CFI Renewal

[John123]

AF online is a good way to go.

I have a question:
My CFI was up in July, so I did AF online in May. When I got my new FAA CFI card in the mail it stated an expiration in May. I thought that if I did the CFI renewal within the 3 calendar months, I could keep the same expiration month. Now it seems like I have to do my CFI renewal in May-2 months sooner than before (which was July).
Anyone know how this works and what went wrong?

you are correct:
(b) The expiration month of a renewed flight instructor certificate shall be 24 calendar months from—
(1) The month the renewal requirements of paragraph (a) of this section are accomplished; or
(2) The month of expiration of the current flight instructor certificate provided—
(i) The renewal requirements of paragraph (a) of this section are accomplished within the 3 calendar months preceding the expiration month of the current flight instructor certificate, and
(ii) If the renewal is accomplished under paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the approved flight instructor refresher course must be completed within the 3 calendar months preceding the expiration month of the current flight instructor certificate.
(c) The practical test required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be accomplished in a flight simulator or flight training device if the test is accomplished pursuant to an approved course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.