How to Renew Your ICAO English Level Before It Expires

Written and reviewed by the ICAO Aviation English Exam team · Updated 10 October 2026 · Read in: English Italiano Español Português Français العربية

When does your ICAO English level expire?

Under EASA rules a language proficiency endorsement has a fixed validity depending on the level you demonstrated:

Level 4 (Operational): valid for 4 years
Level 5 (Extended): valid for 6 years
Level 6 (Expert): no expiry

Check the language proficiency entry on your licence for the exact expiry date. Requirements can differ outside EASA, and your licensing authority confirms the validity it records.

When should you book the reassessment?

Do not leave it to the last week. A good rule is to book your reassessment two to three months before the expiry date. That leaves time to fit the exam around your roster, receive the certificate and complete your authority’s endorsement process, which can take longer than the exam itself.

Your authority, your timeline. Some authorities update the endorsement quickly online, others need forms or an appointment. Check the current process of the authority that issued your licence before you book.

How renewal works, step by step

Check the expiry date of your current language proficiency endorsement.
Request an exam slot and suggest up to three UTC times that fit your roster.
After personal confirmation and payment, complete the official registration with the testing body.
Take the 20-minute online assessment from home or your base.
Receive your result and certificate, normally within 12 hours and no later than 24 hours.
Submit the certificate to your licensing authority and check that the new level and validity are entered correctly.

Can you move up a level when you renew?

Yes. A reassessment is a full assessment, so your result reflects your performance on the day across all six ICAO descriptors. After years of line flying, some pilots who hold Level 4 or 5 demonstrate a higher level at renewal. Reaching Level 6 is especially worthwhile under EASA rules because it has no expiry, so you do not need to renew again.

What if your endorsement has already expired?

Contact your licensing authority straight away and book a new assessment as soon as possible. Without a valid language proficiency endorsement you may not be able to exercise privileges that require it, such as using radiotelephony on international operations. Your authority can tell you exactly what applies to you.

Renew your ICAO English level online

The launch price is €155 (standard price €169). All levels 4–6 included. Flexible UTC scheduling around your roster.

Request a slot

How early can I renew my ICAO English level?

You can take a new assessment at any time. Booking two to three months before expiry is sensible, but check with your licensing authority how it records the new validity date.

Is the renewal exam different from the first exam?

No. The reassessment follows the same format and the same six ICAO descriptors as an initial assessment.

Do I have to renew Level 6?

Under EASA rules Level 6 has no expiry, so no further reassessment is required. Rules can differ outside EASA.

Can my level go down at renewal?

Your result reflects your performance on the day, so it can be higher, the same or lower than before. Preparation such as a mock assessment can help you go in confident.