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.
Research Notes
The Temporary Certificate Process
After a successful checkride, the DPE issues a temporary certificate valid for up to 120 days while the FAA's Airmen Certification Branch processes and mails the permanent plastic certificate. The temporary certificate is a full legal certificate with all the privileges of the permanent one — not a provisional or restricted document.
The temporary certificate is issued on FAA Form 8060-4. Pilots should keep it until the permanent certificate arrives. If the permanent certificate doesn't arrive within 120 days, contact the Airmen Certification Branch or check the status via IACRA.
Three ways a temporary certificate expires: (1) on the date shown on the face of the certificate; (2) when the permanent certificate is received; or (3) when notice of denial or revocation is received. The third scenario is uncommon but not unknown — if a background check after the checkride reveals a disqualifying issue, the permanent certificate may be denied even after the temporary was issued.
Contact Airmen Certification Branch: FAA Airmen Certification Inquiry.
Amendment History
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.
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.