350DRIVER,
Short answer: -- It depends--
Example: If a person walks into a FSDO and says "I'm a Captain of Wiss Bang Airlines and I want to renew my CFI". If the inspector does not know who Wiss Bang Airlines is, the renewal will take longer. If a pilot walks in and says, "I'm a captain at United Airlines and I live in Denver." and the Inspector is in the Fargo, North Dakota FSDO, the renewal may take more time.
It is up to the applicant to bring documentation. Have a way for the Inspector to verify they are an Airline Captain at XYZ airlines. Airline ID, Contact name/number to verify they are who they say they are. If it takes two hours/two days/ or two weeks to track this info down, then it does. Have the information in your hand when you walk in or have a way it can be obtained - quick is for your benifit.
Also, the Inspector is to verify the applicant has kept up with Instructor issues, regulations, etc. When I ask if the applicant has a current 61-65D and they say, "what’s that" I get nervous. A renewal means that the applicant can walk out and start teaching in a 2 seat airplane right now. I get airline captains who what to renew their CFI and haven't been in a 2 seat aircraft in 20 years. But they want to start teaching their 16 old daughter next week. I start telling them of all the changes, the rules, requirements, and when I get the deer in the headlight look, I recommend they go back and get some training before they teach again. Or find an instructor who is current.
You don't always hear the whole story on the ramp. So my answer is "It depends"
See the below reference.
Order 8700
Volume 2
CHAPTER 11. CONDUCT A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR INITIAL/REINSTATEMENT/RENEWAL CERTIFICATION AND ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATINGS
B. Methods of Renewal.
(1) A practical test may be waived on the basis of a satisfactory flight instruction record, although the inspector has no personal knowledge of the applicant's activities. Caution is recommended in this situation;
should there be any question, the inspector may wish to check with the applicant's base of activity.
(2) At the discretion of an inspector, a current flight instructor certificate may be renewed wìthout taking a practical test when the inspector has personal knowledge of the applicant's knowledge and competency. An example of evidence that may be presented to support that personal knowledge would be a record of satisfactory completion of a pilot training course or related, aviation-oriented work experience.
17. RENEWAL OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES - SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
B. Methods of Renewal.
(b) A record of flight instruction as a chief instructor, designated check pilot, or airline captain may be accepted, provided the applicant is found to have an adequate knowledge of current flight instructor responsibilities, training procedures, and pilot certification requirements.
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HBGA 01-02 Guidance For Renewal And Reinstatement Of Faa Flight Instructor Certificates
3. ACTION. An ASI or DPE shall select tasks from the list below, which has been taken from the appropriate Flight Instructor Practical Test Standard (PTS), to evaluate applicants' competence to continue to hold their flight instructor certificate. The below listed areas of operation and tasks are the minimum required that an applicant must be tested on during the practical test. An ASI or DPE may select additional tasks, as necessary, to determine applicants' competency and proficiency to hold their flight instructor certificate. The renewal or reinstatement of one of the ratings listed on the applicant's flight instructor certificate shall renew all ratings listed on that flight instructor certificate.
---A big, long list I did not include------
