What is Part 107 Renewal?
Part 107 renewal is the process of completing FAA recurrent training so that it falls within the previous 24 calendar months, which keeps your aeronautical knowledge current as a certificated remote pilot. The renewal is free and fully online through FAASafety.gov. The course ends with an exam you must pass with a score of 100%, and you can retake it until you do.
Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate never expires, but you cannot act as remote pilot in command under Part 107 unless you have completed recurrent training (or another qualifying test or course) within the previous 24 calendar months. That applies to every Part 107 flight, paid or not, and missing the deadline grounds your Part 107 operations until you complete the training.
The good news is that Part 107 renewal is straightforward and completely free. Unlike the initial knowledge test (see our Part 107 practice test), which the FAA says costs about $175 at a testing center, recurrent training happens online at your own pace. But the process still has specific requirements, timelines, and topics you need to understand to stay compliant.
This guide walks through exactly how Part 107 renewal works, what the recurrent training covers, step-by-step instructions for completing it, and common mistakes that can delay your renewal.
How Part 107 renewal works
The FAA distinguishes between your Remote Pilot Certificate and your aeronautical knowledge currency. Your certificate is a permanent credential issued after passing the initial Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) knowledge test, or after the FAA's initial training if you qualified as a Part 61 pilot. It does not expire, get revoked for inactivity, or need to be physically replaced during renewal.
What lapses is your authority to use that certificate. Under 14 CFR 107.65, you may not exercise the privileges of a remote pilot in command unless you have passed the initial knowledge test, completed recurrent training, or (for eligible Part 61 pilots) completed the training for pilot certificate holders within the previous 24 calendar months. Without that, your certificate still exists, but you cannot act as remote pilot in command for any Part 107 operation.
This distinction matters for drone business operators managing multiple pilots. Each pilot on your team must individually maintain their currency. A lapsed renewal does not affect the certificate itself, only the ability to act as remote pilot in command under Part 107 until the training is completed.
The 24-month renewal cycle
Your renewal clock starts from the month you passed your most recent knowledge validation. If you passed your initial Part 107 exam in March 2024, your first renewal is due by the end of March 2026. After completing recurrent training, a new 24-month window begins from that completion date.
Key timing details
The FAA counts by calendar months, not exact dates. If you completed training on January 15, 2025, you have until the last day of January 2027 to renew. This gives you the full final month regardless of what day you originally completed training.
There is no penalty for renewing early. We suggest completing recurrent training a month or two before your deadline to avoid any risk of a lapse. Early completion simply resets the 24-month clock from the new completion date.
For teams managing multiple drone pilot certifications, tracking renewal dates across your roster prevents unexpected groundings. A single pilot with lapsed currency can disrupt project schedules and client deliverables.
Two paths to renewal
The FAA offers two recurrent training courses, both free on FAASafety.gov. FAASafety.gov says each takes approximately 2 hours, and that the exam at the end must be completed and graded within 90 minutes in a single session, or you retake the whole exam.
ALC-677: Standard recurrent training
ALC-677 is open to any Part 107 remote pilot. It covers the 13 knowledge areas in §107.73 and ends with an exam that requires a score of 100%. The exam highlights any wrong answers, you can retake it until you pass, and you can then print your completion certificate.
ALC-515: Part 61 pilot recurrent training
If you hold a pilot certificate under Part 61 (manned aircraft) other than a student pilot certificate and meet the flight review requirements, you can take ALC-515 instead of ALC-677. It covers the shorter list of topics in §107.74: regulations, weather effects, loading, emergency procedures, crew resource management, performance, maintenance and preflight inspection, and night operations.
Which course should you take?
| Pilot type | Course | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Any Part 107 remote pilot | ALC-677 | The 13 knowledge areas in §107.73 |
| Part 107 plus a Part 61 certificate (not student pilot) and a current flight review | ALC-515, or ALC-677 | The shorter §107.74 list (ALC-515) |
Both courses end with a completion certificate that satisfies your 24-month recency requirement.
What the recurrent training covers
FAASafety.gov lists the ALC-677 topics as the §107.73 knowledge areas: regulations, airspace, weather, loading, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio procedures, performance, physiological effects of drugs and alcohol, decision-making, airport operations, maintenance and preflight inspection, and operation at night. Within those areas, these are the topics we suggest reviewing before you start. Night operations, operations over people, and Remote ID are the parts of the rules for commercial drone operations that changed in 2021.
Night operations
The FAA says recurrent training includes night physiology and night visual illusions. Also review the civil twilight definition and the anti-collision lighting rule, and think through how you plan low-light flights and keep situational awareness.
Operations over people
Review the four categories of operations over people, what each requires of the drone (such as the 0.55-pound limit for Category 1 and exposed rotating parts), and the limits on sustained flight over open-air assemblies, which tie into Remote ID requirements.
Remote ID compliance
Review the difference between standard Remote ID and Remote ID broadcast modules, and the rules for FAA-recognized identification areas. Airspace rules still matter too, from controlled airspace to LAANC authorizations.
Emergency and abnormal procedures
Review your plans for a lost control link, a flyaway, GPS signal loss, and a battery fire. These scenarios reinforce the risk assessment and pre-flight checklist practices that prevent incidents.
Aeronautical decision-making
Review the human factors that affect pilot judgment, including the effects of drugs and alcohol, stress, and hazardous attitudes, and how you apply structured decision-making during drone operations.
Maintenance and preflight procedures
Review the requirement that your drone be in a condition for safe operation, your preflight inspection routine, and how you document maintenance activities. This is especially relevant for operators managing a fleet of aircraft.
Step-by-step renewal process
Follow these steps to complete your Part 107 renewal:
Step 1: Create or log into your FAASafety.gov account
Visit FAASafety.gov and either create a new account or log in with your existing credentials. This is a separate system from IACRA, where you applied for your FAA drone license.
Step 2: Locate the correct course
Search for ALC-677 (or ALC-515 if you are an eligible Part 61 pilot). The courses are found under the "Activities, Courses, Seminars & Webinars" section.
Step 3: Complete the training modules
Work through each section of the course at your own pace. The material covers regulations, operational procedures, and safety topics. Take notes on areas where the regulations have changed since your last renewal, particularly night operations, operations over people, and Remote ID.
Step 4: Pass the exam
After completing the modules and the review, take the exam. You need a score of 100%. The exam highlights any wrong answers, and you can retake it until there are none.
Step 5: Save your completion certificate
Upon passing, you receive credit for the course and can print a Certificate of Completion. Save it as a PDF. We suggest keeping a copy on your phone and a printed copy in your kit, since it is your proof that you are current.
After you pass
Passing the recurrent training does not trigger a new physical certificate from the FAA. Your original Remote Pilot Certificate remains valid and unchanged. The completion certificate from FAASafety.gov serves as your proof of current aeronautical knowledge.
Part 107 requires you to carry your Remote Pilot Certificate and identification when you fly, and to present both on request to the FAA, the NTSB, the TSA, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer. Keep your completion certificate handy too, so you can show that you are current.
For operators using drone management software, upload the completion certificate to each pilot's profile to maintain centralized compliance records. This is particularly important for organizations conducting construction inspections or utility surveys where clients may require proof of current certifications.
What happens if you miss the deadline
Missing your 24-month renewal deadline does not revoke your Remote Pilot Certificate. However, you may not exercise its privileges until you complete recurrent training. That means no acting as remote pilot in command under Part 107, paid or unpaid, which rules out work as a commercial drone pilot until you renew.
The reinstatement process is identical to a standard renewal. You simply complete the ALC-677 (or ALC-515) course and pass the exam. There is no additional penalty, no retesting at a testing center, and no fee. Your 24-month clock restarts from the date you complete the training.
However, the operational impact of a lapsed renewal can be significant. If your commercial drone insurance policy requires a current, properly certificated pilot, flying while out of currency could put your coverage at risk, so check your policy terms. If your organization handles surveying and inspection contracts, a single pilot's lapsed renewal could delay time-sensitive deliverables.
Common Part 107 renewal mistakes
Confusing renewal with recertification
The renewal process is not the same as retaking the initial UAG knowledge test at a PSI testing center. Recurrent training is free and online, so there's no need to book and pay for an in-person test to stay current.
Losing the completion certificate
The FAA does not issue a new plastic certificate card upon renewal. Your completion certificate from FAASafety.gov is your proof of current training, so save it in multiple locations: cloud storage, your phone, and a printed copy in your flight equipment bag.
Waiting until the last day
While there is no penalty for completing renewal right at the deadline, technical issues with the FAASafety.gov website or personal schedule conflicts can cause you to miss it. We suggest completing your renewal at least two weeks before your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Part 107 renewal cost?
Part 107 renewal is completely free. The FAA recurrent training courses (ALC-677 and ALC-515) are available at no cost through FAASafety.gov. This is different from the initial Part 107 knowledge test, which the FAA says costs about $175 at an approved testing center.
What score do I need on the Part 107 recurrent exam?
You need 100%. The exam highlights any wrong answers, and you can retake it until you pass. Once you pass, you can print your completion certificate.
Do I need to update my physical Remote Pilot Certificate after renewal?
No. Your original Remote Pilot Certificate remains valid indefinitely, and the FAA does not issue a new card when you renew. Keep the digital or printed completion certificate from FAASafety.gov alongside your existing card during commercial operations.
What if I renewed late but flew commercially during the lapse?
Acting as remote pilot in command without current aeronautical knowledge recency violates 14 CFR 107.65 and can lead to FAA enforcement action. Check what your drone insurance policy says about it, too. If you discover your renewal has lapsed, stop Part 107 flights immediately and complete the recurrent training before resuming.
Implementation considerations
For individual pilots, we suggest a calendar reminder 30 days before your renewal deadline and another at 14 days. That leaves a comfortable buffer to complete the course without rushing. A slow business day, when you can give the material proper attention, is a good time to do it.
Organizations managing multiple drone operations should implement a centralized tracking system for pilot certifications. Track each pilot's initial certification date, most recent renewal date, and upcoming deadline in your operations management platform. Automated reminders prevent the costly disruption of discovering a pilot's lapsed currency on the morning of a scheduled agricultural survey or telecom tower inspection.
Consider having pilots review the recurrent training material collaboratively. While each pilot must individually complete their own course and exam, group review sessions can reinforce safety concepts and ensure consistent knowledge across your team.
In summary
Part 107 renewal is one of the simplest regulatory requirements in commercial drone operations, but it is also one of the easiest to overlook. It costs nothing and can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection through the FAA's free recurrent training course.
The key points to remember: your certificate is permanent, but to use it you need one of three things within the previous 24 calendar months: a passed initial knowledge test, completed recurrent training, or, for eligible Part 61 pilots, completed training for pilot certificate holders. Recurrent training is the free online way to meet it. Complete the right course (ALC-677 for any remote pilot, or ALC-515 if you are an eligible Part 61 pilot), pass the exam with 100%, save your completion certificate, and keep it with you. There is no fee, no testing center visit, and you can retake the exam until you pass.
Staying current is not just a regulatory checkbox. It ensures you are up to date on evolving rules around night operations, Remote ID, and operations over people that directly affect how you conduct safe, compliant drone operations every day.
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