FAA Ground Instructor currency

Question: Will my attendance at a Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic (FIRC) allow me to receive a signoff renewing my ground instructor certificate to meet the requirements of FAR 61.217?

Answer: According to the FAA, the intent is to have the ground instructor maintain proficiency, and attendance at a FIRC would meet the requirements of 61.217(b). The ground instructor would have the FIRC instructor endorse his logbook at the completion of the course.