Regulation Text
§ 61.49 Retesting after failure.
(a) An applicant for a knowledge or practical test who fails that test may reapply for the test only after the applicant has received:
(1) The necessary training from an authorized instructor who has determined that the applicant is proficient to pass the test; and
(2) An endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave the applicant the additional training.
(b) An applicant for a flight instructor certificate with an airplane category rating or, for a flight instructor certificate with a glider category rating, who has failed the practical test due to deficiencies in instructional proficiency on stall awareness, spin entry, spins, or spin recovery must:
(1) Comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section before being retested;
(2) Bring an aircraft to the retest that is of the appropriate aircraft category for the rating sought and is certificated for spins; and
(3) Demonstrate satisfactory instructional proficiency on stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery to an examiner during the retest.
Research Notes
Research Notes
This section establishes the gate between a test failure and a retest. The requirement is not simply waiting a set number of days — it is proof of additional training and instructor determination of proficiency. The FAA's intent is to prevent applicants from immediately rescheduling without addressing the deficiencies that caused the failure.
Endorsement requirements: The endorsement for a retest is distinct from the original endorsement for the test. AC 61-65 (current edition) provides the recommended language for retest endorsements. The instructor must have actually provided additional training relevant to the failed areas — it is not sufficient for a different instructor to simply sign off that the applicant is ready without having observed or corrected the deficient performance.
The CFI spin requirement (paragraph b): This is one of the most operationally significant provisions in the retesting rules. A CFI airplane or glider candidate who fails specifically on spins must bring a spin-certificated aircraft to the retest. Not all training aircraft are certificated for intentional spins — many are limited to unintentional spins or spin recovery only. The applicant must verify the aircraft's POH limitations section before scheduling a retest. This prevents situations where the examiner and applicant show up without a suitable aircraft.
No mandatory waiting period: Unlike some state driver's license rules, § 61.49 does not require a specific waiting period between failure and retest. The gating mechanism is the additional training and endorsement, not calendar time. An applicant who receives training and an endorsement the same day as the failure may theoretically retest the next day — though scheduling logistics usually make this impractical.
Knowledge test specifics: For knowledge (written) test failures, the same rule applies. The applicant needs additional instruction and an endorsement before retaking the test. However, knowledge test failures are handled differently from a registration standpoint through IACRA and the testing vendor system.
Amendment History
Amendment History Coming Soon
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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.