In article , "Kim"
writes:

Whoops, I came into this thread late, Jim, so please forgive (I had to find
another thread with a semblance of logic to it...whew).

That's a BIG job, Kim!

OK, I notice that
the poster said his license is now expired (but I'm not sure if how long
it's been expired).

He's beyond the grace period.

I am "coaching" a former ham. His license expired well over 2 years ago and
he was a pre-1987 Technician. I told him he needs to re-enter the hobby
fresh, as if he'd never been there.

Was I right?

To put it delicately - it depends.

If he can find his old license, and the dates on it prove he was a pre-1987
Tech, then he only needs to pass Element 2 (Tech written, 35 Q) to get a
General. That old expired license carries credit for 5 wpm code and General
written, as I read Part 97.

If he goes for Extra he only needs Element 2 and Element 4

If he can't find his old license, things get a bit more involved.

73 de Jim, N2EY