Temporary Certificate Eligibility & Rules — 14 CFR § 61.17

Regulation Text

§ 61.17 Temporary certificate.

(a) A temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating is issued for up to 120 days, at which time a permanent certificate will be issued to a person whom the Administrator finds qualified under this part.

(b) A temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating expires:

(1) On the expiration date shown on the certificate;

(2) Upon receipt of the permanent certificate; or

(3) Upon receipt of a notice that the certificate or rating sought is denied or revoked.

The short answer

14 CFR § 61.17 provides that a temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating is issued for up to 120 days, after which a permanent certificate is issued to a qualified person. The temporary certificate expires on its expiration date, on receipt of the permanent certificate, or on notice of denial or revocation.

Research Notes

CFI Commentary

Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.

Common Questions

How long is a temporary certificate valid?

Up to 120 days.

“A temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating is issued for up to 120 days, at which time a permanent certificate will be issued to a person whom the Administrator finds qualified under this part.” (14 CFR § 61.17(a))

When does a temporary certificate expire?

On any of three events.

“(1) On the expiration date shown on the certificate; (2) Upon receipt of the permanent certificate; or (3) Upon receipt of a notice that the certificate or rating sought is denied or revoked.” (14 CFR § 61.17(b))

Which credentials can be issued temporarily?

A temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating, per the text. The permanent certificate follows once the Administrator finds the person qualified under part 61.

Amendment History

2016-12-30

AOA Notes

These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.

Gotcha: The Temp Certificate Is a Real Certificate — And It Has a Hard Expiration

Your temporary certificate is fully legal for everything the permanent certificate allows. The problem is the 120-day clock. If your permanent certificate doesn't show up — because of a mailing error, a processing delay, or an administrative issue — you can't fly on an expired temp. Most permanent certificates arrive within 2-6 weeks, but delays happen. If you're approaching 90 days with no plastic card, contact the Airmen Certification Branch and start the inquiry process. Don't wait until day 119.

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Gotcha: A Temporary Certificate Can Be Pulled After Issuance

This rarely happens, but it's real: the FAA can issue a temporary, then conduct a background review and find a disqualifying issue — a prior certificate action, an unreported motor vehicle offense, or a medical records issue. When denial notice arrives, the temp expires immediately regardless of the 120-day window. This is one of the reasons that accurate disclosures on your application matter — incomplete applications create post-checkride complications.