The Commercial Pilot Certificate itself does not expire, but legally operating as a commercial pilot requires ongoing maintenance. The physical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is permanent unless it is officially surrendered, suspended, or revoked. Exercising the privileges of that certificate is conditional on meeting specific periodic requirements, including maintaining a valid medical certificate and demonstrating recent flight experience and proficiency.
Understanding the Pilot Certificate
The FAA pilot certificate is issued without an expiration date, distinguishing it from many other professional licenses. Established under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 61, this permanency means the document serves as evidence that the holder met the initial knowledge, skill, and experience standards at the time of issuance. Once a pilot successfully completes the required training and passes the practical test, the certificate is effectively granted for life. However, holding the certificate does not automatically confer the privilege to act as pilot-in-command, especially in commercial operations.
The Critical Role of the Medical Certificate
The primary mechanism controlling a commercial pilot’s ability to fly for compensation or hire is the Airman Medical Certificate, which has a defined expiration. Commercial pilots must hold at least a Second-Class Medical Certificate to exercise their privileges, as mandated by FAR Part 67. The Second-Class Medical is valid for 12 calendar months for commercial operations, regardless of the pilot’s age. After that period, the privileges of the Second-Class Medical cease, and the certificate reverts to a Third-Class Medical.
A First-Class Medical Certificate is required for pilots exercising Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) privileges, such as those flying for major airlines. For pilots under age 40, First-Class privileges are valid for 12 calendar months, while for pilots aged 40 and older, they are valid for six calendar months. After First-Class privileges expire, the certificate automatically serves as a Second-Class Medical for a period, and then reverts to a Third-Class Medical. The Third-Class Medical allows for private flying and is valid for 60 calendar months for pilots under age 40, or 24 calendar months for pilots 40 and older. A lapse in the required class of medical certificate means a pilot can no longer legally fly commercially.
Ensuring Operational Currency and Recency
Separate from medical requirements is the need to maintain operational “currency,” which is the legal requirement for recent flight experience. The general requirement for all pilots is the completion of a Flight Review, which must be accomplished every 24 calendar months. This review involves a minimum of one hour of flight training and one hour of ground training with an authorized instructor, covering general operating rules and maneuvers.
Pilots also have specific recency requirements when carrying passengers, outlined in FAR 61.57. To carry passengers during the day, the pilot must have made at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category and class. To carry passengers at night, the pilot must have performed three takeoffs and three full-stop landings between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, also within the preceding 90 days. Failure to meet these requirements does not invalidate the pilot certificate, but it prohibits the pilot from acting as pilot-in-command with passengers aboard.
Do Pilot Ratings Expire?
Like the Commercial Pilot Certificate, the specific ratings added to it—such as an Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, or a Type Rating—do not expire. These ratings are permanent endorsements confirming the pilot’s successful completion of required training and testing for that specific privilege. However, exercising the privileges of certain ratings requires separate recency checks.
The Instrument Rating is the most common example, requiring a pilot to maintain instrument currency to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). To remain current, a pilot must have logged at least six instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses using electronic systems within the preceding six calendar months. If this requirement lapses, the pilot has a six-month grace period to regain currency. If that grace period passes, an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) with an instructor or examiner is required to restore IFR privileges.
Reinstating Lapsed Commercial Privileges
Regaining lapsed commercial privileges involves addressing the specific expired requirement, either the medical certificate or operational currency. If the pilot’s medical certificate has lapsed beyond commercial validity, they simply schedule a new physical examination with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to be issued a new Second-Class Medical Certificate. This process immediately restores the medical fitness requirement.
If the pilot’s operational currency has lapsed due to missing the 24-calendar-month Flight Review, they must complete the required ground and flight training with a flight instructor. An appropriate logbook endorsement from the instructor certifies the satisfactory completion of the review, which immediately restores the privilege to act as pilot-in-command. A pilot can regain passenger-carrying recency by performing the required takeoffs and landings, with or without an instructor, provided they do not carry passengers during the currency-building flight.