You must replace them with plastic certificates. FAR 61.19(h) reads: Duration of pilot certificates. Except for a temporary certificate issued under §61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of this section, the holder of a paper pilot certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2010. REMOVING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AS YOUR CERTIFICATE NUMBER: If your Social Security number is your pilot certificate number you can have your SSN removed and new certificates issued at no charge by applying online at http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/airmen_services/ and selecting "Create an Account".