Yes, You Really Do Need to Re-Certify as a Part 107 Pilot After 2 Years

As the two year anniversary of Part 107 rolls around, those drone pilots who were quick to take and pass their test and receive their certifications will need to get ready to renew.

Questions on social media sites have been frequent recently, asking if Part 107 certifications really needed to be renewed after 24 months.  The FAA has answered – and yes, Part 107 certifications really do need to be renewed- but the test should be a bit shorter.  FAA describes the test:

The recurrent knowledge test is an important part of ensuring that airmen who hold a remote pilot certificate with sUAS rating can operate safety in the National Airspace System (NAS). Recurrent testing is required for Airmen who do not hold a pilot certificate that was issued under 14 CFR part 61. The recurrent test is also required for airmen who do hold a pilot certificate that was issued under 14 CFR part 61, but do not have a current Flight Review as per 14 CFR part 61, section, 61.56.

The recurrent knowledge test consists of objective, multiple-choice questions. There is a single correct response for each test question. Each test question is independent of other questions. A correct response to one question does not depend upon, or influence, the correct response to another. A person who is taking the test has up to 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the test.

Remote Pilot –Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Certification and Recurrent Knowledge Testing), part of the Airman Certification Standards, lists all of the topics covered on both the Certification and the “Recurrent Knowledge” Test.   The Certification Test includes UAS Topics 1 – 5: Regulations, Airspace & Requirements, Weather, Loading & Performance, and Operations.  The Recurrent Knowledge Test does not cover Weather or Loading & Performance.

Miriam McNabb

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

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