Does a Part 107 certificate expire?
No. The Remote Pilot Certificate itself does not expire. What needs attention is your eligibility to exercise Part 107 flying privileges. Under 14 CFR 107.65, you must have passed the initial aeronautical knowledge test or completed recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months. Think of this as a currency requirement rather than replacing the certificate you already hold.
Keeping those ideas separate makes the process easier to understand. If your currency lapses, the certificate has not vanished and there is no penalty just for being out of currency. You may not fly under Part 107 while lapsed. Completing the applicable recurrent course restores your ability to fly under the rule without repeating the original test.
How do you take the Part 107 recurrent training?
Go to FAASafety.gov and find ALC-677, Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent. Take the FAA's online course and keep your completion certificate as proof. This is the official free training route for remote pilots who need to refresh their Part 107 knowledge. There is no testing center appointment and no fee for the recurrent course.
A pilot who holds a Part 61 pilot certificate with a current flight review takes ALC-515 instead. Choose the path that matches your qualifications. If you are unsure which training applies to you, use the official FAA course information rather than a sales page offering to renew your certificate for a charge.
When does the recurrent training clock run out?
The rule uses calendar months, not a count of days from the moment you finish a lesson. The FAA's example is especially clear: completing ALC-677 on April 6, 2021 permits flying under Part 107 through April 30, 2023. Notice that the permitted period runs to the end of the relevant month, rather than ending on the same day of the month as your course completion.
Keep your completion certificate somewhere you can retrieve it. It is your proof that you completed the recurrent training. When planning flights, check your own completion date and the calendar-month rule before flying, particularly if you have not flown for a while. Do not rely on the fact that your certificate remains in your possession as proof that your knowledge currency is still valid.
What if your Part 107 currency has lapsed?
There is no penalty simply because you let currency lapse, but you may not fly under Part 107 until you complete the recurrent training. You do not have to schedule the initial UAG test again. Take the applicable free FAA online course, retain the completion certificate and then confirm that you are current before returning to Part 107 operations.
This is different from failing the initial knowledge test. A failed initial test has its own retest rule; a lapse in recurrent currency is addressed through training. Avoid mixing those paths when searching for help online. Your original Remote Pilot Certificate does not expire, even when you temporarily cannot exercise its Part 107 privileges.
Is Part 107 renewal free or do you need a recurrent test?
The FAA recurrent training is free on FAASafety.gov. Since April 2021, the recurring requirement has been fulfilled through online training; before that it was a test at a testing center. Some older articles still describe the former testing-center process. Check the official course rather than treating an outdated article as a current booking instruction.
Be wary of websites that charge money to renew your certificate. A private study service may offer useful education, but that is not the FAA's required free course. You should not need to pay a third party just to complete ALC-677. Likewise, Part 107 Prep is an independent app for the initial UAG knowledge test, not a substitute for official recurrent training.
What should you keep after recurrent training?
Keep your FAA course completion certificate as proof. The point is to be able to show that your knowledge is current when you fly under Part 107. Preserve the completion record where you can access it when planning an operation, along with your understanding of when the calendar-month window ends.
A good habit is to revisit the official FAA course page whenever you need to complete recurrent training, rather than following a checkout flow on a site that merely mentions the FAA. The course belongs to the FAA and the currency requirement is distinct from the optional tools used to prepare for the initial exam.
Can the Part 107 Prep app replace the FAA course?
No. Part 107 Prep focuses on preparation for the initial UAG test. It offers free daily practice and an optional $14.99 one-time Premium purchase with no subscription, including exam-style questions, FAA charts and explanations with ACS codes. Those tools can support initial study, but they are not the recurrent course required to maintain currency.
When recurrent training is due, use FAASafety.gov and the appropriate FAA course. Our practice questions are not an official FAA renewal process and we are not affiliated with the FAA or PSI. Being clear about that difference can save you both money and confusion when you search for Part 107 renewal information.