Where to search for a pilot license online
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a public database called the Airmen Certification Search that lets you look up any active pilot license in the United States. You can search by the pilot's name, certificate number, or date of birth. The database shows whether someone holds a current license, what type of certificate they have (private, commercial, airline transport), and what aircraft ratings they are certified to fly.
The search tool is free and requires no login. You reach it through the FAA's official website at faa.gov. The results are limited to what the FAA considers public record — you will see the certificate type and ratings, but not personal details like address or Social Security number.
This is the only official government source for pilot license verification. No other website or service can pull directly from the FAA's records, though some third-party sites republish the same data.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA Airmen Certification Search at faa.gov is the official and only authoritative source for checking whether someone holds a valid pilot license.
- You can search by pilot name, certificate number, or date of birth, and results show the license type and aircraft ratings but not personal information.
- A current license means the pilot passed the required checkride and medical exam, but it does not tell you about their recent flying history or accident record.
- Accident and incident reports are filed separately with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and require a different search process.
- If you cannot find someone in the database, they either do not hold an active license, the name spelling differs from what you searched, or the license has expired.
How to use the FAA Airmen Certification Search
Go to faa.gov and navigate to the Airmen Certification Search page. You will see a search box with three options: search by name, by certificate number, or by date of birth. The name search is the most common route.
Type the pilot's first and last name exactly as you believe it appears on their certificate. If the first search returns no results, try variations — middle initials, nicknames, or different spellings. The database is exact-match, so "Jon" will not return results for "John."
Once you enter a name and click search, the results page shows the pilot's certificate type, the date it was issued, and all aircraft ratings (such as single-engine land, multi-engine sea, or instrument). If the certificate is expired or suspended, that status appears on the result as well.
If you have the pilot's certificate number, searching by that number is faster and more reliable than a name search. The certificate number is a unique identifier printed on the physical license.
What the search results actually tell you
A valid, current certificate in the database means the pilot passed a checkride (practical exam) and holds a medical certificate from an FAA-approved aviation medical examiner. It does not mean the pilot has flown recently, maintains a clean safety record, or is insured. It only confirms they met the requirements to hold that license on the date it was issued.
The results show ratings — the specific aircraft or conditions the pilot is certified to fly. A pilot might hold a private license with single-engine land and instrument ratings, meaning they can fly single-engine planes in instrument conditions but not multi-engine aircraft or seaplanes.
The search does not show flight hours, accident history, or violations. Those records are maintained separately by the NTSB (accidents and incidents), the FAA's Flight Standards District Office (violations and enforcement actions), and individual insurance companies (claims history).
Finding accident and incident reports
If you need to know whether a pilot has been involved in an accident or incident, you must search the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) database separately. The NTSB investigates all civil aviation accidents and serious incidents in the United States.
Go to ntsb.gov and use their Aviation Accident Database. You can search by pilot name, aircraft tail number, or accident date. Results show the date, location, aircraft type, and a summary of what happened. Full investigation reports are available as downloadable PDFs.
The NTSB database includes accidents and incidents going back decades. A pilot's name appearing in the database does not automatically mean they were at fault — the report itself will explain the circumstances and findings.
When a pilot license search returns no results
If you search the FAA database and find no record, the most common reasons are: the pilot does not hold an active license, the name spelling is different from what you searched, or the license has expired and was not renewed.
Try searching with different name variations — middle initials, full middle names instead of initials, or alternate spellings. If the person told you they hold a pilot license but the database shows nothing, ask them directly for their certificate number or the exact spelling of their name as it appears on their certificate.
Expired licenses do not appear in the active database. If someone held a license years ago but did not renew it, you will not find them in the search results. The FAA does not maintain a public archive of expired certificates.
Using pilot license information for hiring or charter decisions
If you are hiring a pilot or booking a charter flight, the FAA license search confirms the person holds the required certificate, but it is only one part of a complete background check. You should also request their logbook (which shows flight hours and experience), verify their medical certificate is current (the database does not show medical status), and check their insurance and safety record.
Charter companies and flight schools conduct more thorough vetting than the public database provides. They pull records from the FAA's Enforcement Information System (which shows violations), request copies of the pilot's medical certificate, and often review accident history independently.
If you are a consumer booking a charter flight, the company itself is responsible for pilot vetting. You can ask the company what checks they perform, but you cannot rely on the FAA search alone to determine whether someone is safe to fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a pilot's medical certificate status in the FAA search?
No. The Airmen Certification Search shows only the pilot license itself, not whether the required medical certificate is current. Medical certificates expire and must be renewed regularly. You must ask the pilot directly or request proof of a current medical certificate from an FAA-approved examiner.
Does the FAA database show violations or enforcement actions?
No. The public Airmen Certification Search shows only the certificate type and ratings. Violations, suspensions, and enforcement actions are tracked in a separate FAA system that is not publicly searchable. You can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the FAA to obtain enforcement records for a specific pilot.
How often is the FAA Airmen Certification Search updated?
The database updates regularly as pilots renew certificates, pass checkrides, or have licenses suspended or revoked. There may be a delay of a few days between when the FAA processes a change and when it appears in the public search. If you need real-time confirmation, contact the FAA directly.
What if someone claims to be a pilot but does not appear in the database?
Ask them for their certificate number and the exact spelling of their name as it appears on their license. If they cannot provide that information or the search still returns no results, they do not hold an active pilot license. It is possible they held one in the past but did not renew it, or they may be misrepresenting their credentials.
Can I search for a pilot's flight hours or experience level?
No. The FAA database does not show flight hours, experience, or recent flying activity. That information is private and held only by the pilot, their flight school or employer, and their insurance company. You must request it directly from the pilot or their employer.