Recurrent Testing and Staying FAA Compliant
Introduction
The FAA Part 107 certificate is your ticket to professional drone work — but it’s not a one-and-done process. Every two years, drone pilots must complete a recurrent knowledge test to stay compliant and legally fly for commercial purposes. This requirement ensures that every operator maintains current awareness of changing airspace regulations, safety procedures, and operational rules.
Recurrent testing isn’t just a bureaucratic step; it’s a marker of professionalism. Pilots who stay sharp build trust with clients and protect their business from costly fines or job delays.
Section 1 – Context & Industry Background
When the FAA introduced Part 107 in 2016, it marked the first structured path for small-UAS operators to fly commercially in U.S. airspace. Since then, rules have evolved—new airspace classifications, remote-ID requirements, night operations, and waiver updates all shape how pilots operate today.
Professional drone operators now serve construction, energy, agriculture, real estate, and emergency-response clients who expect full regulatory compliance. For these clients, a current certificate is a baseline requirement.
As the industry matures, recurrent testing acts as a quality-control system. It keeps the community aligned with updated standards and helps prevent incidents that could tighten regulations for everyone. FAA data show that over 60% of enforcement cases stem from outdated knowledge or misunderstanding of airspace rules—something that regular refreshers directly prevent.
Section 2 – Problem or Challenge
Many new pilots underestimate how fast rules change. A regulation that was valid two years ago may now include new Remote ID requirements, different waiver processes, or updated weather minimums.
A common mistake new operators make is waiting until their certificate is about to expire. If they miss the window, they can’t legally perform paid work until they renew—and that pause can cost clients and income. Others confuse the initial knowledge test with the recurrent online training, leading to unnecessary testing center fees or compliance gaps.
Without a clear tracking system, it’s easy to lose sight of renewal dates, training updates, and documentation. This not only risks FAA penalties but also weakens credibility with insurance providers or enterprise clients who demand current certification proof.
Section 3 – Step-by-Step Solution / Process Map
Flomaps structures the path to staying compliant in clear, repeatable steps:
Step 1 — Confirm Your Certification Expiration
Log in to your FAA IACRA account or check your printed certificate issue date. The recurrent requirement triggers every 24 calendar months from your test date.
Benefit: You’ll know your timeline early and avoid last-minute stress.
Step 2 — Access FAA’s Free Online Recurrent Training
The FAA now offers Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent Training directly through the FAA Safety Team (FAAST) website. No testing-center fee, no proctor. Complete the modules and quiz online.
Benefit: You stay compliant for free and on your own schedule.
Step 3 — Review What’s Changed
Before you click “start,” skim the FAA’s “Summary of Changes” section. Topics often include updated night-flight rules, operations over people, and Remote ID.
Benefit: Keeps your situational awareness current—critical for safety and client trust.
Step 4 — Document and Store Your Completion Record
Download your recurrent completion certificate and back it up digitally (PDF). Keep it with your airspace authorizations, insurance, and registration docs.
Benefit: Immediate proof of compliance for clients, insurers, and auditors.
Step 5 — Set Up Renewal Reminders
Use calendar alerts or a compliance-tracking spreadsheet. Flomaps provides templates that simplify documentation and renewal tracking.
Benefit: You’ll never miss a deadline—and you project professionalism to every client.
Section 4 – Tools, Training, or Resource Insights
A strong compliance routine relies on simple systems rather than expensive software.
- FAA Safety Team (FAAST) portal: Hosts the official recurrent course and printable completion certificate.
- IACRA account dashboard: Verifies certification status and airman record updates.
- Record-keeping templates: Flomaps-style sheets organize your license, insurance, and airspace authorizations in one place.
- Renewal-tracking apps or calendars: Google Calendar or Notion reminders keep compliance visible.
- Peer-learning groups: Online communities and webinars often discuss new FAA circulars or local enforcement stories before they hit mainstream news.
Look for platforms that centralize your compliance data—license dates, COIs, and maintenance logs—so you can share proof instantly with clients or regulators.
Section 5 – Trust & Clarity Section (“Flomaps Take”)
Flomaps Take: Staying compliant is about confidence, not red tape. Treat your recurrent test as a professional reset—a way to prove you know your craft and respect the airspace. Operators who track their credentials earn more trust, qualify for bigger contracts, and protect the freedom to fly.
Section 6 – Next Step
Renewal complete? Make it part of a broader system.
Each step strengthens your professional profile and readiness for higher-value projects.
Section 7 – Closing Summary
Every certified pilot shares the same responsibility: to keep knowledge fresh and operations safe. The recurrent test isn’t just an FAA checkbox—it’s proof that you value professionalism in a fast-moving industry.
Every confident flight starts with understanding your tools and rules.
When you map your process clearly, every next step becomes easier to take.
