Pilots can show FAA licenses on phones instead of paper

What it does

This bill lets pilots show their FAA licenses on phones or tablets. They can also use cloud storage instead of carrying paper copies. The FAA must write rules by November 2028. These rules will explain how to check that phone licenses are real and safe.

Who it affects

Pilots and aviation workers can now carry licenses on phones. They will not have to worry about losing or damaging paper licenses.

One thing to notice

The FAA must decide by November 2028 how to prove phone licenses are real. The bill does not say what happens if someone shows a fake phone license.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.

• Mar 21, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Mar 21, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation”
• Jan 21, 2026 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”
• Jan 21, 2026 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote”
• Mar 24, 2026 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2660)”
• Mar 24, 2026 — Floor vote scheduled · Congress.gov: “Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Words to know

• FAA licenses — Official papers from the government that prove a pilot is trained and allowed to fly
• cloud storage — Files saved on the internet instead of on a phone or computer