FAA Introduces New Certified Flight Instructor Regulations

The FAA changed the Certified Flight Instructor certification process, effective December 1, 2024, streamlining the way CFIs stay current.

CFI regulations change highlights

Expiration dates: CFI certificates will no longer expire. Instead, instructors must meet “recent experience” requirements every 24 months to maintain their teaching privileges.

Introduction of CFI Recency: The renewal process is now called CFI Recency. The previous “Expiration Date” has been replaced with a “Recent Experience Date,” which will only be displayed on the FAA’s Airmen Registry website.

Maintaining currency: Instructors must submit an IACRA 8710 application through a Certifying Official to document their new Recent Experience Date.

Grace period: If a CFI fails to meet the recent experience requirements, they will not be able to instruct; however, there is a three-month grace period during which they cannot instruct but can complete the requirement. Exceeding the grace period invalidates the certificate.

New training pathways: CFIs with less than two years of experience but an 80% student pass rate can now train initial CFIs. Additionally, the new Flight Instructor Enhanced Qualification Training Program (FIEQTP) offers an alternate qualification method.

“Landings Current” Requirement: CFIs must now be “landings current” when conducting training as Pilot in Command.

How Does This Affect Me?

For CFIs: If you are a current or aspiring CFI, these changes mean you will no longer have to worry about expiration dates on your certificate, but instead will maintain your recent experience. Keep in mind the grace period, it provides some flexibility, but be proactive in meeting the requirements to avoid a lapse in your ability to instruct.

Questions about the new FAA CFI certification process regulations? Ask us!