How often do I have to renew my pilot certificate?

A: Scenario 1: Where an individual holds a Part 101 RPAS pilot certificate they need to renew every 2 years. A competency test is required for these renewals which involves refresher theory training and a practical assessment with an examiner.

And for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Part 102 RPAS pilot, where they are not flying under an organisation's UAOC certificate,* pilots certificates also need to be renewed every 2 years. A competency test is required for these renewals which involves online refresher theory training and a practical flight assessment with an examiner. The refresher training for RPAS Part 102 pilots covers both Part 101 and Part 102 course curriculum.

*Note: An individual can attain a Part 102 RPAS pilot certificate, but unless they are flying under an organisation’s UAOC certificate, they can only operate under Part 101 rules. If you fly under an organisation’s UAOC as a Part 102 RPAS pilot, it is only at that point that you are permitted to fly outside of the Part 101 rules. When flying outside of the Part 101 rules under an organisation’s UAOC, you are flying under what is termed as, the privileges that CAA have approved for that organisation. These flying privileges are recorded in what is known as the organisation’s Exposition and they will vary between each UAOC organisation.

Scenario 2: Where an individual is flying as a 102 RPAS Pilot under the umbrella of an organisation that holds a UAOC certificate. The organisation requires the individual to undergo an annual Operational Competency Assessment (OCA). As long as the Part 102 RPAS pilot is operating under a UAOC umbrella they are not required to separately renew their individual pilot’s certificate. The UAOC OCA (Operational Competency Assessment) requirement is sufficient.