HR2247-119

What This Bill Does

The Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act modernizes how airman certificates can be shown to FAA inspectors. It amends 49 U.S.C. 44703 to state that an individual issued an airman certificate, including a medical certificate, may present the certificate either as a physical certificate issued by the FAA Administrator or designee, or as a digital certificate issued by the Administrator and stored on an electronic device or, where sufficient connectivity exists, a cloud-based system. Digital certificates must be presented under authentication and verification requirements established by the FAA Administrator. The FAA must issue a final rule by November 30, 2028, updating 14 CFR parts 61, 63, 65, 67, and 107 and any applicable guidance and policies.

Who Benefits and How

Pilots benefit because they can use FAA-issued digital certificates instead of relying only on physical cards or papers. Aviation mechanics, dispatchers, flight engineers, and other certificate holders under parts 63 and 65 benefit from digital certificate acceptance. Drone pilots operating under part 107 benefit if remote pilot certificates can be presented digitally. Aviation medical certificate holders benefit because the bill expressly includes medical certificates. FAA inspectors benefit from authentication and verification rules for checking digital credentials. Aviation employers benefit from easier credential verification for covered personnel.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The FAA Administrator must establish authentication and verification requirements and issue final rules by November 30, 2028. FAA information-technology staff must support digital certificate issuance, storage, cloud presentation where connectivity allows, and inspector verification. FAA inspectors must learn and apply new procedures for physical and digital certificate review. Certificate holders using digital formats must maintain access to an electronic device or cloud system when presenting credentials. Aviation training and compliance offices must update policies and guidance for certificate checks.

Key Provisions

• Allows FAA certificate holders to present a physical certificate.
• Allows FAA-issued digital certificates stored on an electronic device.
• Allows cloud-based digital certificates where sufficient connectivity exists.
• Applies to airman certificates, including medical certificates.
• Requires FAA authentication and verification requirements for digital presentation.
• Requires a final rule by November 30, 2028, updating parts 61, 63, 65, 67, and 107.
• Requires conforming updates to applicable FAA guidance and policies.