FAR 61.3 — Required Pilot Certificates

This regulation requires that every pilot acting as pilot in command or in any other required crew capacity must have a valid pilot certificate, an appropriate and current medical certificate (or BasicMed), and a government-issued photo ID in their physical possession during flight. Failure to carry these documents can result in a violation, even if the certificates are valid but were left at home. Student pilots should make carrying these documents a preflight checklist item.