On Dec. 1, 2024, the FAA stopped adding an expiration date on newly issued CFI certificates.
This change is part of a rulemaking published by the FAA in the Federal Register and will save an estimated $5.6 million over five years.
In essence, the new rule streamlines administrative processes without altering the core duties and responsibilities of flight instructors.
The rule does introduce a “grace period” for CFIs whose required currency has recently expired.
“If your CFI currency expires, you have a three-month window in which you can ‘reinstate’ the CFI currency using a FIRC,” writes Designated Pilot Examiner Jason Blair at his website. “I anticipate that an application at this point would require the CFI to indicate ‘reinstatement’ instead of ‘renewal’, but this offers the CFI who missed their renewal window a short period of time after which they can still reinstate the CFI privileges without having to go through a full ‘CFI reinstatement practical test.’”
Here’s what hasn’t changed:
Fundamental Certification Requirements: Applicants must still pass the FAA knowledge tests, complete the required flight training, and pass the practical test to earn their instructor certificate.
Privileges and Limitations: The scope of a CFI’s privileges (e.g., conducting training, endorsements, and evaluations for certificates or ratings) and associated limitations remain the same under this rule change. CFIs are still subject to the same eligibility and medical certification requirements as before.
Recordkeeping Obligations: CFIs must continue to maintain detailed records of the students they train, including the type of instruction provided and endorsements for practical or knowledge tests. These records remain critical for ensuring compliance with FAA regulations and for audits, according to FAA officials.
Practical Test for Reinstatement (After Major Lapse): While the rule makes it easier to reinstate recently lapsed instructors (within three months), CFIs who fail to meet the new recency requirements for longer periods will still need to pass a practical test to reinstate their privileges.
Safety Emphasis: The FAA continues to prioritize safety and expects CFIs to maintain proficiency. The rule change introduces new flexibility, but the emphasis on ensuring CFIs are current and actively engaged in training remains a core principle, agency officials noted.
No Effect on Other Certificates: This rule applies only to flight instructor certificates. Private, commercial, and ATP certificates remain unaffected.
Endorsement Requirements for Students: The rules for endorsing students (e.g., for solo flights, practical tests, or knowledge tests) remain unchanged. CFIs must still ensure that students meet the FAA’s training and proficiency standards before providing endorsements.
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses (FIRCs): FIRCs remain a valid and widely used option for CFIs to maintain currency. While the rule adds flexibility for lapsed instructors, FIRCs will continue to be a key pathway for active instructors to meet recency requirements, FAA officials concluded.
