Part 107 renewal: free recurrent training (ALC-677)

Does the remote pilot certificate expire every two years?

The certificate is different from the knowledge-recency requirement. The FAA's remote-pilot guidance requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency. 14 CFR 107.65 governs the recency needed to operate under the certificate.

If you are out of recency, complete the applicable training before exercising Part 107 privileges. Do not describe this as buying a new certificate every two years. The ALC-677 course page says completion satisfies the 24-month knowledge-recency requirement and supersedes the previous recurrent test.

Where do you take ALC-677?

1. Open the FAA's Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent course on FAASafety.gov.
2. Sign in or create the FAA Safety account the course requires. This is an FAA service, separate from Certbound.
3. Complete the course and its assessment according to the FAA instructions. Keep the resulting completion record.

The FAA's certification guidance labels ALC-677 "no cost." Certbound practice does not complete that course, transmit a record to FAA or renew your recency.

Is ALC-677 the right course for a Part 61 pilot?

The FAA guidance says ALC-677 is available to anyone holding a Part 107 remote pilot certificate. It separately lists ALC-515 for Part 107 remote pilots who also hold a Part 61 certificate with a current flight review.

Use the FAA's current instructions for your qualification. Do not confuse these recurrent courses with a first-time applicant's certification path or assume that holding a drone registration is the same as holding a remote pilot certificate.

How is recurrent training different from the initial test?

For first-time pilots, the FAA describes passing the initial UAG knowledge test at an approved testing center, then applying for the remote pilot certificate. PSI administers that examination; see the cost and booking guide. Follow How to get a drone license for the full first-time application process.

ALC-677 is an online recency course for people who already hold the certificate. It is not a second paid initial test and does not by itself issue a first certificate. The FAA page provides both paths side by side.

What can you review before the course?

Use the FAA course itself as the authority for its training and completion requirements. If you want to refresh chart reading or weather concepts, use the sectional legend guide and METAR and TAF study tool. The Part 107 study guide links the regulations and FAA advisory material.

Certbound is a separate study product, not an FAA training provider. There is no Certbound purchase required to take the FAA's free recurrent course. Sources checked October 20, 2026.