Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act

# Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation would allow pilots to show digital copies of their certificates instead of always carrying physical paperwork. Currently, pilots must present paper copies of their airman certificate and medical certificate when asked by FAA inspectors, law enforcement, or other federal officials. The bill would let pilots present these documents as digital copies on their phone, tablet, or cloud storage while still allowing physical copies as an option.

The FAA would need to update its regulations to make this change official. **Who it affects and key details:** The bill primarily affects commercial and private pilots who would gain flexibility in how they carry required documentation. It doesn't eliminate the requirement to have certificates—pilots would still need valid credentials—it just modernizes how they can present them. The change is relatively straightforward and aligns with how many other industries have moved toward digital document verification. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the House by Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet advanced to a full House vote.