All professional pilots are required to take regular proficiency checks to ensure that they are operating competently and complying with standard operating procedures.

The initial proficiency check is valid for six months from the end of the month in which it is issued.

This means that if the initial proficiency check is completed on 15th January it will be valid until the end of July.

If the subsequent re-check is taken within the last three months of validity of the current proficiency check it will be valid from the date of the test up to six months after the expiry of the current qualification.

This means that if the current proficiency check is valid up to the end of July and the re-test is taken during May, June or July the new proficiency check will be valid from the date of re-test until the end of January.