How to Know If the FAA Agent Rule Applies to You
This post will walk you through exactly who this applies to—and what matters most when it comes to getting compliant before the July 7 deadline.
How to Know If the FAA Agent Rule Applies to You
The new FAA rule has kicked up a lot of confusion. If you're living outside the U.S. and hold any kind of FAA certificate, you’ve probably seen the headlines, maybe skimmed the reg, and figured… “Nah. I’m not doing that.”
Totally fair reaction. On the surface, it sounds like just another layer of government red tape. But here’s the thing: FAR Part 3 Subpart C isn’t optional. It’s now a requirement for keeping your certificate valid if you live outside the U.S.
This post will walk you through exactly who this applies to—and what matters most when it comes to getting compliant before the July 7th deadline.
✅ If You Answer YES to All of These…
You’re Required to Designate an Agent for Service by July 7th
1. Do You Live Outside the United States?
That’s the key question.
If you do not maintain a physical U.S. address—whether residential or commercial—you fall under the rule.
The FAA defines this by address, not by citizenship. So even if you're a U.S. citizen living in another country and your FAA file shows a non-U.S. address, you're required to have a U.S.-based Agent for Service.
What doesn’t count?
- P.O. Boxes
- Virtual mailboxes
- Unverifiable forwarding addresses
You either need a legitimate U.S. address you control, or a properly designated agent who does.
What About U.S. Territories?
If you live in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands, you're considered to have a U.S. address under this rule. That means you do not need to designate an agent, as long as your FAA records reflect your valid address in that territory.
Just make sure your FAA file is up to date with that U.S. territory address. If it's listed as a foreign country instead (some older records are), you may still be flagged for compliance.
2. Do You Hold an FAA-Issued Certificate?
The rule applies to any individual certificate holder issued by the FAA, including:
- Any type of Pilot Certificate (Private, Commercial, ATP, etc.)
- Mechanic Certificates (A&P)
- Remote Pilot Certificates (Part 107)
- Dispatcher Certificates
- Certified Instructors (CFIs, ground, sim)
- FAA Medical Certificates
- FAA-Designated Examiners and Representatives
Still counts even if:
- You’re not actively using the certificate
- You’re retired but keeping it valid
- You only use it occasionally for freelance or contract work
It’s not about current use, it’s about maintaining your legal ability to use it.
3. Have You Been Issued a Certificate (or Will Be Soon)?
If you already have your FAA certificate and live outside the U.S., the deadline to designate an agent is July 7th, 2025.
If you’re applying for a new certificate after April 2nd, 2025, you already know, because the FAA requires your agent info on the application.
But for most certificate holders, the July 7th date is the one that matters. After that, if there’s no agent on file, your certificate isn’t valid. There’s no grace period. No extensions. The rule has already taken effect.
4. Think Using a Friend’s Address Covers You? Think Again.
Technically, the rule says you can use a physical U.S. address to remain compliant. But that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear just because you list your buddy’s place in Florida.
If that person doesn’t know they’ve been designated…
If they don’t check their mail often…
If they move and don’t tell you…
If they don’t forward you something serious in time…
That’s on you.
The FAA treats mail sent to your listed U.S. address as legally delivered. Whether you saw it or not doesn’t matter.
If you’re going that route, you better be 100% sure they’ll treat it like their job. Most people won’t.
Why This Matters More Than It Seems
Once your agent (or listed address) receives a notice from the FAA, your legal clock starts ticking.
Medical issue?
Airman inquiry?
Certificate action?
If something is sent and you don’t respond in time, you could lose the certificate you worked so hard to earn.
The FAA created this rule because too many international certificate holders were unreachable.
Letters went missing. Deadlines passed. Cases were closed. And certificate holders had no idea until it was too late.
The Safer Path: Designate a Professional
This is why thousands of international certificate holders are working with professional agents like Jet Verge.
✅ We maintain a real U.S. address
✅ We track, scan, and forward mail within hours
✅ We know what to look for in FAA notices
✅ We’ve built a system around compliance—so you don’t have to think about it
We’re not here to sell fear. Just solutions.
Still Not Sure?
No problem.
Our team is happy to talk it through with you, whether you’ve already listed an address, want to switch agents, or just want someone to double-check where you stand.
But if you know this applies to you?
Don’t put it off.
You can get fully compliant in under 15 minutes.
Get your certificate locked in before the July 7th deadline hits.
