A virtual CFI "renewal" (officially: establishing recent experience under 14 CFR §61.197) is an administrative action — no checkride. You bring a qualifying recent-experience method (FIRC, activity, or graduate-of-students), we verify on a 20-minute video call, the 8710-1 is signed via IACRA by the DPE, and the temporary certificate is yours same-appointment. $200 flat.
Heads up — the FAA changed the terminology (Dec 1, 2024)
The FAA's final rule effective December 1, 2024 removed the expiration date from the CFI certificate. The certificate no longer "expires" — instead, it has a Recent Experience End Date (REED). What everyone still calls "CFI renewal" is officially establishing recent experience under §61.197. The work is essentially the same — the DPE still validates your IACRA 8710-1 — but the language is new. You'll see both terms on this page.
How a virtual CFI renewal (establishing recent experience) actually works
Establishing CFI recent experience is an administrative action under 14 CFR §61.197 — not a practical test. There is no checkride component. The DPE's role is to verify your eligibility, review your qualifying recent-experience method, sign the IACRA 8710-1, and issue the temporary certificate — all of which can be done over a secure video call. Even under the Dec 2024 rule, the DPE-validated 8710-1 remains the only way to record your recent experience with the FAA — CFIs cannot self-file.
The video appointment is typically 20 minutes from connection to certificate issuance. Most of that time is spent confirming identity and walking through the IACRA fields together. Total turnaround from your initial inquiry to a temporary certificate is 3–5 business days, depending on how quickly intake documents are returned.
Recent-experience methods — you need one of these
Per 14 CFR §61.197 (post-Dec 2024 terminology), your 24-month recent experience can be established via one of these methods:
- FIRC graduation within the last 3 calendar months (most common; an approved Flight Instructor Refresher Course)
- Graduate-of-students activity — endorsed 5 students for practical tests in the prior 24 calendar months with an 80%+ first-attempt pass rate
- Examiner activity — completed activity as a DPE, ACR, FAA inspector, or chief instructor of an approved Part 141 school
- FAA inspector check — passed an instructor proficiency check given by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector within the prior 24 months
- WINGS-based (new option) — completed a WINGS Phase plus 15 evaluations of at least 5 different pilots in the prior 24 months (added by the 2024 rule)
Daytona DPE doesn't run the FIRC or supply the recent-experience method. You arrive with one in hand; we handle the administrative step that records it with the FAA via 8710-1.
What you'll need
After you submit the contact form, you'll get a CFI Renewal document checklist by email. Generally:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Current CFI certificate
- Recent-experience method documentation (FIRC graduation certificate, graduate-of-students activity log, WINGS phase record, etc.)
- Started IACRA 8710-1 application (FTN required) — the DPE side is signed during the appointment
- Knowledge of your FAA Designee identifier — provided in the intake email
How fast can you get scheduled?
Most pilots are scheduled within a few business days of submitting the contact form. A minimum of 24 hours advance notice is required so the FAA Designee Management System (DMS) entry can be created before the appointment — this is non-negotiable per FAA policy.
If your FIRC graduation certificate is expiring inside a week, mention it in your contact-form message. Same-week appointments are usually possible.
Where can you take the call from?
Anywhere with a stable internet connection. Pilots have completed virtual CFI renewals with Daytona DPE from home offices, FBO lounges, hotel rooms, crashpads, and overseas military housing. The video meeting platform doesn't require you to install anything beyond a standard browser. A working webcam and a quiet space are the only physical requirements.
What about the permanent certificate?
The temporary certificate is signed and issued at the end of the video appointment and is immediately valid for instruction. The permanent plastic certificate is mailed by the FAA to the address on your IACRA application within 4 to 6 weeks.
What if my CFI recent experience has lapsed beyond the 3-month grace?
Under the Dec 2024 rule, CFIs who pass their REED have a 3-calendar-month grace window during which instructional privileges are suspended but recent experience can still be reestablished by completing an approved FIRC. After the grace closes, reinstatement requires a practical test (an in-person checkride) rather than an administrative DPE appointment.
If you're inside the grace window, Daytona DPE can still handle the administrative step the same day you graduate your FIRC. Read the full guide to recent experience and reinstatement →
Pricing — $200 flat
Every Daytona DPE service is $200 — CFI recent experience (renewal) included. The fee is collected only after the appointment is complete and the certificate is issued. Payment is by Zelle or Venmo at the appointment.
There are no:
- Discontinuance fees if you're determined unqualified during the appointment
- Rescheduling fees
- Travel fees
- Online-payment surcharges
If something comes up during the appointment that means you're not ready to be renewed today — maybe your FIRC certificate is just past 3 months, or there's an IACRA error that needs fixing — there's no charge. We discuss what's needed and you come back when ready.
More on pricing → View pricing details
Who you're booking with
Daytona DPE is run by Thomas Dowell, an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner with 5+ years of designation experience and a background in military aviation, flight-school ownership, Part 135, Part 121 supplement, and Part 121 scheduled service.
About the examiner → /about/
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Ready to establish your CFI recent experience online?
Submit the contact form. You'll have an intake email with your document checklist within 24 hours.
Schedule your virtual CFI appointment →