Flying a drone commercially in the US requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107. There is no shortcut, no provisional path, and no exception for small drones or low-altitude operations. If you are getting paid to fly (for real estate, film, inspection, or anything else), you need the certificate.
The good news: it is a knowledge test, not a flight test. You study, you take a 60-question exam at an approved testing center, and you are certified. Most pilots pass on their first attempt with 2-4 weeks of focused preparation.
Here is exactly how to do it.
What Part 107 Covers
The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate authorizes you to fly small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) commercially in the US national airspace. "Small" means under 55 lbs at takeoff. The certificate does not authorize BVLOS operations, flight over people without additional Category authorization, or operations in certain restricted airspace without separate approval.
It does authorize you to:
- Accept payment for drone operations
- Fly in Class G airspace up to 400 ft AGL
- Fly in controlled airspace with LAANC or DroneZone authorization
- Fly at night with anti-collision lights (amended 2021, no waiver required)
- Operate from moving vehicles in sparsely populated areas
Eligibility Requirements
Before you schedule the exam, confirm you meet the basic requirements:
- At least 16 years old
- Able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Physically and mentally fit to safely operate a small UAS
- Not in a condition that would interfere with safe operation
There is no citizenship requirement. Non-US citizens can hold a Part 107 certificate.
What the Exam Covers
The FAA Airman Knowledge Test for Part 107 is 60 questions, multiple choice, with a 2-hour time limit. The passing score is 70% (42 correct). Topics covered:
- Airspace classification: the bulk of the exam. Know Class A through G, dimensions, entry requirements, and what each class means for drone operations.
- Aviation weather: reading METARs, TAFs, and surface analysis charts. Understanding ceiling, visibility, wind, and fog conditions.
- Airport operations: runway numbering, traffic patterns, light signals, taxiway markings.
- Part 107 regulations: operating limits, PIC responsibilities, waivers, and registration requirements.
- Emergency procedures: lost link, fly-away, and radio failure scenarios.
- Crew resource management: communication between PIC and visual observer.
- Radio communication: standard phraseology, frequencies, and when communication is required.
- Aeronautical decision-making: evaluating risk, go/no-go decisions, and situational awareness.
- Sectional chart reading: identifying airspace boundaries, obstacles, and special use areas on VFR sectional charts.
- Aircraft performance: density altitude, weight and balance, performance limitations.
Sectional chart reading and airspace classification together account for roughly 40% of the exam. Prioritize these.
Study Resources
Free:
- FAA Part 107 Study Guide: the official guide, covers everything on the exam
- FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam): free online courses including the UAS courses
- Pilot Institute free videos: YouTube channel with exam-specific breakdowns
Paid:
- Pilot Institute Part 107 Course: widely recommended, ~$150, includes practice tests with explanations
- Tony Northrup's drone course: more affordable, good for visual learners
- Gleim Part 107 Test Prep: traditional aviation study guide approach, strong on regulations
Most pilots who pass on the first attempt used either the official FAA guide plus practice tests, or a paid course. Two to four weeks of study averaging one to two hours per day is a typical timeline.
Scheduling and Taking the Exam
The exam is administered at FAA-approved testing centers (PSI/CATS). Find a center at faa.psiexams.com. The test fee is $175. You do not need an existing pilot certificate to take it.
What to bring:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your FTN (FAA Tracking Number): create a free account at IACRA.faa.gov before your test date
- Credit card for the test fee if not pre-paid
You can use a calculator and scratch paper. Sectional chart excerpts are provided as part of the exam questions; you do not need to memorize specific sectional features, only how to read them.
Results are immediate. Pass, and you receive a temporary certificate on paper. The plastic certificate arrives by mail within a few weeks.
After You Pass: Registration and IACRA
Passing the exam is not enough to fly commercially. You also need to:
Register your drone at faadronezone.faa.gov. Any drone 0.55 lbs or heavier requires FAA registration. Cost: $5 per drone, valid for 3 years. Your registration number must be physically affixed to the aircraft.
Complete your certificate application in IACRA within 90 days of passing the exam. Log in at iacra.faa.gov, find your exam record, and submit the certificate application. Your certificate is not issued until this step is complete.
Verify your certificate once issued via the FAA Airmen Inquiry tool. Keep a copy (digital is fine) accessible during all commercial operations.
Renewing Your Certificate
Part 107 certificates do not expire, but you must complete a free recurrent training every 24 months to maintain currency for commercial operations. The recurrent training is available free online through the FAA Safety Team at faasafety.gov. It takes approximately two hours and covers regulatory updates since your original certification.
What the Certificate Does Not Cover
The Part 107 certificate is a starting point, not a blanket authorization. After certification you will still need to:
- Obtain LAANC or DroneZone authorization before flying in controlled airspace
- Check for active TFRs before every flight
- Apply for waivers before operating over people, beyond visual line of sight, or from moving vehicles in populated areas
- Obtain separate authorization for operations in national parks, wildlife refuges, and other restricted zones
Knowing the rules is what the exam tests. Applying them before every flight is what keeps your certificate.
Not Flying Commercially? You Need TRUST Instead
For the full recreational pilot guide, see TRUST: The FAA Safety Test Every Recreational Drone Pilot Must Complete.
Part 107 covers commercial operations. If you fly purely for fun (not for money, not for your employer) you are a recreational flyer operating under 49 U.S.C. §44809, and Part 107 does not apply to you.
Recreational flyers are required to complete TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) instead. TRUST is free, takes about 20 minutes, and must be completed before your first recreational flight. You must carry proof of completion and present it to FAA or law enforcement on request.
Key differences between Part 107 and §44809 recreational flying:
| | Part 107 (Commercial) | §44809 (Recreational) | |---|---|---| | Certification | Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 exam) | TRUST (free, ~20 min) | | Carry proof | Certificate + government ID | TRUST completion proof | | Night flying | Permitted with anti-collision lights | Same | | Controlled airspace | LAANC or DroneZone waiver | LAANC or DroneZone | | Remote ID | Required (except inside FRIA) | Same | | Flying for pay | Allowed | Not allowed |
Take TRUST at an FAA-approved provider: AMA, UAV Coach, or find the full list at faa.gov.
UAS SkyCheck helps you apply your Part 107 knowledge before every flight. Airspace class, TFRs, restricted zones, weather, and a preflight safety score in one check. Try it free at uas-skycheck.app, no account required.
Regulations referenced: 14 CFR Part 107. FAA testing: faa.psiexams.com. Certificate application: iacra.faa.gov. Registration: faadronezone.faa.gov. Always verify current requirements at faa.gov.