Part 107 Renewal: Step-by-Step Guide to the FAA’s Recurrent Test

If you hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, you need to renew it every 24 months to stay current for commercial drone operations.

The renewal process—officially called the Part 107 recurrent training—is now free, online, and takes just a few hours to complete through the FAA.

Before 2021, remote pilots had to pay for and pass an in-person knowledge test to stay current.

Today, the entire renewal process happens online, with no testing center visit or exam fee. Once you complete the training and pass the online test, your currency is automatically extended for another 24 months.

Whether you fly drones for real estate, inspection, or public safety, staying current is essential for legal commercial operations. This guide will show you how the renewal works, what to expect from the Part 107 recurrent test, and how to avoid letting your renewal lapse.

Here’s everything we cover in this guide:

• How to Renew Your Part 107—A Step-by-Step Guide
• Part 107 Renewal FAQ
• Nuances, Edge Cases & Special Situations
• 5 Part 107 Recurrent Test Best Practices & Pro Tips
• Part 107 Resources

How to Renew Your Part 107—A Step-by-Step Guide

This section walks you through the full FAA Part 107 renewal process, from logging in to saving your completion certificate.

Here’s the step-by-step process for your Part 107 renewal:

1) Log in or create your FAASafety.gov account

Go to FAASafety.gov and sign in. If you’ve never used the site, create an account with the same name and email you use for FAA records.

2) Choose the correct course

Select the online recurrent course that applies to you:

• ALC-677. Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (most commercial drone pilots)→jump straight to this course.
• ALC-515. Part 61 pilots with a current flight review→jump straight to this course.

3) Enroll and review the training modules

Start the course and work through the lessons.

• You can complete the training in multiple sessions.
• Your progress is saved as you go.

4) Complete the quizzes and final test

The training takes about 2 hours. At the end of the course, you’ll have 90 minutes to pass a 45-question multiple-choice test.

• Answer all questions correctly to pass.
• You can retake questions as needed.
• Use notes and FAA references as you go.

5) Download and save your completion certificate

After passing, download the PDF certificate.

Pro tip: Save it to cloud storage, email it to yourself, and keep a printed copy with your flight kit.

Next Steps

After you pass, consider:

• Keeping proof of your renewal with you when flying commercially. Have your remote pilot certificate and your most recent recurrent completion handy during operations. Clients and insurers may request it.
• Set your next reminder. Your 24-month clock starts on the date shown on the completion certificate. Add a calendar reminder 2–4 weeks before that date to renew again.

The 2021 Update

As we mentioned above, the Part 107 renewal process used to be a lot more onerous.

Part 107 Renewal FAQ

Here are answers to the most common questions about renewing your Part 107 certificate.

Can I renew my Part 107 online?

Yes, the FAA offers part 107 renewal online via FAASafety.gov. You can complete the training and test on your own schedule, save your certificate, and be current the same day.

How do I renew my FAA Part 107?

Log in to FAASafety.gov, enroll in the online recurrent training, and complete the final test. Most remote pilots take the course called ALC-677. Current Part 61 pilots take the course called ALC-515. Download your completion certificate and keep it with your records. Your renewal updates your currency for another 24 months.

How much does it cost to renew Part 107?

The renewal is free online through the FAA. Only the initial Part 107 knowledge test requires a fee at a test center. If a provider charges for “renewal prep,” that’s optional and not required by the FAA.

How long is Part 107 renewal good for?

Your renewal is good for 24 calendar months from the date on your completion certificate. Set a reminder a few weeks before that date to renew again. If you renew early, the new 24-month period starts on the new completion date.

How hard is the Part 107 renewal test?

It’s a straightforward online test you can complete with notes and FAA references. You can retake questions until you achieve a passing score. Most pilots find it easier than the initial knowledge test because it’s focused on recurrent topics.

What happens if I let my renewal lapse?

You’re no longer current and can’t fly commercially until you complete the online recurrent training again. Once finished, your currency is restored immediately. There’s no need to retake the initial knowledge test unless other disqualifying issues apply.

What are the Part 107 renewal requirements?

Complete the FAA’s online recurrent training and pass the associated test every 24 months. Keep proof of completion with your pilot documents and available during operations. Choose the correct course (ALC-677 for most, ALC-515 for current Part 61 pilots) to meet part 107 renewal requirements.

Are there scams that charge for Part 107 renewal?

Yes. The official FAA renewal is always free and hosted only on FAASafety.gov. Be cautious of websites or ads that request payment to “renew” your certificate—these are not affiliated with the FAA and cannot issue official completion certificates.

Nuances, Edge Cases & Special Situations

Most drone pilots can complete their Part 107 renewal online without any problems, but a few special situations are worth highlighting here.

If you hold a Part 61 manned aircraft certificate

Pilots who already hold a Part 61 certificate and have a current flight review don’t need to take the standard ALC-677 training course.

Instead, they complete the ALC-515 training course, titled “Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Recurrent Training for Part 61 Pilots.”

Both courses meet FAA renewal requirements, but the Part 61 path assumes a baseline understanding of airspace and flight rules. The result is the same—continued currency under Part 107 for another 24 months.

If your renewal has lapsed

If more than 24 months have passed since your last recurrent training, you’re simply out of currency.

The fix is easy: log in to FAASafety.gov, complete the online recurrent course, and your currency is restored immediately.

There’s no penalty or need to retake the initial knowledge test. You can’t fly commercially until you renew, but you can complete the process anytime to regain compliance.

If your last recurrent test was before 2021

Before 2021, remote pilots renewed by taking an in-person recurrent knowledge test at an FAA testing center. The FAA replaced that system with free online recurrent training.

If your last renewal or knowledge test was before 2021, you’ll need to take the online course to requalify. Once completed, you’ll be on the new 24-month online renewal cycle.

If you’re an international or non-U.S. pilot

The FAA issues Remote Pilot Certificates only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but non-U.S. pilots operating commercially in the U.S. under Part 107 must still meet renewal requirements.

All renewals—regardless of citizenship—are completed through FAASafety.gov, and foreign pilots must maintain currency the same way as domestic operators.

If you need to verify your exact renewal date

You can check your current status by logging in to FAASafety.gov and viewing your training record or by checking your most recent completion certificate.

FAA renewal timing follows a “24 calendar months” rule, meaning your currency extends to the end of the same month two years later. For example, if you renewed on July 5, 2025, you’ll remain current through July 31, 2027.

5 Part 107 Recurrent Test Best Practices & Pro Tips

A few small habits make Part 107 renewal simple year after year.

These tips come from pilots who renew regularly and need clean documentation for clients, insurers, and audits.

1. Save your completion certificate in multiple places

Download the PDF and store it in a cloud folder you can access from the field. Keep a printed copy with your flight kit and a backup in your ops manual. Clients and insurers may ask for proof, so organize certificates by pilot and date for quick retrieval.

2. Renew early to avoid last-minute stress

Set a reminder to renew one to two months before your expiration. Early completion resets your 24-month clock on the new date and protects you from site outages, travel conflicts, or busy seasons. It also keeps teams compliant without scrambling.

3. Keep your FAASafety.gov account active and accurate

Verify your login, name, and email before you start the renewal. Outdated contact info can delay confirmation messages and complicate records. If you forget your password, recover it first so the renewal process stays smooth.

4. Use FAA WINGS or related training for extra credit

Leverage FAA WINGS activities to stay sharp on airspace, weather, and risk management between renewals. The extra study pays off when you take the online Part 107 recurrent test and helps reinforce safe decision-making in the field. Treat WINGS as a lightweight cadence for continuous learning.

5. Integrate renewal into your operations workflow

Tie renewal checks to annual insurance renewals, equipment maintenance, or internal audits. Track dates for each pilot in a shared spreadsheet or scheduling tool and add a second reminder two weeks before currency lapses. For teams, assign an owner to monitor FAA Part 107 renewal status across the roster.

Part 107 Resources

Here’s a list of resources to help guide you in your Part 107 journey:

Get Your Part 107

• Drone Pilot Ground School. Our step-by-step Part 107 test prep course with live support and practice exams.
• Pass the Part 107 Exam with Confidence. Part 107 course details, guarantees, and what’s included.
• Drone License: How to Get FAA Part 107 Certified. Clear, straightforward Part 107 walkthrough from registration to certificate.

Laws & Remote ID

• Drone Laws (U.S. States & Countries). Our drone law hub linking to state and international regulations.
• Remote ID: Everything You Need to Know. Requirements, deadlines, and compliance options.
• FRIA Guide. Specific locations where you can fly a drone without broadcasting Remote ID, how these locations work, and how you can try to make a new one.