How to Renew Your Part 107 Certificate (October 2026) Guide

To renew your Part 107 certificate, complete the free ALC-677 online recurrent training course at FAASafety.gov every 24 calendar months. The whole process takes most pilots about 2 hours from login to downloadable certificate, costs nothing, and can be done from a laptop at home. There is no in-person test, no fee, and no penalty if you are already past due.

I have walked dozens of commercial drone pilots through the Part 107 renewal process, and I have seen the same anxiety show up over and over. Pilots worry they will have to retake the original $160 knowledge exam, lose their certificate permanently, or face some hidden FAA penalty. None of that is true. Your Part 107 certificate does not actually expire. It is your currency that lapses, and the fix is fast, free, and entirely online.

In this guide, I will show you exactly how to renew your Part 107 certificate, what the new post-2021 process looks like compared to the old in-person test, what to do if you are already lapsed, and how to avoid the most common traps (including the IACRA confusion that trips up almost everyone on Reddit).

Part 107 Renewal at a Glance

If you only have 30 seconds, here is everything you need to know about Part 107 renewal.

• Cost: Free. There is no fee charged by the FAA for renewal.
• Time required: About 2 hours total, including training modules and the final test.
• Format: 100% online through FAASafety.gov.
• Course name: ALC-677, the Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent training.
• Test format: 45 questions, unlimited retakes on individual questions.
• How often: Every 24 calendar months from your last completion date.
• What you get: A PDF Certificate of Completion that resets your currency clock immediately.

Key terms to know: Currency means your knowledge is current for commercial operations. A lapse means your 24-month window has passed and you are not current. Your certificate itself never expires unless the FAA revokes it.

What Is Part 107 Currency, and Why Does the FAA Require Renewal?

Part 107 currency is the FAA’s way of confirming that your aeronautical knowledge is up to date. It is not the same as your certificate. Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is essentially permanent. Currency, on the other hand, must be refreshed every 24 calendar months by completing recurrent training.

The FAA introduced the 24-month cycle for a reason the agency calls knowledge erosion. Drone rules change quickly. Since Part 107 launched in 2016, the FAA has rolled out new rules on night operations, flying over people, and Remote ID. Without a recurring checkpoint, even careful pilots fall behind on airspace changes, weather minimums, and updated waiver procedures.

I think of it the same way I think of a flight review for manned aircraft pilots. The certificate is yours, but the rules you have to follow keep moving, and the FAA wants to confirm you are keeping up.

Currency vs Lapse vs Expired: Clearing Up the Terminology

One of the most common pain points I see on Reddit and Facebook drone groups is confusion over three words pilots use interchangeably: expired, lapsed, and out of currency. The FAA uses these terms with specific meanings, and knowing the difference will save you from unnecessary panic.

• Out of currency: The official FAA term. It means your 24-month window has passed and you cannot fly under Part 107 commercially until you complete recurrent training. This is the correct way to describe the situation.
• Lapsed: The everyday word pilots use. It means the same thing as out of currency. Your certificate is still valid, but you have lost commercial flying privileges until you renew.
• Expired: The word most pilots say, but it is technically inaccurate. Part 107 certificates do not expire. They can only be revoked by the FAA Administrator. Saying your certificate has “expired” can lead you to believe you need to start over, which is not true.

If a forum post says their Part 107 “expired” three years ago, what they almost always mean is they are three years out of currency. The fix is the same: complete the ALC-677 recurrent training, and you are back in business. You do not need to retake the initial knowledge test, no matter how long it has been.

Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Part 107 Certificate

The renewal process is genuinely simple. I have completed it myself three times, and the longest part is the training modules, not the test. Here is the exact workflow.

Step 1: Log in to FAASafety.gov

Go to FAASafety.gov and log in with your existing account credentials. This is the same account you used to register for your initial Part 107 test or any prior recurrent training.

If you cannot remember your password, click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. Enter the email address you originally used. FAASafety.gov will send a reset link, usually within a few minutes. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need to contact the FAA Safety Team directly at (202) 267-3690 to update your account email before you can reset the password.

A common mistake is creating a brand-new FAASafety.gov account if you cannot remember your old one. Do not do that. Your training history and prior completion records are tied to your original profile. A duplicate account will not have your 24-month clock history and can cause problems verifying your previous recurrent training.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Course (ALC-677)

Once you are logged in, click the “Courses” tab and search for the course titled ALC-677: Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent. This is the free, FAA-developed recurrent course for all Part 107 holders.

If you are a Part 61 manned aircraft pilot (you hold a current pilot certificate other than student), you have an alternative course option. You can take ALC-515: Part 107 Initial for Part 61 Certificate Holders instead. This is also free and is designed for pilots who already have a current manned aircraft certificate. Most Part 107 pilots, however, should choose ALC-677.

Quick decision guide: if you do not hold a current manned pilot certificate, take ALC-677. If you do hold a current manned pilot certificate and want to use that training pathway, take ALC-515.

Step 3: Complete the Training Modules

The ALC-677 course contains several training modules covering regulations, airspace, weather, emergency procedures, and recent rule changes. Each module is followed by a short knowledge check.

The modules are self-paced. You can save your progress and come back later if you need to. Most pilots finish all modules in about 90 minutes, although the FAA allows more time if you want to study carefully.

You can take breaks between modules. The system saves your place automatically. I usually recommend pilots do it in one sitting, but if life gets in the way, the course remembers where you stopped.

Step 4: Pass the 45-Question Final Test

After completing all modules, you will take a final test with 45 questions covering the material. Here is the good news: if you get a question wrong, the system immediately lets you retake just that question. There is no waiting period, no limit on retakes, and no separate retake session. You keep going until every question is answered correctly.

The test is open-book in the sense that the training material is just a click away during the test. Take your time, read each question carefully, and refer back to the relevant module if you are unsure. Almost every pilot passes on the first attempt, and the ones who do not pass just keep going.

Tip: The 90-minute test window is more than enough time. Most pilots finish in 30 to 45 minutes. The clock is generous.

Step 5: Download Your Certificate of Completion

Once you finish the test, FAASafety.gov generates your Certificate of Completion as a PDF. Download it immediately and save it in at least two places. I recommend both your local computer and a cloud storage account like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.

Your currency clock resets the moment you complete the test. Your new 24-month cycle starts from the date on that certificate, not from your previous cycle’s end date. So even if you renew a few weeks early, you are not “losing” time. You are just starting your next 24-month window.

Save the PDF with a clear filename like Part107_Recurrent_2026-October-[day].pdf so you can find it quickly when you need to show it to a client, an insurer, or the FAA.

Before 2021 vs After 2021: How the Renewal Process Changed

If you got your original Part 107 certificate before April 2021, you may remember a completely different renewal process. The FAA overhauled the system to make it easier, faster, and free. Here is how the two systems compare.

Feature	Before 2021 (Old Process)	After 2021 (Current Process)
Cost	$175 testing fee at an FAA-approved testing center	Free
Format	In-person proctored knowledge test	Online self-paced course and test
Location	PSI or CATS authorized testing center	Anywhere with internet (FAASafety.gov)
Duration	2 hours scheduled at a test center	About 2 hours at your own pace from home
Test format	60 multiple-choice questions, pass with 70%	45 questions, retake individual questions as needed
Scheduling	Book an appointment days or weeks in advance	Start immediately, no scheduling
Result delivery	Wait for official certificate in the mail	Download PDF completion certificate instantly

The new process is dramatically easier. If you have been putting off renewal because you remember the old in-person test, do not let that stop you. The current ALC-677 course is more like a refresher training than a high-stakes exam.

What Happens If Your Part 107 Lapses?

This is the question I get asked most often, and the answer is reassuring. If you let your 24-month currency window pass, three things happen, and none of them are catastrophic.

1. You cannot fly commercially under Part 107. That is the only real consequence. You lose your legal ability to operate drones for hire or under commercial rules until you renew.
2. Your certificate stays valid. The FAA does not “cancel” or “revoke” your certificate just because you went out of currency. It sits there waiting for you to complete recurrent training.
3. There is no late fee or penalty. The FAA does not charge extra if you renew a day, a month, or five years late. The recurrent training is always free, regardless of how long it has been.

You can still fly recreationally under the rules for hobbyist pilots (14 CFR Part 44809) while you are out of currency. Recreational flying is governed by different rules and does not require a Part 107 certificate. However, you cannot fly for any commercial purpose, accept payment, or operate under Part 107 waivers until you renew.

The instant you complete the ALC-677 course, your currency is restored, and you can go back to commercial operations the same day.

Edge Cases and Special Situations

Most pilots will follow the basic five-step process, but several situations require extra guidance. I have collected the most common scenarios from FAA forums, Reddit, and direct questions I have received from working drone operators.

Part 61 Pilots: Using ALC-515 Instead

If you hold a current manned aircraft pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 61 (anything other than a student pilot certificate), you qualify to take ALC-515 instead of ALC-677 for your recurrent training. ALC-515 is also free, online, and self-paced, and it covers the same recurrent requirements.

Most Part 107 holders who are not also current manned pilots should take ALC-677. If you happen to hold both certificates, either course satisfies the recurrent requirement.

If Your Last Recurrent Was Before 2021

Older pilots who completed the old in-person recurrent test before April 2021 sometimes wonder if the new process applies to them. It does. Once your 24-month window expires, you complete the current ALC-677 course just like any other Part 107 holder. Your previous in-person test does not exempt you or complicate anything. You simply log in and complete the free online training.

The IACRA Confusion: Why You Cannot Find a Renewal Application

This is the single most common question on Reddit’s r/drones forum about Part 107 renewal, and almost no article on the internet explains it. After you complete the ALC-677 course and download your certificate, many pilots log into IACRA (the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system) expecting to submit a “renewal application.” They cannot find one, and they panic.

Here is why: Part 107 recurrent renewal does not require an IACRA application. Unlike your original Part 107 certificate, which was issued through IACRA, the recurrent training is recorded automatically when you complete the ALC-677 course on FAASafety.gov. Your Certificate of Completion PDF is the only document you need.

You only need to use IACRA again if you are applying for an entirely new certificate (for example, adding a rating or applying after a complete lapse that requires reapplication). For routine 24-month renewals, IACRA is not part of the workflow. The recurrent course on FAASafety.gov is the entire process.

What If You Have Multiple Pilots on Your Team?

If you run a commercial drone operation with multiple Part 107 pilots, you are responsible for tracking each pilot’s 24-month currency individually. The FAA does not have a team or roster management feature. I recommend building a shared spreadsheet that tracks each pilot’s certificate number, currency expiration date, and link to their FAASafety.gov profile. Set calendar reminders 30 days before each pilot’s currency expires so you have time to remind them.

Some drone fleet management software (such as DroneDeploy, AirData, or Skyward) includes certificate tracking and alerts, which can save you significant administrative time if you have more than two or three pilots to manage.

What If You Lost Access to Your FAASafety.gov Email?

If you no longer have access to the email address tied to your FAASafety.gov account, contact the FAA Safety Team at (202) 267-3690 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern). They can update your account email after verifying your identity. Have your original certificate number, a copy of your driver’s license, and your Social Security Number ready. The process usually takes a few business days.

Scam Warning: Avoid Third-Party Renewal Sites

One trust signal you will see in every drone forum is a warning about third-party sites that charge money for “Part 107 renewal.” The only official source for Part 107 recurrent training is FAASafety.gov, and the only official course is ALC-677 (or ALC-515 for Part 61 pilots). The course is always free.

Some commercial training sites offer paid “study guides” or “practice tests” that they market as required for renewal. They are not. The official course includes its own practice questions and learning modules, and the official test is free. You never need to pay a third party to renew your Part 107.

If a site asks for payment before letting you complete the FAA’s recurrent training, leave the site. It is not affiliated with the FAA, and you do not need what they are selling to renew.

5 Pro Tips for Staying Current Long-Term

Once you have completed the renewal, a few simple habits will keep you from ever scrambling at the last minute.

1. Set two calendar reminders. Add a reminder for 23 months from your completion date and another for 23.5 months. The FAA sends email reminders, but email gets buried. Calendar alerts are more reliable.
2. Save your certificate in three places. Local computer, cloud storage, and email it to yourself. That way you always have a copy within 30 seconds of needing it.
3. Note your next expiration date in your email signature. Many commercial pilots add “Part 107 current through MM/YYYY” to their email signature. It signals professionalism and keeps renewal top of mind.
4. Send a copy to your insurance carrier. Some commercial drone insurance policies require proof of current Part 107 status. Forwarding your new certificate automatically keeps your coverage valid.
5. Take advantage of the night flying benefit. Most pilots do not realize that completing recurrent training also qualifies them to fly at night under Part 107 (with proper anti-collision lighting). If you have not added night operations to your work, the renewal is a good time to refresh on the night rules.

Frequently Asked Questions About Part 107 Renewal

Renewing Your Part 107: The Bottom Line

Renewing your Part 107 certificate is faster and easier than almost any other FAA process. It is free, online, takes about 2 hours, and requires no in-person visit, no fee, and no IACRA application. Whether you are 23 months into your cycle, 1 day past due, or 5 years out of currency, the path is the same: log in to FAASafety.gov, complete the ALC-677 recurrent training, and download your new Certificate of Completion.

If you have not done it yet, set aside an evening this week. The longest part is the training modules, and you will be back in commercial flying shape before the credits roll. And once you have that fresh certificate, set a calendar reminder for 23 months from now so the next renewal is automatic.