Bill would let pilots show FAA certificates on their phones
Passed one chamberH.R. 2247Latest action
Sponsor: Tim Burchett · Representative · TN
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 2247 would let pilots and other FAA certificate holders use digital versions instead of paper or plastic cards.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act would let pilots and other FAA-certified aviation workers present digital versions of certificates, like pilot licenses and medical certificates, to inspectors instead of only physical copies. These could be stored on a phone or accessed via a cloud-based system, as long as they meet FAA verification rules. The FAA must update its regulations by November 30, 2028 to explain how digital certificates should be shown and verified.
Who does it affect?
This affects pilots, drone operators, mechanics, and other FAA certificate holders, as well as the FAA inspectors who check these documents.
Why does it matter?
Certificate holders would no longer be strictly required to carry a physical paper or plastic certificate, provided they can produce a valid digital version when asked.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMar 21, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Mar 25, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.