4 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Mar 24, 2026)

Technical corrections only. The changes between v3 and v4 reflect the bill's procedural progression from being engrossed in the House to being referred to the Senate, including an update to the attesting Clerk's name. No substantive policy changes were made to the bill's text.

H.R. 2247119th CongressIntroduced Mar 21, 2025

Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act

Passed HouseTransportation and Public WorksSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
Committees: Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
Last action: Mar 25, 2026

Bottom line

The bill modernizes the process for airmen to present their FAA certificates by allowing digital versions, requiring the FAA to establish new rules for their secure use.

What it actually does

This bill amends federal aviation law to permit airmen to present either a physical or a digital copy of their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificates, including medical certificates, during inspections. It mandates the FAA to issue a final rule by November 30, 2028, to update relevant regulations to implement this change, establishing authentication and verification requirements for digital certificates.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue that this bill brings federal aviation regulations into the 21st century, offering greater convenience and efficiency for airmen by allowing them to use digital copies of their certificates. This reduces the burden of carrying physical documents and aligns with broader trends in digital identification, making compliance easier and more accessible.

Opponents contend

Critics may raise concerns about the security implications of digital certificates, including potential for fraud, hacking, or technical malfunctions during inspections. They might also highlight challenges related to ensuring reliable digital access and verification in remote areas or during power outages, potentially creating new compliance hurdles for some airmen.

The bill is exceptionally short and clear, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions and implications within minutes.

Section 2(a), amending 49 U.S.C. 44703

Sufficiency of Digital and Physical Airman Certificates

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision explicitly authorizes individuals holding FAA certificates (such as pilot or mechanic licenses, and medical certificates) to present these documents to an FAA inspector in one of two formats: either the traditional physical certificate issued by the Administrator, or a digital certificate. The digital certificate must be issued by the Administrator, stored on an electronic device or a cloud-based system (where connectivity allows), and presented according to specific authentication and verification requirements to be established by the Administrator.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupAirmen (pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, etc.)ImpactIncreased convenience and flexibilityMechanismAbility to use digital copies of certificates via electronic devices.ScaleBroad, affecting all certificated airmen.

GroupFederal Aviation Administration (FAA)ImpactNew regulatory and technical development burdenMechanismRequirement to establish rules for digital certificate issuance, authentication, and verification.ScaleSignificant, requiring system updates and policy changes.

Supporters argue

Proponents argue that allowing digital certificates modernizes FAA regulations, making it more convenient for airmen who increasingly rely on electronic devices for operational information. This change reduces the risk of losing or damaging physical certificates and streamlines the inspection process.

Critics contend

Opponents might contend that introducing digital certificates could create new security vulnerabilities, making it easier to forge or tamper with credentials. They may also express concerns about the reliability of digital systems during inspections, especially in areas with poor internet connectivity or if an airman's device fails.

Tradeoffs

The provision balances the desire for modern convenience and efficiency for airmen against the need to maintain robust security and verification standards for critical aviation credentials. It also requires the FAA to navigate the technical challenges of digital authentication while ensuring accessibility across diverse operational environments.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.