MmowW's Vice Director Pippo here ๐Ÿฆ‰ Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate never expires โ€” but your authority to use it does. Every 24 calendar months, you must complete the free ALC-677 online training course to maintain currency. This guide explains exactly how the cycle works, what happens if you miss the deadline, and how to get back on track.

Quick Takeaways
  • The ALC-677 recurrent training is free, online, and has no exam
  • You must complete it every 24 calendar months from your last test or training completion
  • Your Remote Pilot Certificate never expires โ€” only your aeronautical knowledge currency does
  • If currency lapses, you cannot fly commercially until you complete the training โ€” but no re-examination is required
  • Part 61 pilots must also complete ALC-677 to exercise Part 107 privileges

Table of Contents

  1. What Section 107.65 Actually Requires
  2. Understanding the ALC-677 Course
  3. The 24-Month Cycle Explained
  4. Part 61 Pilots: Same Requirement
  5. What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
  6. Your Recurrent Training Checklist
  7. Frequently Asked Questions

    8.

    What Section 107.65 Actually Requires

    14 CFR Section 107.65 establishes the aeronautical knowledge recency requirement for all Part 107 remote pilots. The regulation is straightforward: > A person may not act as a remote pilot in command unless that person has completed one of the following within the preceding 24 calendar months: (1) the initial knowledge test, or (2) the online recurrent training course. This means that from the date you pass the UAG knowledge test or complete the ALC-677 recurrent course, a 24-month clock starts. Before that clock runs out, you must complete the recurrent training again.

    Certificate vs. Currency: The Critical Distinction

    Tip: Think of it like a driver's license (permanent credential) vs. vehicle registration (periodic renewal). Your Remote Pilot Certificate is the permanent credential โ€” no expiration date appears on the card. Your currency is the periodic renewal. Without current currency, the certificate exists but you cannot legally exercise its privileges.

    Element Expires? How to Renew
    Remote Pilot Certificate (plastic card) No โ€” permanent N/A
    Aeronautical knowledge currency Yes โ€” every 24 calendar months Complete ALC-677 (free, online)

    Understanding the ALC-677 Course

    What It Is

    ALC-677, officially titled "Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent," is the FAA's designated recurrent training course for Part 107 remote pilots. It is hosted on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website.

    Course Details

    Specification Detail
    Course name ALC-677 โ€” Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent
    Cost Free
    Format Online, self-paced
    Exam None โ€” completion-based
    Duration Varies; typically 1-2 hours
    Where to access FAA Safety Team website (faasafety.gov)
    Completion record Stored in your FAA account; accessible via IACRA

    What the Course Covers

    The ALC-677 curriculum was updated after April 6, 2021, to include the revised night operations rules and Operations Over People (Categories 1-4) under Part 107 Subpart D. The course covers:

    • Part 107 operational rules refresher (altitude, speed, visibility, cloud clearance)
    • Night operations requirements (anti-collision lighting visible 3 statute miles)
    • Operations Over People Categories 1-4 (Sections 107.100-107.150)
    • Remote ID compliance under Part 89
    • Airspace classification and LAANC procedures
    • Weather and performance considerations
    • Accident reporting under Section 107.9
    • Aeronautical decision-making and crew resource management updates

    Common Mistake: Completing an older version of the ALC-677 course that does not include the post-April 2021 night operations curriculum. Always verify you are taking the current version of the course on the FAASTeam website. The FAA periodically updates the content.

    How the Recurrent Training Replaced the Old System

    The 24-Month Cycle Explained

    How to Calculate Your Deadline

    The 24-month cycle is measured in calendar months, not days. Your deadline is the last day of the 24th calendar month after your last qualifying event.

    Calculating Your Currency Expiration
    1. Identify your last qualifying event date (either initial UAG test pass date or most recent ALC-677 completion date)
    2. Count forward 24 calendar months
    3. Your currency expires at the end of that 24th month

    Example: If you completed ALC-677 on March 15, 2025, your currency expires at the end of March 2027 (March 31, 2027). You must complete ALC-677 again before that date.

    Early Completion: Does It Shift the Cycle?

    Yes. If you complete ALC-677 early, your new 24-month cycle starts from the date of that completion โ€” not from your original deadline. This means completing early shortens your total cycle.

    Example: Your currency expires March 31, 2027. You complete ALC-677 on January 10, 2027 (about 2 months early). Your new expiration is January 31, 2029 โ€” the 24-month clock restarts from January 2027.
    Tip: There is no penalty or disadvantage to completing recurrent training early. If you are approaching your deadline and have a busy month ahead, complete it now rather than risk a lapse.

    Checking Your Currency Date

    You can verify your current currency status through:

    • IACRA account โ€” your certification records show the date of your last qualifying event
    • FAASTeam account โ€” your ALC-677 completion records are stored here
    • Your own records โ€” keep a copy of your completion certificate from each ALC-677 session

      •

      Part 61 Pilots: Same Requirement

      If you obtained your Part 107 certificate through the streamlined pathway (existing Part 61 manned aircraft certificate), you are subject to the exact same recurrent training requirement under Section 107.65.

      Common Mistake: Assuming that maintaining your Part 61 flight review (biennial flight review for manned aircraft) satisfies the Part 107 recurrent requirement. It does not. Part 61 currency and Part 107 currency are independent requirements. You must complete ALC-677 separately to maintain your Part 107 privileges.

      Part 61 Pilot Recurrent Timeline

      Event What It Does
      Part 61 Flight Review (every 24 months) Maintains manned aircraft privileges only
      ALC-677 Completion (every 24 months) Maintains Part 107 remote pilot privileges only

      What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

      Missing the 24-month recurrent training deadline does not revoke your Remote Pilot Certificate. The certificate remains valid โ€” you simply lose the legal authority to exercise Part 107 privileges until you complete the training.

      Consequences of a Currency Lapse

      1. You cannot legally act as Remote Pilot in Command for any commercial drone operation. Flying commercially without current currency is a Part 107 violation with potential civil penalties up to $27,500 per occurrence.

      1. Your certificate is not revoked. The FAA does not send a notice of revocation. The certificate sits dormant until you regain currency.

      1. No grace period exists. The moment your 24-month window closes without completion, you are non-current. There is no buffer.

      How to Regain Currency

      Regaining Currency After a Lapse
      1. Go to the FAASTeam website
      2. Complete the current ALC-677 course (free, online, no exam)
      3. Upon completion, your currency is immediately restored
      4. A new 24-month cycle begins from the completion date
      5. You may resume commercial operations immediately

      Tip: Unlike the initial certification process, regaining currency does NOT require retaking the UAG knowledge test at a testing center. Regardless of how long your currency has lapsed โ€” whether 1 month or 5 years โ€” completing the free ALC-677 course restores your authority to fly commercially.

      Your Recurrent Training Checklist

      Use this checklist to manage your 24-month cycle efficiently.

      24-Month Renewal Checklist
      • [ ] Identify your currency expiration date โ€” check IACRA or your own records for the date of your last UAG test or ALC-677 completion. Add 24 calendar months.
      • [ ] Set calendar reminders โ€” set reminders at 90 days, 30 days, and 7 days before expiration.
      • [ ] Access ALC-677 โ€” log in to the FAASTeam website. Verify you are enrolling in the current (most recent) version of the course.
      • [ ] Complete the course โ€” self-paced, typically 1-2 hours. No exam. No fee.
      • [ ] Save your completion certificate โ€” download or screenshot the completion confirmation. Store it with your Remote Pilot Certificate records.
      • [ ] Verify in IACRA โ€” confirm that your completion is reflected in your IACRA certification records.
      • [ ] Update your calendar โ€” calculate your new expiration date (24 months from completion) and set fresh reminders.
      • [ ] Review operational rule changes โ€” each ALC-677 update may introduce new regulatory content (e.g., Remote ID enforcement, Operations Over People categories, Part 108 BVLOS when finalized). Note any changes that affect your operations.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Does the ALC-677 course have a test at the end?

      No. ALC-677 is completion-based, not examination-based. You progress through the training material and your currency is restored upon completion. There are no graded questions that you must pass.

      Can I complete ALC-677 on my phone or tablet?

      The course is hosted online through the FAASTeam website and is generally accessible from any device with a web browser. However, for the best experience and to ensure your completion is properly recorded, use a desktop or laptop computer and a stable internet connection.

      My currency lapsed 3 years ago. Do I need to retake the UAG exam?

      No. Regardless of how long your currency has lapsed, completing the free ALC-677 course restores your Part 107 privileges. No re-examination at a testing center is required. Complete the course, and you are immediately current again.

      I'm a Part 61 pilot. Does my biennial flight review count for Part 107 recurrency?

      No. Part 61 flight review and Part 107 recurrent training are completely independent requirements. You must complete ALC-677 separately to maintain Part 107 currency, even if your Part 61 flight review is current.

      Is there any fee for the ALC-677 course?

      No. The ALC-677 "Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent" course is provided by the FAA at no cost. It replaced the previous in-person recurrent knowledge test (which cost ~$175) as of April 1, 2019.

      If I complete ALC-677 early, do I lose the remaining months from my current cycle?

      Yes. Your new 24-month cycle starts from the date of your early completion, not from your previous deadline. For example, completing 3 months early means your next deadline is 24 months from the early completion date, not 27 months from your original deadline.

      What if I fly commercially after my currency has lapsed?

      Flying commercially without current Part 107 currency is a regulatory violation. Civil penalties of up to $27,500 per violation may apply under 49 U.S.C. Section 46301. Additionally, your insurance coverage may be voided if you were non-current at the time of an incident.

      Summary

      Part 107 recurrent training is one of the simplest compliance requirements in the FAA's UAS framework โ€” and one of the most frequently missed. The ALC-677 course is free, online, requires no exam, and takes 1-2 hours. Yet a missed 24-month deadline grounds your commercial operations and exposes you to civil penalties. Set your calendar reminders, complete the course before the deadline, and verify your records in IACRA. That is all it takes to keep your Part 107 privileges active indefinitely.

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      This information is provided for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For official FAA regulations, please consult faa.gov/uas. MmowW acts as a compliance assistance platform โ€” operators remain fully responsible for their compliance with applicable regulations.

      References

      1. 14 CFR Section 107.65 Aeronautical Knowledge Recency โ€” https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107/subpart-C/section-107.65
      2. FAA Recurrent Training Courses Announcement โ€” https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/recurrent-training-courses-drone-pilots-available-online
      3. FAA FAQ: After Part 107 Recurrent Training โ€” https://www.faa.gov/faq/after-part-107-pilot-completes-online-alc-training-course-renew-hisher-remote-pilot-currency
      4. 14 CFR Part 107 Full Text โ€” https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107
      5. FAA Become a Drone Pilot โ€” https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
      6. FAA UAS Main Portal โ€” https://www.faa.gov/uas

      ๐Ÿ“ Update History
      • โ€” Initial publication
      โš ๏ธ Disclaimer

      This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Drone regulations change frequently โ€” always verify current requirements directly with FAA. MmowW provides compliance assistance tools and is not a substitute for professional advice where required.

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