Japan: re-acquiring a remote pilot certificate that lapsed through non-renewal (return-certificate course, written and practical exams waived)

In plain language

If your remote pilot certificate lapsed because you did not renew it, and less than three years have passed since it expired, you can return it and obtain a return certificate, then take the return-certificate holders' course at a registered training organisation (including its completion assessment) and a physical examination at the designated examination body to get a new certificate. The written and practical exams are waived, and the physical examination is also waived if you hold a valid pass-certificate number. This route is not available if your certificate was revoked.

Requirement as structured

Under MLIT's procedure for re-acquiring a remote pilot certificate (August 2026), a person whose certificate lapsed because its validity was not renewed, within three years of the expiry date of the most recent certificate, who has returned the certificate and received a return certificate (Ordinance for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act Art. 236-68(4)), may re-acquire the certificate by completing the return-certificate holders' course at a registered training organisation (including its completion assessment) and the physical examination at the designated examination body; the written and practical examinations are waived, and the physical examination is also waived with a valid pass-certificate number. Persons whose certificate was revoked cannot obtain a return certificate and are excluded.

Original regulatory text

【概要】 ○ 有効期間の更新を行わず技能証明が失効した方が、技能証明書返納証明書交付者講習を受講することで、効率的に技能証明を 再取得できる制度 ○ 返納証明書の交付を受けることで、登録講習機関による講習の受講（修了審査を含む）と、指定試験機関における身体検査の受 検をもって、技能証明書の再取得が可能になる（学科試験・実地試験が免除） ※詳細な手続等は次頁以降を参照ください 返納証明書の取得 返納証明書交付者講習の受講 操縦士試験 DIPSで技能証明 ・登録講習機関において受講 ・指定試験機関において受験 新規申請 失効 新 技能証明書の返納 ・学科試験、実地試験を免除 ・身体検査のみ受検（有効な合格証 明番号があれば免除） 証明書 技能証明書返納 学科 実地 交付 証明書の交付 学科講習 １等105分 / 2等80分 実地講習※ １等15分 / 2等11分 ※技能証明の取消処分によって ※マルチの場合 身体検査 失効した者を除く ・修了審査の実施 【対象者】 次のすべてに当てはまる方が本制度の対象者です ○ 技能証明の有効期間の更新を行わず、技能証明の効力が失われた方 ○ 直近に受けていた技能証明の有効期間の満了日から３年を経過していない方 ○ 技能証明書を返納し、技能証明書返納証明書（航空法施行規則第236条の68第４項）の交付を受けた方 （※1）技能証明の取消処分によって失効した者は返納証明書を取得できないため、ご留意ください。

Applies when

scope

Holders of a Japanese remote pilot certificate (技能証明) that lapsed through non-renewal

conditions

no renewal of validity, within 3 years of the latest certificate's expiry, certificate returned and return certificate issued

exclusions

Certificates lost by revocation (取消処分)

legal force

MLIT procedural guidance

course example

Multirotor: theory 105 min (1st class) / 80 min (2nd class); practical 15 / 11 min

cross references

Ordinance for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act Art. 236-68(4), Published rule 0d317a65 (return certificate)