Regulation Text
§ 61.193 Flight instructor privileges.
(a) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized within the limitations of that person's flight instructor certificate and ratings to conduct ground training, flight training, certain checking events, and to issue endorsements related to:
(1) A student pilot certificate;
(2) A pilot certificate;
(3) A flight instructor certificate;
(4) A ground instructor certificate;
(5) An aircraft rating;
(6) An instrument rating;
(7) A flight review, operating privilege, or recency of experience requirement of this part, or training to maintain or improve the skills of a certificated pilot;
(8) A practical test; and
(9) A knowledge test.
(b) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, to:
(1) Accept an application for a student pilot certificate or, for an applicant who holds a pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) issued under part 61 of this chapter and meets the flight review requirements specified in § 61.56, a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating;
(2) Verify the identity of the applicant; and
(3) Verify that an applicant for a student pilot certificate meets the eligibility requirements in § 61.83 or an applicant for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating meets the eligibility requirements in § 107.61 of this chapter.
(c) The privileges authorized in this section do not permit a person who holds a flight instructor certificate to conduct operations that would otherwise require an air carrier or operating certificate or specific authorization from the Administrator.
[Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1306, Jan. 12, 2016, as amended by Docket FAA-2015-0150, Amdt. 61-137, 81 FR 42208, June 28, 2016; Docket FAA-2023-1351, Amdt. 61-156, 89 FR 80340, Oct. 2, 2024]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.193 Flight Instructor Privileges
Scope of Privileges — What a CFI Can Do
§ 61.193(a) establishes the broad scope of flight instructor privileges: ground training, flight training, certain checking events, and endorsements. The privileges listed in (a)(1) through (a)(9) cover the full range of certificates, ratings, and tests that a CFI may support. The limiting phrase — "within the limitations of that person's flight instructor certificate and ratings" — is critical. A CFI can only train for and endorse what their certificate and ratings authorize. A single-engine CFI cannot train multiengine students. A CFI without an instrument rating on their certificate cannot conduct instrument training under § 61.195(c). Source: 14 CFR § 61.193
Remote Pilot Certificate Authority — 2024 Amendment
The 2024 amendment (Docket FAA-2023-1351, Amdt. 61-156, 89 FR 80340, Oct. 2, 2024) revised § 61.193(b)(1) to clarify that a flight instructor may accept an application for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating from an applicant who holds a pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) and meets the flight review requirements of § 61.56. This authority allows CFIs to process Part 107 remote pilot certificates for already-certificated pilots who are eligible — similar to processing a student pilot certificate application. Source: 89 FR 80340
Student Pilot Certificate Acceptance Authority
Under § 61.193(b), CFIs have authority to accept student pilot certificate applications through IACRA — they can verify identity and eligibility and initiate the issuance process. This is an administrative expansion of CFI authority that reduces the burden of students having to visit an FAA FSDO or DPE. Source: FAA IACRA
Checking Events a CFI Can Conduct
Under § 61.193(a)(7), a CFI can conduct flight reviews per § 61.56 and instrument proficiency checks per § 61.57(d) — but only within the limitations of their certificate. A CFI cannot conduct an IPC without an instrument flight instructor rating. Source: 14 CFR § 61.193
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.