Part 107 Recurrent Training Guide
The UGR recurrent test was discontinued April 6, 2021 — Part 107 currency now runs on free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months instead.
There is no recurrent test anymore. A lot of study sites still describe retaking a “UGR” knowledge test to stay current — that requirement was removed years ago. Here’s what actually keeps a Remote Pilot Certificate current today.
The UGR test was discontinued April 6, 2021
“Beginning April 6, 2021, the Unmanned Aircraft Recurrent (UGR) airman knowledge test will no longer be offered for knowledge recency. Any person who holds a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Aircraft Rating may take recurrent training in place of the UGR airman knowledge test.”
— FAA Airman Testing Standards Branch, Changes to Testing for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Aircraft Rating (uas_testing_information.pdf, p. 1, issued April 5, 2021)
The same change that retired the UGR test also folded Operations Over People, Remote Identification, and Night Operations into the single UAG initial test, rather than testing them separately.
The current rule: recurrent training every 24 calendar months
After you receive a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, you must successfully complete recurrent training within 24 calendar months of passing your initial knowledge test (or completing initial knowledge training) to keep exercising its privileges (AC_107-2A.pdf, § 6.7.2, p. 6-5). This training is free, taken online through the FAA Safety Team at faasafety.gov, and there’s no fee and no in-person test center visit.
The cycle then repeats every 24 calendar months from whenever you completed training — with one wrinkle worth knowing:
- Complete it on time or early: your next deadline is 24 calendar months from your previous deadline, not from your completion date — so finishing early doesn’t shorten your next cycle.
- Complete it late: you may not exercise certificate privileges for the gap between when it was due and when you actually finish it. Your next deadline then counts 24 calendar months from the date you completed the late training.
(AC_107-2A.pdf, § 6.7.2 and Figure 6-1, p. 6-5–6-6.)
Who needs which path
- Remote Pilots without a part 61 certificate (most drone-only pilots) follow the process above: initial knowledge test, then recurrent training every 24 months.
- Part 61 pilot certificate holders who meet the flight-review currency requirements of 14 CFR § 61.56 may complete free online training instead of the initial knowledge test in the first place (
AC_107-2A.pdf, § 6.4.2 and § 6.8, p. 6-3, 6-6) — and the same 24-month recurrent-training cycle above applies to them once certificated.
Next: see what’s actually on the test if you still need your initial certificate, check the passing score and retakes, or practice real questions. Back to the exam hub.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there still a Part 107 recurrent knowledge test?
- No — the Unmanned Aircraft Recurrent (UGR) knowledge test was discontinued April 6, 2021 and replaced by free online recurrent training (uas_testing_information.pdf, p. 1).
- See how to get certified the first time →
- How long does my Part 107 certificate last, and how often is recurrent training required?
- The certificate itself doesn't expire, but exercising it requires recurrent training within 24 calendar months of your initial knowledge test and every 24 calendar months after that (AC_107-2A.pdf, § 6.7.2, p. 6-5).
- Review the study guides →
- Does recurrent training cost anything?
- No — it's completed free online through the FAA Safety Team at faasafety.gov (uas_testing_information.pdf, p. 1).
- See the initial test's passing score →
- What happens if I complete recurrent training late?
- You may not exercise your Remote Pilot Certificate privileges during the gap between the due date and when you finish — and your next deadline then counts 24 months from your completion date, not the original due date (AC_107-2A.pdf, Figure 6-1, p. 6-6).
- See the FAA's hardest-missed topic →