The specific requirements for the gold seal flight instructor certificate (except those with a sport pilot rating) are contained in FAA Order 8700.1, General Aviation Operations Inspector's Handbook, volume 2, chapter 13 and FAA Order 8710.3, Designated Pilot and Flight Engineer Examiner's Handbook, chapter 14.

Flight instructor certificates bearing distinctive gold seals are issued to flight instructors who have maintained a high level of flight training activity and who meet special criteria. Once issued, a gold seal flight instructor certificate will be reissued each time the instructor's certificate is renewed. Applicants for gold seal flight instructor certificates must meet the following requirements:

1. The flight instructor must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (glider flight instructors need not hold an instrument rating) or an ATP certificate;
2. The flight instructor must hold a ground instructor certificate with an advanced or instrument ground instructor rating; and
3. The flight instructor must have accomplished the following within the previous 24 calendar-months:
   • Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, and at least 80 percent of the applicants passed their tests on the first attempt;
   • Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a designated pilot examiner, or graduation tests as chief instructor of a 14 CFR part 141 approved pilot school course; or
   • A combination of the above requirements (two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test).