Recent experience requirements

To act as a ground instructor, you must have performed at least one of these activities within the past 12 calendar months:

• Worked as a ground instructor providing training to pilots, flight instructors, or ground instructors
• Worked as a flight instructor providing ground or flight training
• Completed an FAA-approved flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) and received a graduation certificate
• Received an endorsement from an authorized instructor confirming you've demonstrated knowledge in the applicable subject areas for your ground instructor certificate

This regulation ensures ground instructors stay current and maintain their teaching proficiency. If you haven't done any of these activities in the past year, you cannot legally perform ground instructor duties until you meet one of these requirements. The easiest option for many is completing a FIRC, which satisfies currency for both flight and ground instructor certificates.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*