Required certificates and documents14 CFR 61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, privileges, and authorizations
To serve as a required pilot of a U.S. civil aircraft you need your pilot certificate, a photo ID and, unless an exception applies, a medical certificate, each in your physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft. Acting as pilot in command under IFR or in weather below VFR minimums also requires an instrument rating, or an airline transport pilot certificate with the appropriate ratings.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Pilot certificate (or a temporary certificate or other listed document) in your physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft (a)(1).
- Photo ID kept the same way, such as a driver's license, government ID card, U.S. Armed Forces ID or official passport (a)(2).
- Medical certificate issued under part 67, or other documentation acceptable to the FAA, unless one of the exceptions in (c)(2) applies (c)(1).
- An instrument rating for the aircraft, or an airline transport pilot certificate with the right ratings, to act as pilot in command under IFR or below VFR minimums (e).
- Only a flight instructor with the appropriate rating may give the training required for solo and solo cross-country flight or endorse a logbook for solo (d)(2); (d)(3) lists exceptions.
- You must present your certificates and photo ID for inspection when asked by the FAA Administrator, the NTSB, TSA or any federal, state or local law enforcement officer (l).
In plain English
Section 61.3 is the rule behind a question every student asks early on: what do I have to carry? Paragraph (a)(1) says that to serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of a U.S. civil aircraft, you must have your pilot certificate in your physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft. A temporary certificate issued under 61.17 and a few other listed documents also qualify. Paragraph (a)(2) adds a photo identification kept the same way and lists what counts: a state driver's license, a government ID card, a U.S. Armed Forces ID card, an official passport, certain airport security credentials, or another ID the Administrator finds acceptable.
Paragraph (c)(1) requires the appropriate medical certificate issued under part 67, or other documentation acceptable to the FAA, again in your physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft. Paragraph (c)(2) lists the exceptions. Among them are certain glider and balloon operations, flight instructors who are not acting as pilot in command or a required crewmember, ground instructors, and student, recreational and private pilots flying under the conditions of 61.113(i) with a U.S. driver's license.
Paragraph (e) is the instrument rule. To act as pilot in command under IFR, or in weather conditions less than the minimums for VFR flight, you need the category, class and type rating (where required) plus an instrument rating for the airplane, helicopter or powered-lift being flown, or an airline transport pilot certificate with the appropriate ratings. Paragraph (d) reserves certain jobs for flight instructors, subject to the exceptions in (d)(3): giving the training required for solo and solo cross-country flight, endorsing applicants for certificates and ratings, endorsing logbooks to show training given, and endorsing logbooks for solo privileges.
Paragraph (l) requires you to present your certificates and photo ID for inspection on request from the Administrator, an authorized NTSB or TSA representative, or any federal, state or local law enforcement officer. The section also covers foreign-registered aircraft, Category II and III operations, ground instructors and age limits for certain international airline flying, which most private pilots will not need day to day.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the pilot certificate or medical at home. Each must be in your physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft (a)(1), (c)(1).
- Forgetting the photo ID. The pilot certificate alone does not meet (a)(2).
- Assuming any rated pilot may fly in clouds. Acting as pilot in command under IFR or below VFR minimums requires an instrument rating or an airline transport pilot certificate for the aircraft (e).
The official text
14 CFR 61.3 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(a) Required pilot certificate for operating a civil aircraft of the United States. No person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft of the United States, unless that person:
(1) Has in the person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization—
(i) A pilot certificate issued under this part and in accordance with § 61.19;
(ii) A special purpose pilot authorization issued under § 61.77;
(iii) A temporary certificate issued under § 61.17;
(iv) A document conveying temporary authority to exercise certificate privileges issued by the Airmen Certification Branch under § 61.29(e);
(v) When engaged in a flight operation within the United States for a part 119 certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under part 121 or 135 of this chapter, a temporary document provided by that certificate holder under an approved certificate verification plan;
(vi) When engaged in a flight operation within the United States for a fractional ownership program manager authorized to conduct operations under part 91, subpart K, of this chapter, a temporary document provided by that program manager under an approved certificate verification plan; or
(vii) When operating an aircraft within a foreign country, a pilot license issued by that country may be used.
(2) Has a photo identification that is in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization. The photo identification must be a:
(i) Driver's license issued by a State, the District of Columbia, or territory or possession of the United States;
(ii) Government identification card issued by the Federal government, a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States;
(iii) U.S. Armed Forces' identification card;
(iv) Official passport;
(v) Credential that authorizes unescorted access to a security identification display area at an airport regulated under 49 CFR part 1542; or
(vi) Other form of identification that the Administrator finds acceptable.
(b) Required pilot certificate for operating a foreign-registered aircraft within the United States. No person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft of foreign registry within the United States, unless—
(1) That person's pilot certificate or document issued under § 61.29(e) is in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate; and
(2) Has been issued in accordance with this part, or has been issued or validated by the country in which the aircraft is registered.
(c) Medical certificate. (1) A person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of an aircraft only if that person holds the appropriate medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter, or other documentation acceptable to the FAA, that is in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section provides certain exceptions to the requirement to hold a medical certificate.
(2) A person is not required to meet the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section if that person—
(i) Is exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while seeking a pilot certificate with a glider category rating, a balloon class rating, or glider or balloon privileges;
(ii) Is exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while seeking a sport pilot certificate with other than glider or balloon privileges and holds a U.S. driver's license;
(iii) Is exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while seeking a pilot certificate with a weight-shift-control aircraft category rating or a powered parachute category rating and holds a U.S. driver's license;
(iv) Is exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate with glider or balloon privileges;
(v) Is exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate with other than glider or balloon privileges and holds a U.S. driver's license. A person who has applied for or held a medical certificate may exercise the privileges of a sport pilot certificate using a U.S. driver's license only if that person—
(A) Has been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application; and
(B) Has not had his or her most recently issued medical certificate suspended or revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate withdrawn.
(vi) Is holding a pilot certificate with a balloon class rating and that person—
(A) Is exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate in a balloon; or
(B) Is providing flight training in a balloon in accordance with § 61.133(a)(2)(ii);
(vii) Is holding a pilot certificate or a flight instructor certificate with a glider category rating, and is piloting or providing training in a glider, as appropriate;
(viii) Is exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate, provided the person is not acting as pilot in command or as a required pilot flight crewmember;
(ix) Is exercising the privileges of a ground instructor certificate;
(x) Is operating an aircraft within a foreign country using a pilot license issued by that country and possesses evidence of current medical qualification for that license;
(xi) Is operating an aircraft with a U.S. pilot certificate, issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license, issued under § 61.75, and holds a medical certificate issued by the foreign country that issued the foreign pilot license, which is in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that airman certificate;
(xii) Is a pilot of the U.S. Armed Forces, has an up-to-date U.S. military medical examination, and holds military pilot flight status;
(xiii) Is exercising the privileges of a student, recreational or private pilot certificate for operations conducted under the conditions and limitations set forth in § 61.113(i) and holds a U.S. driver's license;
(xiv) Is exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and acting as pilot in command or a required flightcrew member for operations conducted under the conditions and limitations set forth in § 61.113(i) and holds a U.S. driver's license; or
(xv) Is exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate or higher while acting as pilot in command on a special medical flight test authorized under part 67 of this chapter.
(d) Flight instructor certificate. (1) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate issued under this part must have that certificate, or other documentation acceptable to the Administrator, in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that flight instructor certificate.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, no person other than the holder of a flight instructor certificate issued under this part with the appropriate rating on that certificate may—
(i) Give training required to qualify a person for solo flight and solo cross-country flight;
(ii) Endorse an applicant for a—
(A) Pilot certificate or rating issued under this part;
(B) Flight instructor certificate or rating issued under this part; or
(C) Ground instructor certificate or rating issued under this part;
(iii) Endorse a pilot logbook to show training given; or
(iv) Endorse a logbook for solo operating privileges.
(3) A flight instructor certificate issued under this part is not necessary—
(i) Under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, if the training is given by the holder of a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air rating, provided the training is given in accordance with the privileges of the certificate in a lighter-than-air aircraft;
(ii) Under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, if the training is given by the holder of an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating appropriate to the aircraft in which the training is given, provided the training is given in accordance with the privileges of the certificate and conducted in accordance with an approved air carrier training program approved under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter;
(iii) Under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, if the training is given by a person who is qualified in accordance with subpart C of part 142 of this chapter, provided the training is conducted in accordance with an approved part 142 training program;
(iv) Under paragraphs (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(ii)(C), and (d)(2)(iii) of this section, if the training is given by the holder of a ground instructor certificate in accordance with the privileges of the certificate; or
(v) Under paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section, if the training is given by an authorized flight instructor under § 61.41 of this part.
(e) Instrument rating. No person may act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR flight unless that person holds:
(1) The appropriate aircraft category, class, type (if a class or type rating is required), and instrument rating on that person's pilot certificate for any airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift being flown;
(2) An airline transport pilot certificate with the appropriate aircraft category, class, and type rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft being flown;
(3) For a glider, a pilot certificate with a glider category rating and an airplane instrument rating; or
(4) For an airship, a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category rating and airship class rating.
(f) Category II pilot authorization. Except for a pilot conducting Category II operations under part 121 or part 135, a person may not:
(1) Act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft during Category II operations unless that person—
(i) Holds a Category II pilot authorization for that category or class of aircraft, and the type of aircraft, if applicable; or
(ii) In the case of a civil aircraft of foreign registry, is authorized by the country of registry to act as pilot in command of that aircraft in Category II operations.
(2) Act as second in command of a civil aircraft during Category II operations unless that person—
(i) Holds a pilot certificate with category and class ratings (if a class rating is required) for that aircraft and an instrument rating for that category aircraft;
(ii) Holds an airline transport pilot certificate with category and class ratings (if a class rating is required) for that aircraft; or
(iii) In the case of a civil aircraft of foreign registry, is authorized by the country of registry to act as second in command of that aircraft during Category II operations.
(g) Category III pilot authorization. Except for a pilot conducting Category III operations under part 121 or part 135, a person may not:
(1) Act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft during Category III operations unless that person—
(i) Holds a Category III pilot authorization for that category or class of aircraft, and the type of aircraft, if applicable; or
(ii) In the case of a civil aircraft of foreign registry, is authorized by the country of registry to act as pilot in command of that aircraft in Category III operations.
(2) Act as second in command of a civil aircraft during Category III operations unless that person—
(i) Holds a pilot certificate with category and class ratings (if a class rating is required) for that aircraft and an instrument rating for that category aircraft;
(ii) Holds an airline transport pilot certificate with category and class ratings (if a class rating is required) for that aircraft; or
(iii) In the case of a civil aircraft of foreign registry, is authorized by the country of registry to act as second in command of that aircraft during Category III operations.
(h) Category A aircraft pilot authorization. The Administrator may issue a certificate of authorization for a Category II or Category III operation to the pilot of a small aircraft that is a Category A aircraft, as identified in § 97.3(b)(1) of this chapter if:
(1) The Administrator determines that the Category II or Category III operation can be performed safely by that pilot under the terms of the certificate of authorization; and
(2) The Category II or Category III operation does not involve the carriage of persons or property for compensation or hire.
(i) Ground instructor certificate. (1) Each person who holds a ground instructor certificate issued under this part must have that certificate or a temporary document issued under § 61.29(e) in that person's physical possession or immediately accessible when exercising the privileges of that certificate.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(3) of this section, no person other than the holder of a ground instructor certificate, issued under this part or part 143, with the appropriate rating on that certificate may—
(i) Give ground training required to qualify a person for solo flight and solo cross-country flight;
(ii) Endorse an applicant for a knowledge test required for a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating issued under this part; or
(iii) Endorse a pilot logbook to show ground training given.
(3) A ground instructor certificate issued under this part is not necessary—
(i) Under paragraph (i)(2) of this section, if the training is given by the holder of a flight instructor certificate issued under this part in accordance with the privileges of that certificate;
(ii) Under paragraph (i)(2) of this section, if the training is given by the holder of a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air rating, provided the training is given in accordance with the privileges of the certificate in a lighter-than-air aircraft;
(iii) Under paragraph (i)(2) of this section, if the training is given by the holder of an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating appropriate to the aircraft in which the training is given, provided the training is given in accordance with the privileges of the certificate and conducted in accordance with an approved air carrier training program approved under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter;
(iv) Under paragraph (i)(2) of this section, if the training is given by a person who is qualified in accordance with subpart C of part 142 of this chapter, provided the training is conducted in accordance with an approved part 142 training program; or
(v) Under paragraph (i)(2)(iii) of this section, if the training is given by an authorized flight instructor under § 61.41 of this part.
(j) Age limitation for certain operations. (1) Age limitation. No person who holds a pilot certificate issued under this part may serve as a pilot on a civil airplane of U.S. registry in the following operations if the person has reached his or her 60th birthday or, in the case of operations with more than one pilot, his or her 65th birthday:
(i) Scheduled international air services carrying passengers in turbojet-powered airplanes;
(ii) Scheduled international air services carrying passengers in airplanes having a passenger-seat configuration of more than nine passenger seats, excluding each crewmember seat;
(iii) Nonscheduled international air transportation for compensation or hire in airplanes having a passenger-seat configuration of more than 30 passenger seats, excluding each crewmember seat; or
(iv) Scheduled international air services, or nonscheduled international air transportation for compensation or hire, in airplanes having a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds.
(2) Definitions. (i) “International air service,” as used in this paragraph (j), means scheduled air service performed in airplanes for the public transport of passengers, mail, or cargo, in which the service passes through the airspace over the territory of more than one country.
(ii) “International air transportation,” as used in this paragraph (j), means air transportation performed in airplanes for the public transport of passengers, mail, or cargo, in which the service passes through the airspace over the territory of more than one country.
(k) Special purpose pilot authorization. Any person that is required to hold a special purpose pilot authorization, issued in accordance with § 61.77 of this part, must have that authorization and the person's foreign pilot license in that person's physical possession or have it readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that authorization.
(l) Inspection of certificate. Each person who holds an airman certificate, temporary document in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(v) or (vi) of this section, medical certificate, documents establishing alternative medical qualification under part 68 of this chapter, authorization, or license required by this part must present it and their photo identification as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section for inspection upon a request from:
(1) The Administrator;
(2) An authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer; or
(4) An authorized representative of the Transportation Security Administration.
(m) For a person who possesses a sport pilot certificate. No person may exercise sport pilot privileges under § 61.313 unless that person receives a qualifying logbook endorsement under § 61.317 or § 61.321 of this part for the appropriate category and class privilege. The requirement in this paragraph (m) does not apply to a person who already holds the appropriate category and class rating on their pilot certificate.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 61.3.
ATP Single-Engine
Which record must an ATP holder produce on request from the Administrator, an authorized NTSB representative, or a law enforcement officer?
- A. The pilot certificate, medical certificate, and personal identification.
- B. The pilot logbook covering all flight time ever logged.
- C. The aircraft maintenance records.
- D. The employer's operations specifications.
Show answer
A. The pilot certificate, medical certificate, and personal identification. Certificate, medical, and photo identification must be presented on request. A logbook must be presented only for the specific records required to show currency or eligibility for the privileges being exercised.
More ATP Single-Engine practice →
Questions pilots ask
Do I have to carry my pilot certificate when I fly?
Yes. When exercising its privileges, the certificate must be in your physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft (61.3(a)(1)). The same applies to your photo ID (61.3(a)(2)) and, unless an exception applies, your medical certificate (61.3(c)(1)).
What counts as photo ID for a pilot?
A driver's license issued by a state, the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory or possession; a government ID card; a U.S. Armed Forces ID card; an official passport; a credential for unescorted access to a security identification display area at an airport regulated under 49 CFR part 1542; or another ID the Administrator finds acceptable (61.3(a)(2)).
Who can ask to see my pilot certificate?
The Administrator, an authorized representative of the NTSB, any federal, state or local law enforcement officer, or an authorized representative of TSA. You must present the certificate and your photo ID on request (61.3(l)).
Do I always need a medical certificate to fly?
No. 61.3(c)(1) requires one, but (c)(2) lists exceptions, including certain glider and balloon operations, flight instructors who are not acting as pilot in command or a required crewmember, and student, recreational and private pilots operating under 61.113(i) with a U.S. driver's license. Section 61.23 sets which class you need and how long it lasts.