Your FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate does not expire — but your knowledge recency does. Under 14 CFR §107.65, you must complete recurrent training every 24 calendar months to keep exercising the privileges of a remote pilot in command. If you let the window lapse, your certificate becomes invalid for flying until you complete recurrent training. This page answers the three questions every pilot asks at renewal time: when, how, and how much.
Both the initial and recurrent exams draw their questions from the FAA's official certification standard, FAA-S-ACS-10 — our explainer breaks down what that document covers and how to study each area.
When Do You Need to Renew Your Part 107?
The requirement is measured in calendar months, not days. Training completed in August 2026 keeps you current through the last day of August 2028, regardless of the exact date you passed. The easiest way to track it: note the month you last passed a knowledge test or completed recurrent training, then count 24 months — your currency ends on the last day of that month.
- Passed in August 2026 → current through August 31, 2028
- Passed in January 2027 → current through January 31, 2029
How to Renew: Your 3 Options
1. Recurrent knowledge test (in person)
The recurrent UAG exam is shorter than the initial test: 48 multiple-choice questions in 72 minutes, with a 70% passing score (at least 34 correct). It is administered at FAA-approved testing centers (such as PSI) and covers the same knowledge areas as the initial exam, refreshed with current topics like Remote ID and LAANC.
2. Free FAA online course (ALC-677)
The FAA offers a free recurrent training course — ALC-677 — on the FAA Safety Team website (FAASafety.gov). It is completed entirely online and includes an end-of-course knowledge check. Many pilots now choose this option over sitting for the exam again.
3. Part 61 alternative (§107.74)
Pilots holding a Part 61 certificate with a current flight review may complete the alternative recurrent training under §107.74 instead.
How Much Does Part 107 Renewal Cost?
- ALC-677 online course: $0 (free, FAA-provided)
- Recurrent knowledge test: roughly $175 at an FAA-approved testing center
There is no fee to maintain the certificate itself — the FAA does not charge for renewal beyond the course or test option you choose.
What Happens If Your Renewal Expires?
Miss the 24-month window and you may no longer act as remote pilot in command until you complete recurrent training. Flying without current recurrent training means operating without a valid remote pilot certificate, which can lead to FAA enforcement action and civil penalties. Schedule your renewal a few weeks before your expiration month — never fly on expired currency.
Prepare for Your Recurrent Test
The recurrent test draws from the same knowledge areas as the initial exam, so a structured refresh is all you need. The Sky107 question bank includes 1,600+ practice questions in the official exam format, the 8 theory chapters with animated diagrams, and an AI tutor that explains why each answer is correct.
For the full breakdown of the recurrent test format, rules, and deadlines, read our in-depth guide: Part 107 Recurrent Training: Rules, Test Format, and Deadlines. Track your preparation with the 30-day study checklist and review airspace with our sectional chart guide.