If you hold a Part 107 remote pilot certificate and you plan commercial operations around the turn of the year, now is the time to check your aeronautical knowledge currency and take calm, practical steps to avoid avoidable downtime. The certificate itself does not get reissued, but your authority to exercise Part 107 privileges depends on completing the FAA’s recurrent knowledge requirement every 24 calendar months.

Know which recurrent path applies to you. The FAA provides specific online courses on the FAASafety.gov platform based on whether you also hold a Part 61 manned-aircraft certificate and a current flight review. Most pilots who only hold a Part 107 certificate should enroll in the Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent course. Pilots who hold a Part 61 certificate and are current under Part 61 have a different recurrent option. Review the FAA guidance so you do not spend time on the wrong course.

Register early on FAASafety.gov and download your proof of completion. The recurrent modules are free and conclude with an integrated knowledge check; completion generates a certificate you must retain as proof of currency. The FAA explicitly notes that completing the online recurrent training renews your aeronautical knowledge recency for 24 calendar months and that you should be prepared to show a copy of your certificate of completion when exercising Part 107 privileges. Save both a PDF and a printed copy in your operations kit.

Plan timing around the FAA’s calendar-month system. The 24-month window is measured in calendar months. That means completing recurrent training early in a month resets the deadline to the last day of the month two years later. If your current recency runs out late December or early January, do not wait until the last business day of the year when FAASafety.gov traffic and support response times can be slower. The FAA has previously warned that new course releases and busy periods can result in heavier site load. Schedule your training and save the completion certificate well before holidays.

Checklist before you click enroll:

  • Confirm which FAA recurrent course you need and enroll in that exact FAASafety.gov activity. Taking the wrong course will not restore currency.
  • Create or confirm your FAASafety.gov account now, not the day you must be current. Account issues create the most last-minute stress.
  • Download and print the completion certificate immediately after passing the course and keep a digital backup accessible from your phone or company cloud. The FAA expects you to show proof of recency if asked.
  • If you need to request airspace authorizations or LAANC that coincide with your renewal window, do not assume authorizations will be granted while your currency is out of date. Maintain currency ahead of planned operations to avoid denied or delayed authorizations.

If your currency has already lapsed, the fix is straightforward but do it before flying commercially. Complete the correct FAA online recurrent course and retain the certificate of completion. You are not permitted to exercise Part 107 privileges without meeting the recurrent requirement. There is not a separate reapplication or in-person retest for most lapsed pilots if you complete the FAA recurrent course. Check FAA pages for the exact steps for your situation so you do not inadvertently operate while out of currency.

Fleet managers and operators who oversee multiple remote pilots should implement a centralized tracking process now. Record each pilot’s last recurrent completion month, send automated reminders 60 and 30 days out, and maintain a centralized folder with copies of completion certificates. That small administrative investment prevents unsafe improvisation and regulatory exposure during high-demand seasonal work. The FAA continues to emphasize knowledge recency as the mechanism to ensure pilots stay current with evolving rules such as night operations and remote identification.

Final practical notes: do not rely on memory for course details or expiration months. When in doubt, log into your FAASafety.gov account, verify course history, and download the certificate. If you run into technical problems with FAASafety.gov, contact the FAA UAS Support Center well before your planned flight dates. Taking these simple steps before year-end will minimize compliance risk and keep your operations running smoothly into the new year.