What You Must Do to Recertify After Suspension

Recertification after a pilot license suspension is not automatic. The FAA does not restore your certificate straightforward because your suspension period ends. You must take specific steps in a specific order, and the process differs depending on why your license was suspended in the first place.

The general path is: determine the reason for suspension, complete any required training or medical steps, request a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) or file a Petition for Reinstatement, pass any required checkride or evaluation, and then receive written confirmation from the FAA that your certificate is restored. The timeline ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on what caused the suspension and how quickly you can complete the requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that covers your location to learn the exact reason for your suspension and what steps are required before you can recertify.
  • Medical suspensions require a new medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) before any other recertification steps can begin.
  • Suspensions for failed checkrides, proficiency checks, or safety violations typically require a new checkride or practical test with an examiner designated by the FAA.
  • A Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) allows you to fly under supervision to prove you are safe before full reinstatement, and is often required for medical or proficiency-related suspensions.
  • You must request reinstatement in writing; the FAA will not contact you when your suspension period ends.

Contact Your Local FSDO Before Taking Any Action

Your first step is to call or visit the Flight Standards District Office that has jurisdiction over where you live or where you plan to operate. The FSDO is the regional FAA office that oversees pilot certification in your area. You can find the correct office on the FAA website by entering your state and county, or by calling the FAA's general number and asking for the FSDO nearest you.

When you contact the FSDO, ask for the specific reason your license was suspended. The suspension notice you received should list a reason, but the FSDO can clarify what steps you must take to address it. Write down the name of the person you speak with, the date, and the exact requirements they give you. This conversation determines everything that follows.

Do not assume you know what is required. Different suspension reasons have different paths. A suspension for a failed medical exam requires different steps than a suspension for a failed checkride, which requires different steps than a suspension for a safety violation. The FSDO will tell you which category applies to you and what you must do next.

Medical Suspensions: Getting a New Medical Certificate

If your suspension was medical—meaning the FAA revoked or suspended your medical certificate because of a health condition, failed medical exam, or undisclosed medical history—you cannot fly under any circumstances until you have a new medical certificate in hand. This is non-negotiable.

Contact an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area. The AME will review your medical history, conduct an exam, and determine whether you can be issued a new medical certificate. If the original suspension was for a condition that has since been resolved or managed, the AME may issue the certificate. If the condition is ongoing or the AME has concerns, they may defer the decision to the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine for further review.

If the AME defers your case, the FAA will contact you with additional requirements—often a letter from your treating physician, specialist reports, or additional testing. This process can take weeks or months. Once the FAA approves your medical certificate, the AME will issue it. Only then can you move to the next step of recertification.

Proficiency and Checkride Suspensions: Requesting a SODA

If your suspension resulted from a failed checkride, a failed proficiency check, or a safety violation during a check flight, you will likely need to request a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA). A SODA is a temporary authorization that allows you to fly under the supervision of a may have access to pilot or instructor while you rebuild your skills and demonstrate you are safe to operate.

To request a SODA, contact your FSDO in writing. Include your name, certificate number, the reason for suspension, and a brief statement of what training or practice you have completed since the suspension. The FSDO will review your request and, if approved, issue a SODA letter. This letter specifies the conditions under which you can fly—usually with a designated pilot or instructor in the right seat, and only for the purpose of practicing and demonstrating proficiency.

The SODA is not a full reinstatement. It is a pathway to reinstatement. You fly under the SODA for as long as it takes to prepare for a new checkride or proficiency check. Your instructor or supervising pilot will help you determine when you are ready. Once you pass the checkride or proficiency check with an examiner designated by the FAA, the SODA expires and your full certificate is restored.

Taking the Checkride or Proficiency Check

After you have completed the required training or practice—whether that is time under a SODA, additional flight hours, or specific maneuver practice—you must schedule a new checkride or proficiency check. Contact a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) or an FAA inspector who is authorized to conduct checks in your certificate category and class.

The checkride will cover the areas where you previously failed or showed deficiency. If you failed on instrument procedures, expect the examiner to focus heavily on those. If the suspension was for a safety violation, the examiner will assess whether you understand what went wrong and have corrected the behavior. Bring all required documents: your medical certificate, photo ID, logbook, and any other materials the examiner requests.

Passing the checkride results in a new temporary airman certificate issued on the spot. This is not yet your full reinstatement, but it is the final step before it. The examiner will send the results to the FAA, and the FAA will issue written confirmation that your certificate has been restored to full status.

Filing a Petition for Reinstatement if Required

In some cases—particularly if your suspension was for a serious violation, if you did not pass a required checkride on the first attempt after suspension, or if circumstances have changed significantly—the FSDO may require you to file a formal Petition for Reinstatement with the FAA instead of or in addition to a SODA.

A Petition for Reinstatement is a written request to the FAA asking that your certificate be restored. It must include documentation of the steps you have taken to address the reason for suspension, evidence of additional training, letters of recommendation from instructors or other pilots, and a detailed explanation of why you believe you are now safe to operate. The petition is submitted to the regional FAA office or to the FAA's central office, depending on the severity of the original violation.

The FAA will review your petition and may approve it, deny it, or request additional information. This process typically takes four to eight weeks. If approved, you will receive written notice that your certificate has been reinstated. If denied, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Receiving Written Confirmation of Reinstatement

Once you have passed any required checkride, obtained a new medical certificate, or received approval of a petition, the FAA will send you written confirmation that your certificate has been restored. This letter is your proof of reinstatement. Keep it with your certificate and logbook.

Do not assume you are reinstated until you receive this letter. The temporary airman certificate issued at the end of a checkride is not the same as formal reinstatement. The examiner's paperwork must be processed by the FAA, and the FAA must issue the official notice. This usually takes one to two weeks after you pass the checkride, but it can take longer if there are delays in processing.

Once you have the reinstatement letter, your certificate is fully restored and you can resume normal flight operations under the rules that explore to your certificate category and class.

Common Mistakes That Delay Recertification

The most common mistake is not contacting the FSDO first. Pilots often assume they know what is required or try to schedule a checkride before they have completed the steps the FAA actually requires. This wastes time and money. Always call the FSDO before you do anything else.

The second mistake is not keeping records of training completed under a SODA. Your instructor should document every flight, every maneuver practiced, and your progress. The examiner will want to see this record before conducting the checkride. If you cannot show a clear progression of training, the examiner may refuse to conduct the check.

The third mistake is scheduling a checkride too soon. Pilots often want to get it over with, but rushing into a checkride you are not ready for results in another failure, which extends the suspension and requires starting the process again. Work with your instructor to determine when you are genuinely ready.

The fourth mistake is not obtaining a new medical certificate before attempting a checkride if a medical suspension was involved. Even if you pass the checkride, you cannot legally fly without a valid medical certificate. Confirm with the FSDO that a new medical certificate is in place before you schedule the check.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole recertification process take?

It depends on the reason for suspension and how quickly you complete the required steps. A medical suspension can take two to six months if the FAA needs to review your medical records. A proficiency suspension with a SODA might take four to twelve weeks of training before you are ready for a checkride. Once you pass the checkride, reinstatement is usually final within two weeks.

Can I fly at all while my license is suspended?

Not unless you have a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA). A SODA is the only authorization that allows you to fly during suspension, and it comes with strict conditions—usually requiring a may have access to pilot or instructor in the right seat. Flying without a SODA or valid certificate is a federal violation.

What if I fail the checkride a second time?

You can request another SODA and continue training, or you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge to challenge the suspension. Failing twice does not automatically result in permanent revocation, but it does signal that you need more training or that the underlying issue may not be correctable. Consult with the FSDO about your options.

Do I have to use the same examiner who suspended my license?

No. You can use any Designated Pilot Examiner or FAA inspector authorized to conduct checks in your category. In fact, using a different examiner is often a good idea because they bring a fresh perspective and no history with your previous failure.

What if I move to a different state during the recertification process?

Contact the FSDO in your new state and notify them of your suspension and recertification status. Your case will be transferred to the new FSDO, but the requirements remain the same. The new FSDO will have your file and can tell you what steps are still needed.