How to Verify a Pilot's Certificate

Quick answer

Search the FAA Airmen Inquiry (amsrvs.amssvcs.faa.gov/airmeninquiry) by name, certificate number, or unique identifier to confirm certificate type, ratings, and whether the certificate is valid. For enforcement actions, search the FAA Enforcement Information System (FAARON). Medical certificate status is not publicly available — the pilot must provide documentation.

Pilot certificate types

The FAA issues pilot certificates by privilege level. Each level authorizes progressively more complex operations:

Certificate	Abbreviation	Typical Use
Student Pilot	SP	Solo student flights only
Private Pilot	PPL	Non-commercial flight for personal use
Instrument Rating	IR	Flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)
Commercial Pilot	CPL	Paid flight operations (charter, cargo, aerial work)
Airline Transport Pilot	ATP	Required for PIC of scheduled airline operations
Flight Instructor	CFI / CFII / MEI	Authorized to provide flight instruction

Step 1: FAA Airmen Inquiry

The FAA Airmen Inquiry (amsrvs.amssvcs.faa.gov/airmeninquiry) is the primary public database for verifying airmen certificates. Search by:

First name, last name (and optionally city/state/country)
Certificate number
Unique identifier (from the Airmen Certification database)

The Airmen Inquiry returns: certificate type(s), ratings and endorsements, certificate number, and whether the certificate is valid. Note that FAA pilot certificates do not have expiration dates — but flight instructors (CFI/CFII/MEI) hold certificates that expire every 24 months and must be renewed.

The database reflects the certificate as issued — it does not show medical certificate status, recency requirements, or current flight currency. A pilot with a valid certificate may still not be legally current to fly.

Medical certificate: separate verification

Pilots operating most aircraft must hold a current FAA Medical Certificate issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Medical certificates are not publicly accessible — the pilot must provide the physical document or share through the FAA MedXPress system.

Medical Class	Required For	Duration (under 40)
First Class	ATP PIC of air carrier operations	12 months
Second Class	Commercial pilot operations	12 months
Third Class	Private pilot operations	60 months

Enforcement records: FAARON

The FAA Enforcement Information System (FAARON) contains records of FAA enforcement actions against airmen, including certificate suspensions, revocations, civil penalties, and warning notices.

FAARON is publicly accessible for formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. For aviation employment screening, background check vendors with FAA data access can provide enforcement history. Airlines and aviation employers subject to FAA regulations typically have structured background check programs that include FAARON searches.

Verification checklist for aviation employers

1. Search FAA Airmen Inquiry — confirm certificate type, ratings, and valid status
2. Request and review the physical Medical Certificate — confirm class and expiration date
3. For flight instructors — confirm CFI/CFII/MEI certificate is not expired (24-month renewal cycle)
4. Request logbooks to verify flight hours, recency requirements (3 takeoffs/landings in 90 days), and type-specific currency
5. Search FAARON enforcement records or use an aviation background check service
6. For Part 121 airline operations — comply with 49 CFR Part 1572 and DOT/TSA security threat assessment requirements

Verify aviation academic credentials

Many aviation roles require degrees from aviation-specific programs accredited by AABI (Aviation Accreditation Board International). Use VerifyED to confirm that claimed aviation degrees come from legitimate, accredited institutions.

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