✈️ 10 Ways to Renew Your CFI Certificate (Complete FAA Guide)
Your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate is your license to teach, mentor, and share the art of flying — but it doesn’t last forever.
Under 14 CFR §61.197, every CFI must renew their certificate every 24 calendar months to continue exercising instructor privileges.
Whether you actively instruct full-time or only occasionally, renewing your CFI on time keeps your knowledge current, your certificate valid, and your aviation career on track.
In this guide, we’ll explore 10 FAA-approved ways to renew your CFI, plus essential tips, timelines, and resources to help make your renewal stress-free.
🧭 Understanding CFI Renewal Basics
How Often Do CFIs Need to Renew?
- Every 24 calendar months from the month of issue or last renewal.
- You can renew up to 3 months (90 days) before expiration without losing any time on your next renewal cycle.
Renewal vs. Reinstatement
- Renewal applies when your certificate is still current.
- Reinstatement applies if your certificate has expired — in which case, you must pass a practical test (checkride) for any instructor rating you previously held.
🧑🏫 10 FAA-Approved Ways to Renew Your CFI Certificate
Below are the official and practical methods recognized by the FAA for renewing your instructor privileges:
1. Complete a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC)
The most common and convenient method.
16-hour course, typically completed online or in-person.
Focuses on regulatory updates, teaching techniques, and safety practices.
Accepted automatically by the FAA upon completion.
Pro Tip: Choose a reputable FIRC provider (Gleim, AOPA, Sporty’s) or participate in CFI Academy refresher training for advanced add-ons.
2. Add a New Instructor Rating (CFII, MEI, AGI)
Adding an additional rating to your CFI automatically renews all your existing instructor certificates.
Common add-ons:
CFII – Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
MEI – Multi-Engine Instructor
AGI/IGI – Ground Instructor Ratings
3. Serve as a Company Check Pilot, Chief Flight Instructor, or DPE
If you’ve served in an oversight or examiner role, you may qualify for renewal through verified experience.
Examples:
- Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
- Chief Flight Instructor (under Part 141)
- Company Check Pilot or Training Captain
You’ll need a letter of eligibility or proof of recent activity.
4. Pass a Practical Test for Any Instructor Rating
You can always renew by passing a practical test for any flight instructor rating you already hold — even if you retest for proficiency.
This is a strong option for instructors wanting to demonstrate active instructional skills.
5. Serve as a Military Instructor Pilot
Military instructor pilots with documented activity equivalent to FAA standards may renew based on their military instructional experience.
You’ll need an endorsement or letter verifying your service duties.
6. Show Evidence of Satisfactory Instructional Activity
Active CFIs who’ve instructed at least 5 students in the last 24 months and had at least one student pass a practical test may renew based on instructional experience.
Required documentation:
- Student log entries
- FAA 8710-1 form for each successful applicant
7. Teach at an FAA-Approved Institution or Part 141 School
Instructors employed at an FAA-approved flight school (Part 141 or Part 142) may qualify for renewal by demonstrating satisfactory instructional performance.
Your Chief Instructor must provide a letter verifying your active status.
8. Participate in FAA Safety Team (FAAST) Programs
Participation in the FAA’s WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program or FAAST Safety Seminars can contribute toward renewal credit under certain conditions.
While not a standalone renewal method, combining these with other instructional activity can strengthen your renewal application.
9. Serve as a Check Airman or Instructor Under 121/135 Operations
If you are a check airman or instructor under Part 121 (airline) or Part 135 (charter), this professional activity often satisfies renewal eligibility.
Documentation:
- Letter from company training department or FAA Principal Operations Inspector (POI).
10. Renewal Through FAA Practical Experience or Special Approval
In rare cases, you can renew by demonstrating continuing competency through practical experience or FAA administrative review (example: serving in FAA safety education).
Check with your local FSDO (Flight Standards District Office) for eligibility.
🗓️ When Should You Renew Your CFI?
Start at least 90 days before your certificate’s expiration date.
This allows time to:
- Choose your renewal method
- Gather documentation
- Submit your renewal via IACRA or directly to your local FSDO
CFIs often schedule their FIRC or add-on training 2–3 months in advance to ensure smooth processing.
📋 CFI Renewal Checklist
Use this quick checklist to stay on track:
✅ Verify your certificate’s expiration date
✅ Choose a renewal method
✅ Gather proof of recent instructional or training activity
✅ Complete FAA Form 8710-1
✅ Submit your renewal through IACRA or at your FSDO
✅ Keep a copy of your new certificate and records
🛩️ CFI Renewal vs. Reinstatement: Key Differences
Scenario | Action Required |
Certificate still valid | Renew by any method under §61.197 |
Certificate expired | Must take a practical test for reinstatement |
Expired more than 2 years | Same as above – practical test required |
🧠 Pro Tip: Combine Renewal with Career Growth
Renewal doesn’t have to be routine — it can be strategic.
Adding a Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) or Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) rating can simultaneously:
- Renew your CFI
- Boost employability
- Expand your teaching portfolio
- Enhance your overall proficiency
At CFI Academy, many CFIs renew through our accelerated add-on programs, combining FAA compliance with professional growth.
🚀 Conclusion: Stay Current, Stay Sharp
Renewing your CFI certificate isn’t just about compliance — it’s about staying connected to your passion for aviation, advancing your skills, and continuing to make an impact as a mentor and educator.
At CFI Academy, we make the renewal process straightforward through add-on courses and refresher training designed to help you grow as a professional pilot and instructor.
📞 Contact us today to learn how our accelerated programs can help renew your certificate — and your love for teaching the sky.
✈️ FAQ Section: CFI Renewal
You must renew your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate every 24 calendar months to continue exercising instructional privileges. Renewal can be done up to 90 days before the expiration date.
If your CFI certificate expires, you cannot renew — you must reinstate it by passing a practical test (checkride) for any instructor rating you previously held.
The most common and convenient renewal method is completing a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC), which can be taken online or in-person. It typically takes 16 hours and satisfies FAA renewal requirements.
Yes. Adding a new rating such as CFII, MEI, or AGI automatically renews your existing CFI certificate. This is a great way to stay current and expand your credentials.
No written test is required for renewal. However, if your certificate has expired and you’re reinstating it, you’ll need to pass a practical flight test with an examiner.
Yes. You can renew online through an FAA-approved FIRC provider and submit your renewal electronically via IACRA. This is one of the most efficient renewal options.
You can renew based on instructional activity by showing that at least five of your students received instruction and one passed a practical test within the last 24 months. Keep your logbooks and endorsements for verification.
Participation in the FAAST WINGS program and safety seminars can contribute toward renewal credit when combined with other qualifying activities, such as instructional experience.
You’ll need your current certificate, logbook or training records (if renewing via activity), FAA Form 8710-1, and proof of FIRC or add-on completion.
Many CFIs renew by completing an add-on rating course like the Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) or Instrument Instructor (CFII) at CFI Academy — renewing their certificate while advancing their professional skills.
