal a smooth, one-and-done task and stay ready for your next flight.

Beyond Renewal: Staying Sharp as a Drone Pilot

Passing the free online recurrent training for your FAA Part 107 renewal is the bare minimum, not the finish line. It keeps you legal, sure, but the best pilots I know treat this two-year milestone as a professional check-in. It's a chance to step back and honestly assess your skills and knowledge in an industry that changes at lightning speed.

Thinking of your renewal as a springboard for ongoing learning is what separates a good pilot from a great one. This mindset doesn't just make you a safer operator; it makes you a more competent and marketable professional. The drone world doesn't stand still, and neither should your skills.

Pushing Beyond the Minimum Requirements

Think of the recurrent training as covering just the essentials. To truly stand out and offer more value, you have to go further. This means actively looking for ways to build on your skills beyond what the FAA requires to stay current.

Here are a few ways I’ve seen pilots invest in their professional development that really pay off:

• Pursue Specialized Training: The pilots who are always busy often have niche skills. Look into certifications for things like thermal imaging for public safety or home inspections, advanced photogrammetry for 3D mapping, or specific agricultural drone applications.
• Practice Advanced Maneuvers: Seriously, when was the last time you went out just to practice flying in tricky wind conditions or ran through an emergency drill like a lost link? Regular, hands-on practice builds the kind of muscle memory that can save your drone—and your mission—when things go sideways.
• Join Industry Groups: Getting involved with organizations like AUVSI or even local drone pilot meetups is invaluable. It’s a direct line to chatter about upcoming regulations (like the much-discussed Part 108 for BVLOS flights), see new tech firsthand, and hear how other pilots are running their businesses.

Your Part 107 certificate is your license to learn, not a signal that you know everything. Every flight is a chance to polish your technique, and every year brings new technology and rules to master.

This kind of commitment is what builds a reputation for being reliable and an expert in your field. It shifts you from being just someone who can legally fly a drone to a trusted aerial data professional. For a deeper dive into the certificate itself, you can learn more about what a FAA Part 107 drone license entails and why it's so critical for commercial work.

Ultimately, using each renewal cycle to sharpen your skills is the best investment you can make in your career.

Your Part 107 Renewal Questions, Answered

Even with all the steps laid out, you probably still have a few lingering questions about the FAA Part 107 renewal. I get it. Let’s tackle the most common ones I hear from other pilots so you can move forward with confidence.

How Much Does the Part 107 Renewal Cost?

This is the best part of the whole process: it’s completely free.

Back in the day, pilots had to find an in-person testing center and pay to take a recurrent knowledge test. The FAA has since modernized the system. Now, all you have to do is complete the free online training course (ALC-677) on the FAASTeam website, and there are no fees involved.

Do I Get a New Plastic Card After Renewing?

Nope, you won't get a new physical card in the mail. The FAA only issues that plastic Remote Pilot Certificate once, right after you pass your initial Part 107 exam.

Your proof of currency is the certificate of completion you download after you pass the online renewal course. If the FAA or law enforcement ever asks for your credentials, you need to be ready to show them both your original plastic certificate and your most recent training certificate. Keep them together!

Can I Renew My Part 107 Before the 24-Month Period Ends?

Absolutely. You can take the recurrent training anytime you want within your 24-calendar-month window. For instance, if you got your certificate in October 2023, your renewal is due by October 31, 2025. You’re free to complete the online course anytime before that date.

Just be aware of one small catch: your next 24-month clock starts from the month you complete the recurrent training, not from your original expiration date. If you renew early, your next renewal date gets moved up.

What Happens If I Let My Part 107 Currency Lapse?

First, don't panic. If you miss your 24-month deadline, your Remote Pilot Certificate itself doesn't expire—you are still a certified pilot. What does happen is your privilege to act as a commercial drone pilot gets suspended.

This means you are legally grounded from flying for any non-recreational jobs. To get back in the air, just log in to the FAASTeam site, complete the ALC-677 course, and pass the test. The moment you have that new certificate of completion, your commercial flying privileges are restored. There are no fines or penalties for a lapse, just the time you can't fly professionally.

Is the Part 107 Renewal the Same as Drone Registration?

This is a big one, and the answer is no. These are two completely separate FAA requirements, each with its own timeline. It's crucial to keep them straight.

• Part 107 Renewal: This is about you, the pilot. It proves your knowledge is up-to-date and must be done every 24 calendar months.
• Drone Registration: This is for your aircraft. Any drone weighing over 0.55 lbs needs an FAA registration number, and that registration must be renewed every three years.

Mixing these two up is a common mistake, but staying on top of both is a basic part of being a compliant, professional pilot.

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