Two different ways to earn a Gold Seal depending on if you’re a Sport rated CFI, or not.
Documented in AC 61-65.
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_61-65G.pdf
Generally it means the instructor holds specific certificates and did a high enough level of training activity to qualify for it. It imparts no special privileges and could have been thirty years ago, or yesterday. Once a Gold Seal, always a Gold Seal.
There’s also other organizations that will impart other “certificates” to instructors, usually titles like “Master” etc.
And there’s a business operating under the name “Gold Seal” for flight instruction as well. Two of their instructors post here from time to time so they could answer whether or not all of their instructors hold the FAA version or not, but they’re all good instructors and they’re working hard on their program.
From the AC:
“GOLD SEAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES OTHER THAN FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS WITH A SPORT PILOT RATING. Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 2, Section 13, Issue a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate, contains the specific requirements for the Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate other than flight instructors with a sport pilot rating. Flight instructor certificates bearing distinctive
gold seals are issued to flight instructors who have maintained a high level of flight training activity and who meet special criteria. Once issued, a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate will be reissued each time the instructor’s certificate is renewed. Applicants for Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificates must meet the following requirements:
1. The flight instructor must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (glider flight instructors need not hold an instrument rating) or an ATP certificate;
2. The flight instructor must hold a ground instructor certificate with an advanced or instrument ground instructor rating; and
3. The flight instructor must have accomplished the following within the previous 24 calendar-months:
• Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, and at least 80 percent of the applicants passed their tests on the first attempt;
• Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a DPE, or graduation tests as chief instructor of a part 141 approved pilot school course; or
• A combination of the above requirements. Two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test.
GOLD SEAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES WITH A SPORT PILOT RATING. Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 2, Section 12, Administer a Practical Test for a Title 14 CFR Part 61 Initial, Renewal, or Reinstatement for a Flight Instructor with a Sport Pilot Rating, contains specific requirements for the Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate with a sport pilot rating. Flight instructor certificates bearing distinctive
gold seals are issued to flight instructors who have maintained a high level of flight training activity and who meet special criteria. Once issued, a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate will be reissued each time the instructor’s certificate is renewed. Applicants for Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificates with a sport pilot rating must meet the following requirements:
1. The flight instructor must hold at least a sport pilot certificate;
2. The flight instructor must hold a ground instructor certificate with a basic ground instructor rating; and
3. The flight instructor must have accomplished one of the following within the previous 24 months:
• Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for an original certificate with at least 80 percent of those applicants recommended passing the practical test on the first attempt;
• Conducted at least 20 certification practical tests as an examiner or conducted 20 certification graduation tests as a chief flight instructor for an approved pilot school course; or
• A combination of the above requirements. Two certification practical tests/certification graduation tests equate to one trained and recommended applicant.”